Japan Aquaponics - Micro System 4 - I think we might have cracked it!

[Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本]

Hello everyone,

 

I have just looked at the front page and I have to apologise for seeming to take up half of it with various photos, videos, updates etc... it seemed they were everywhere so sorry for hogging the white space!

 

As you may have gathered from previous posts, I am trying very hard to put together a micro system that could be used in schools in Japan, but particularly we want to donate them to schools in the regions that were severely affected by the earthquake in March of this year.  We had certain criteria for these systems... they had to be:

 

• Cheap!
• Using readily available materials
• Sturdy enough for school life
• Attractive enough to be a good representation of aquaponics
• Simple enough for a 4 or 5 year old to manage!

 

Aquaponics really does not exist in Japan in any recognisable form and so we are also hoping that these units will be helpful to demonstrate the principles of aquaponics easily.

 

The latest model is one that I am particularly pleased with.  It is made primarily from a product that is available in a big retailer here in Japan - already tested and certified - and once modified seems to do the trick really well.  It is very easy to set up and maintain... and the price we estimate will come in at less than $150 (US) for the complete system.

 

This system we tested today and it worked absolutely beautifully.  The siphon went on and off like a charm, although it should be even better when we add a T-adapter at the bottom elbow, and a ball valve to regulate the flow to the grow bed and the remaining water splashing back into the tank.

 

Here is a video that I put together for this system as well:

 

 

Please do let me know what you think of this model, and I very much welcome any suggestions the forum might have.  We are currently trying to find out if there are any available grants to be able to donate as many of these as possible - we will also be soliciting donations from friends, family, colleagues etc to try and raise more money to send these to schools, teacher and kids who might value them.

 

Thanks for reading, and please do leave a comment letting me know what you think.

[Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本]

Thanks Brian... I nearly called the post IKEAponics but I wasn't sure if people in the US or some other areas would understand!  This is such a cheap mini-system though... well within the budget of most people... and anyone who is interested in starting aquaponics.  The bell siphon on this works so beautifully... I love watching it!  It is a good learning tool and it does deliver maximum oxygen to the beds to encourage microbial and plant growth.  I also made it work with an old jam jar, a used fish food plastic container, and a $1 modified squeezy bottle usually used for things like ketchup... anything goes!

[Brian]

I'm a big fan of using a stand pipe versus the bell siphon for simplicity, but I admire your creativity.

[Brian]

Nice idea. I think I'll take a trip to Ikea for some "research". I would like to scale it a little bigger.