Aquaponics in my classroom

[Robby Jacobson]

Hello,

 

I have been facinated by aquaponics, areoponics and hydroponics since our family trip to Disney world when I was a youngster. Ever since my first year of teaching, I've wanted to put in a hydroponic systen in my classroom. Let's just say it was frowned upon. Finally after finding my place after three districts, and our movement towards STEM related curriculum I am taking the plunge. I accuired a fish tank from the HS science teacher and came up with a plan.

I finally have gotten it built and I am at the cycling stage. I am deciding on ammonia or starter kit sold here... Any sugestions?

 

Well here are some pictures. Let me  know what you think.

Robby

[TCLynx]

First, Welcome, It's good to hear about Aquaponics in the class room.

Do you have a test kit?  If no, you might as well order one of those from The Aquaponics Source at the same time and get one of the small cycle up kits at the same time.  If you already have a freshwater master test kit, then you can get a jug of pure ammonia from Ace hardware (or perhaps even the janitor's supplies at the school.)

 

Tip, you can post pictures directly into your posts rather than having them as separate attachments, it is the second button from the left at the top of the post box next to the link button.

like this

Now on a quick glance, you may run into some difficulty by not having a gravel guard around your siphon bell.  It is often handy to be able to pull the bell out and clear roots away from the stand pipe but that may be difficult if the rocks are going to fall into the way and make it difficult to put the bell back in.

 

Those rocks look rather large but too big is probably better than too small.

[Robby Jacobson]

Thanks for the welcome. 

I saw how to post pictures directly the posts after I submitted this one. Duh I should looked before I posted.

The rocks are river rock from my yard, I know that are not suggested but they were free and I in the experimenting phase.

I am going to try growing plants directly in the rocks and in some net baskets that I have. 

There is a gravel guard there, slim lined. I will get some pics posted tomorrow  of it.

I have been running it for a few days to work out the kinks and so far the siphon has been working great. Kids are not fond of the toilet sound, though. 

Robby

TCLynx said:

First, Welcome, It's good to hear about Aquaponics in the class room.

Do you have a test kit?  If no, you might as well order one of those from The Aquaponics Source at the same time and get one of the small cycle up kits at the same time.  If you already have a freshwater master test kit, then you can get a jug of pure ammonia from Ace hardware (or perhaps even the janitor's supplies at the school.)

 

Tip, you can post pictures directly into your posts rather than having them as separate attachments, it is the second button from the left at the top of the post box next to the link button.

like this

Now on a quick glance, you may run into some difficulty by not having a gravel guard around your siphon bell.  It is often handy to be able to pull the bell out and clear roots away from the stand pipe but that may be difficult if the rocks are going to fall into the way and make it difficult to put the bell back in.

 

Those rocks look rather large but too big is probably better than too small.

[TCLynx]

LOL.  (about the toilet sound)

 

got a gravel guard, that is good since you will occasionally have to pull the bell out.

[Robby Jacobson]

Here is a pic of the gravel guard.