Aquaponics /ˈækwəˈpɒnɨks /, is a food production system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrogen-fixing bacteria into nitrates and nitrites, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients. The water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics
This build uses the IBC method of Aquaponics, with modifications to include a Raspberry Pi for controlling a pump, solenoid drain, and temperature probes for water and air temperatures. The relays and timing is controlled with python scripting. Temperature and control data is collected every minute and sent to plot.ly for graphing, and future expansion will include sensors for water level and PH values for additional control.
All of my scripts are available at github.com, feel free to use them for your aquaponics setup. Thanks to Chris @ plot.ly for the help with streaming data to their service, and to the amazingly detailed build instructions provided at IBCofAquaponics.com.
Step 1: Materials
Aquaponics:
- IBC Shipping Container, prepared using instructions at http://ibcofaquaponics.com/
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System:
- Raspberry PI Adafruit
- SainSmart 8-Channel Relay Module Amazon
- Brass Liquid Solenoid Valve Adafruit
- DS18b20 Waterproof Temperature Sensors Adafruit
- Long range WiFi Adapter Amazon
Shed:
- 4x4s, 2x4s, 2×6, Cedar wood fence planks
For more detail: Raspberry Pi Controlled Aquaponics
