assembling a vertical aquaponics system
DESCRIPTION
A how to video about creating the racks for the vertical grow aquaponics system. Learn more about ZipGrow towers here: http://brightagrotech.com/zipgrow/TRANSCRIPT
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Required Tools
Tape measure Square Screws 1-1/8” spade bit
Drill Skilsaw Pipe cutter
You Will Need…
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Parts & Pieces
8 x 5’ towers
2 x 12’ 2”x4” lumber
4 x 10’ 2”x4” lumber
2” drain pipe3 x 10’ steel
conduit
2 x 5’ gutter
4 gutter caps2 x 3/4” drain
fitting
3/4” drain pipe
2” Ell adaptors
8 Hanging Hooks
3/4” or 1/2” Black Poly Irrigation Tubing
55 Gallon Sump Tank
275-335 gallon IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container)
Pump
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting Lumber to Size
Cut 3 x 10’ boards & 2 x 6’ boards in half
6’ Lengths
3 X 5’ Lengths
Step 1
Remaining 10’ board (uncut)
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction
5’ Piece
6’ Pieces
Screw 5’ piece to face of frame (2 screws)
Make sure the frame is square
2 Extra 5’ Pieces
Step 2
Step 3
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction Cont’d
Screw second 5’ board to back of frame (2 screws)
Step 4
Remaining 5’ cross brace
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Frame Construction
Bisect remaining 5’ board at a 45 degree
angle to make the cross braces
Step 5
2.5’ cross braces
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Strengthening the FrameStep 6
Insert cross brace in between base boards
Step 7
Ensure 45 degree angle is married up to 6’ frame and
between base boards
Insert screws at base boards and cross
brace
Step 8
Remaining cross brace
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Frame
Step 9
Repeat steps 6-8 to complete the frame.
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Drilling the Holes for Steel Conduit
Bore holes into 6’ supports using 1 1/8” spade bit
Step 10
Step 11
Repeat steps 2-10 to construct second
rack
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Creating the In-Ground Sump TankStep 12
Dig hole for sump
Make sure the tank rests below ground
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPOICS SYSTEM
Running the Return Line
Place 2” return pipe to drain into sump
Step 13
*Optional to dig trough for drainage pipe to keep drain
level
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump ConstructionStep 14
Place first side of rack toward the
sump tank
Rack is perpendicular to return pipe
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump Construction
Place second side of rack
opposite of sump tank
Step 15
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting the Conduit to Size
Gather 3 X 10’ steel conduit
Step 16
2 x 10’ conduit
2 x 5’ conduit
Step 17
Cut 1 conduit into 2 x 5’ lengths
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Inserting the Conduit
Run steel conduit through rack
holes
Step 18
*This may require forcing the conduit into the holes
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Rack
Step 19
Fasten conduit cross pieces with zip ties
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Getting the Gutter Ready
Step 20
Bore 3/4” drain hole in gutter
End caps X2
Add drain fitting; (may require PVC
glue)
Step 21
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Constructing the Drain
Place gutters (with caps) perpendicular to return pipe
Step 22
Bore hole in 2” return pipe to match gutter drainage
hole
Step 23
leveling 2”x4” (varied
size)
Place 2”x4” leveling piece on opposite sump tank to ensure draining gradient
Step 24
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Hanging the Towers
Hang the towers so they drain into the
gutter
Step 25
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Pump and IBC Placement
Place IBC next to drain pipe
Step 26
Drain via S.L.O. (solids lifting overflow)
Place pump in sump
Step 27
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Installing IBC Drain
Step 28
Cut the 3/4” PVC pipe and attach both Ell
adaptors to insert into IBC and sump
*We recommend using PVC glue to bind the pipe and Ell adaptors
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Insert 3/4” poly tubing into IBC
Step 29
Insert 3/4” poly tubing into pump located on
bottom of sump
Step 30
Use a Tee to split the tubing into sump
Step 31
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Add valve for pressure control
Run irrigation line down 6’ beam with zip
ties
Step 31
Step 32
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line across 5’ base
beam
Step 33
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line up adjacent 6’ beam
Step 34
*Optional valve placement
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line up adjacent 6’ beam
Connect tubing together using valves
Step 34 cont’d
Step 35
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line along conduit and
turn it along the end without kinking the
tubing !
*Snake along the conduit in a
serpentine pattern
Step 35
*Irrigation line ends here
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Step 36Punch holes into tubing directly above towers
(about 18” apart)
Add drip emitters (7-10 gal/hr) into punched
holes
Step 37
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ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
The Completed System
Congratulations! Now you are ready to produce fresh, healthy, vertically
grown food!