Building the System

In the first step, basic materials such as the water tank, grow beds, PV pipes, and the pump were gathered and prepped. The PV pipes had to be cut to a suitable length and have holes/slits cut into it to allow for proper drainage. In addition, a hole needed to be drilled into the grow beds to create a place for the the bell siphon (pipe) to sit.

In the second step, the expanded clay pellets (hydroton) needed to be washed to ensure the water was clean enough for fishes to live in.

In the third step, the pipe was inserted into the hole that was previously drilled into the grow beds and sealed tightly with a washer. The cleaned hydroton pellets were then added into the grow beds.

In the fourth step, after the grow beds and water tank were placed in it's appropriate space, water was added into the water tank.

In the fifth step, lights were added to the system since it is hosted indoors and cannot reach natural sunlight. A timer ensures the plants receive light during the afternoons or weekends when nobody can monitor the system.

In the sixth step, the pipes with adjustable valves were attached to the pump and placed above the grow beds to start the closed loop water process. The lights and pump are the only things that use energy.

In the seventh step, Manoa lettuce were placed in slitted pots and planted into the media.

At this point, the set up of the system is completed and is ready to start up a biofilter and insert fish after.

Lastly, it is important to do regular water quality testing to ensure the water conditions are ideal to sustain two types of life forms.