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112664
Aquaponics System II
A balance between hydroponic vegetable production and
fish rearing, GS Series I Aquaponics Systems allow you
to produce high-quality produce and fish through the
process of combining a hydroponic-growing system with a
fish-producing aquaculture tank.
©2015 FarmTek
®
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction
is prohibited without permission.
Revision date: 12.23.15
*
112664
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM II
*Actual system may differ from what is shown.
1

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Summary of Contents for FarmTek Growers supply Aquaponics System II

  • Page 1 112664 AQUAPONICS SYSTEM II ©2015 FarmTek ® *Actual system may differ from what is shown. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited without permission.
  • Page 2 Important Information READ THIS DOCUMENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing the 112664 Aquaponics system. When properly assembled and maintained, this system will provide years of reliable service. These instructions include helpful hints and important information needed to safely assemble and properly maintain the system. Please read and understand these instructions before you begin.
  • Page 3 Important Information PICTORIAL GUIDE The following graphics and photos will help identify the different parts of the aquaponics system. (Some parts may not be shown.) Keep all fittings in the shipping bags until they are needed. 100442 112366 111153 FA4472B 102921B FALB34B 111906...
  • Page 4: Assembly Procedures

    Getting Started ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES BASIC CARE AND MAINTENANCE Below are the main steps to assemble your aquaponics system. Procedures Daily can occur simultaneously when assistants are available, or each procedure 1. Check all fittings, tubes, and pipes for leaks. can be completed before moving onto the next. In most instances, the site and available space drive which procedures can be completed first before moving 2.
  • Page 5: Basic Requirements

    Aquaponic System Site Plan—Sample The diagram below shows the basic layout of the 112664 aquaponics system. Use this diagram when planning where to position your system. Review all diagrams and photos in this guide before you begin. ATTENTION: Diagram below shows the recommended system layout. Increasing the distance between tanks or between the tanks and float bed may require the purchase of additional pvc tubing and/or fittings.
  • Page 6 Frame Dimension Diagrams ATTENTION: Measure the long tubes. They are different lengths. 104-1/2" Evenly Spaced 101" Inside-to-Inside S15P016 Tube (16") All Corners 97" 100-1/2" Wall Inside-to-Inside 112375 Tube (15-3/4") Vertical Supports 110611 Sidewall 3-Way Insert Evenly All Corners Spaced Install vertical tube tight against the 3-way corner insert.
  • Page 7 Assemble the Float Bed Frame ATTENTION: Do not install any FA4472B Tek screw Use the photos below and the diagrams on the previous along the top edge of the float bed frame. This surface page to assemble the frame. is reserved for the installation of the float bed liner. Required parts: •...
  • Page 8 Assemble the Float Bed Frame–continued Square the Assembled Float Bed Frame After assembly, check all connections to verify that Tek screws are properly installed. Next, measure corner-to-corner diagonally as shown. When dimensions are the same, frame is square. Finally, level the frame. Prepare the site inside frame if not on a solid surface such as wood or concrete. Revision date: 12.23.15...
  • Page 9 Insulate Float Bed Frame Insulate the Float Bed Frame Once the frame is level, use the rigid board insulation to insulate the sides of the frame and the surface that supports the bed liner. The frame shown in the example below may differ from the actual frame.
  • Page 10 Install Tek Foil Liner Install Tek Foil Inside Frame After installing the rigid board insulation, add the Tek foil. Use the supplied duct tape to hold the foil in place during installation. Overlap the seams as needed to ensure proper coverage. Neatly fold foil at the corners to allow for an easier installation of the bed liner. Revision date: 12.23.15...
  • Page 11 Install Float Bed Heat Tubing ATTENTION: Regardless of float bed size, follow these general guidelines: • Maximum length of any tube loop should not exceed 300'; • There should be at least two (2) loops per float bed; If needed, consult the services of a qualified contractor familiar with the installation of similar heating systems.
  • Page 12 Install Float Bed Liner Once the liner bed is prepared, continue with the installation of the liner. Assistants are required. Required Parts: ATTENTION: During the installation of the liner, do not drop • 110097S2 Liner (12' x 13') any tools or sharp objects into the liner bed. Doing so can puncture the liner! Exercise caution! •...
  • Page 13 Install Float Bed Liner–continued ATTENTION: During the installation of the liner, do not drop any tools or sharp objects into the liner bed. Doing so can LINER INSTALLATION—CONTINUED puncture the liner! Exercise caution! 6. Cut the material as needed to allow it to fit 7.
  • Page 14 Prepare and Install Aluminum Retaining Strap Take the 112480 aluminum flat stock and mark the mounting hole locations according to the diagram below. Use a 1/4" drill bit to drill the fastener holes in the center of the stock at 8" on-center. Do not drill these around or on the float bed frame or liner. Doing so can cause filings to drop into the water.
  • Page 15 Prepare the Secondary Filter for the Biofiltration Tank Prepare Secondary Filter When installed, the secondary filter helps remove solids from the water in your aquaponics system. Place this filter in the biofiltration tank on top of the netting inside the tank. Complete these steps to cut the filter from the bulk 112747 material sent with your system.
  • Page 16 Tank Plumbing and Installation The assembly of the fish-holding tanks and filter tanks can occur simultaneously depending on the number of assistants. To better understand the overall plumbing of the system, review all of the diagrams and photos on the following pages before you begin. After review, gather the different components, set the tank frames and tanks, and plumb the system.
  • Page 17 Install Tank Fittings and Seals Before you begin setting up your system, take each tank and install the 1-1/2" bulkhead fitting in the bottom. Next, using the diagrams on the following page, install the seals in the remaining holes. 112965 (1-1/2") Bulkhead Fitting Install a 112965 (1-1/2") bulkhead fitting in bottom of each tank:...
  • Page 18 Install Tank Fittings and Seals—continued After installing all 1-1/2" bulkhead fittings in the bottom of each tank, continue by installing the 1" and 1-1/2" Uniseals®. Press these seals into the pre-drilled holes from outside the tank. ATTENTION: Depending on location, most tanks require one or more Uniseals®—1" or 1-1/2". 112710 (1") 112367 (1-1/2") UniSeals...
  • Page 19 Install Pipes Inside the Tanks See shaded pipe in large tanks Mineralization Tank: for standpipe locations. Plumbing Follow these steps to prepare and install the plumbing inside the fish-holding tanks and mineralization tank: 8" WF2198 WF8585 1. Cut a section of 1-1/2" pvc tubing (WF4140) that reaches from 2"...
  • Page 20 Upper Connecting Pipes—Between the Tanks Install the plumbing between the tanks. 1. Set the tank frames in position using the layout diagram as a guide. See page 5. When filled, tanks are heavy! Position all tank frames on a level, solid surface. Level all tanks before filling with water.
  • Page 21 Assemble Lower Manifolds Return Manifold The return manifolds and related plumbing direct the WF2198 water to the biofiltration and mineralization tanks. All 112366 return manifolds for the large, fish-holding tanks are 45° Elbow the same. There are also drain manifold assemblies for the smaller filter and mineralization tanks.
  • Page 22 Assemble Lower Manifolds—continued Photo to the right shows the lower manifold connections for the large fish-holding tanks for the aquaponics system. Minor adjustments may be required depending on tank positions. Length of pvc pipe may differ from what is shown. Tank positions, overall layout, and location of float bed will affect pipe length.
  • Page 23 Install 1" Overflow Pipe to Biofiltration Tank Install the 1" overflow pipe above the horizontal 1-1/2" pvc pipe that connects the two fish-holding tanks adjacent to the filter tanks. This pipe runs to the ground, over to the base of the biofiltration tank, and up to the top of tank. Construct the overflow pipe assembly using the 1" pvc tubing (WF4135) and 1"...
  • Page 24 Install 1-1/2" Return Pipe to Filter Tank Using the WF4140 pvc tubing, install the 1-1/2" return pipe assemblies. Use the photos to route these from the return manifolds of each bank of fish-holding tanks to the biofiltration tank. WF1574 (1-1/2") WF3511 Connecting Pipe Return Pipe...
  • Page 25 Connect 1-1/2" Supply Lines from Pump to Tanks The 1-1/2" pvc supply line runs from the outlet side of the water pump to each fish-holding tank. FALB34B WF1574 (1-1/2") WF1384 WF3511 111906 112817 Complete these steps: 1. Review the diagrams and photos to determine the position of the main supply line from the water pump to the fish-holding tanks.
  • Page 26 Connect 1-1/2" Supply Lines from Pump to Tanks–continued To secure each supply line over the fish-holding tanks, construct the mounting brackets as shown below. Cut threaded rods to same length to keep pipes level over tanks. Use a socket and drill to drive the 111906 mounting nut into the tank frame.
  • Page 27 Connect Main Water Pump WARNING: Enlist the services of an experienced electrician CONNECTION MAIN WATER PUMP when connecting power to the pump. All wiring to be completed according to established codes and After assembling the main water supply lines and securing the overhead practices.
  • Page 28 Connect Main Water Pump CONNECTION MAIN WATER PUMP—continued 4. Assemble the 1-1/2" pvc supply manifold using the parts shown and connect it to the outlet side of the main pump and to the main supply lines to the fish-holding tanks. (See diagram on the previous page.) 5.
  • Page 29 Install Air Pumps, Tubes, and Air Stones The air pumps supply oxygen to tanks and the float bed to improve water quality and oxygen levels. Complete the following steps to install the air pumps and related tubing. Customer is responsible for supplying a mounting surface for the pump and fasteners to secure pump to surface. Requirements: •...
  • Page 30: Top View

    Install Air Pumps, Tubes, and Air Stones–continued PUMP #2: Use eight (8) air stones for this float bed. Evenly Use the information and diagram below to position the pumps and install position stones throughout the bed. Do not position any stone the correct number of air stones in the float bed and correct tanks.
  • Page 31: Final System Check

    Final System Check and Getting Started FINAL SYSTEM CHECK After the system is completely assembled, follow the guidelines below to complete a final check. ATTENTION: This manual describes how to set up your aquaponics system and check for proper operation. Additional information is presented regarding the basic maintenance of the system.
  • Page 32 Prepare Biofiltration Tank Prepare the Biofiltration Tank When prepared, this tank includes a primary and secondary filter, inside filter material (109758), and bacteria (customer-supplied) to filter the water. Additional information is presented to help you jump start the biofiltration tank. Complete the steps that follow to prepare the biofiltration tank.
  • Page 33 Biofilter Start-Up and the Primary Filter 5. Never modify multiple parameters when troubleshooting the system. Choose one, make an adjustment, allow the system to equalize, and check the results. Biofilter Start-Up Information 6. Look for dead fish. If fish are dead, check water chemistry and follow JUMP START YOUR BIOFILTRATION TANK: One way to “jump start”...
  • Page 34 Prepare Plant Rafts Prepare Plant Rafts The templates below show two of many different ways to prepare the plant rafts. (There are other patterns.) Each has its advantages. Determine the best pattern for your growing needs and prepare the 4' x 8' rigid foam boards as needed.
  • Page 35 Prepare and Install Slip Cap on Tube Between Fish Tanks The 1" and 1-1/2" pvc slip caps are used to prevent small fish from passing between the tanks when fish are present. Install one prepared cap at the end of each pipe that connects the fish-holding tanks at the top. (Only one cap is needed for each pipe.) Remove caps when fish get too large to fit in a 1-1/2"...
  • Page 36 Install the Siphon Tubes Install Siphon Tubes Siphon tubes slide over the standpipe in each fish-holding tank. As the system operates, water fills each tank and flows out the standpipes to the clarifier tanks in large systems or biofiltration tanks in smaller systems. Siphon tubes keep fish from swimming into the standpipes while allowing water to pass through side slots or side holes near the bottom of each tube.
  • Page 37 Cover Fish Tanks Fish can sometimes jump out of the holding tanks. For smaller fish, cover each holding tank with a couple layers of the 109758 netting that shipped with your system. For larger fish, a single layer typically works. It is always best to monitor tanks and fish to determine if additional net layers are needed to keep the fish in the tanks.
  • Page 38 Maintenance: Flush In-Tank Standpipe To prevent sediment buildup and fluctuations in water quality, flush the in- tank standpipe weekly. Complete the steps that follow. 1. Turn off the water pump. 2. Attach a hose to the end of the drain Drain Pipe pipe (A) if desired.
  • Page 39 Full Profile: Supply Plumbing ATTENTION: Distance between tanks has been exaggerated WF6684 to better shown the plumbing. Depending on size and position, tanks are typically set 1' to 2' apart. Greater distances may require the purchase of additional pvc tubing. WF1384 Plumbing identified by the black tubing is the supply pipe from the pump to the fish-holding tanks.
  • Page 40 Full Profile: Return Plumbing ATTENTION: Distance between tanks has been exaggerated to better shown the plumbing. Depending on size and position, tanks are typically set 1' to 2' apart. Greater distances may require the purchase of additional pvc tubing. Plumbing identified by the black tubing is the return pipe from the tanks to the float bed.
  • Page 41 Full Profile: Overflow and Water Level Plumbing ATTENTION: Distance between tanks has been exaggerated 112285 to better shown the plumbing. Depending on size and position, tanks are typically set 1' to 2' apart. Greater distances may require the purchase of additional pvc tubing. Plumbing identified by the black tubing is the overflow and water level plumbing.
  • Page 42 PAGE RESERVED FOR CUSTOMER NOTES AND RECORDS Revision date: 12.23.15...
  • Page 43 PAGE RESERVED FOR CUSTOMER NOTES AND RECORDS Revision date: 12.23.15...

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