120 min · module 03 of 06
Build the System: From IKEA Bin to Greenhouse
Engineering your own block's farm.
Watch & Learn
Small DIY Aquaponics: System Overview
Learning Objectives
- 01.Identify the 4 core components of any aquaponics system.
- 02.Compare media-bed, NFT, and DWC designs.
- 03.Build a tabletop mini-system as a team.
Hands-On Activities
- Assemble a tote-bin mini system in groups of 3.
- Whiteboard the plumbing flow.
- Cost-out a 100-gallon system on a $300 budget.
Materials
Plastic toteAquarium pumpPVC pipeClay pebblesBell siphon
Vocabulary
Media Bed
Grow bed filled with clay pebbles where plants root.
DWC
Deep Water Culture — roots float in oxygenated water.
NFT
Nutrient Film Technique — thin water film flows past roots.
Bell Siphon
A self-draining device that floods and drains the bed.
Discussion Prompts
- Which design fits a small NYC apartment best?
- Where would you put a 100-gallon system in your school?
Check For Understanding
Q1. Which design uses clay pebbles?
Q2. A bell siphon helps to...
Q3. DWC stands for...