Aquaponics & Community Water System Analysis
Montaña de Luz, Honduras
08 March 2019 – 17 March 2019
Engineering Service-Learning
College of Engineering
The Ohio State University
19 February 2019
Lucy Sheppard
Shannon Billinghurst
Tatum Wilmes
Meera Narayan
- Project Team Members:
Lucy Sheppard: Team Leader/Meeting Facilitator
sheppard.200@osu.edu
Tatum Wilmes: Primary Documenter/Photographer
wilmes.5@osu.edu
Shannon Billinghurst: Primary Researcher
billinghurst.7@osu.edu
Meera Narayan: Accountant/Presentation Coordinator
narayan.49@osu.edu
- Background Information:
The projects include an aquaponics system to be installed at the orphanage and a water system analysis in the surrounding community. In 2014, a group installed an aquaponics system on the mountain, as shown in Figure 1. Several issues led to the demise of the fish, including unregulated temperature of the fish tank, the fish were too young, and too many fish were placed in the tank. A new system will be designed and installed using this knowledge and recommendations from the prior report to increase the chances of the fishes’ survival and long-term benefit to the residents of Montaña de Luz.
Figure 1: Prior Aquaponics System Implemented at MdL
Montaña de Luz is located on top of a mountain in Nueva Esperanza, Honduras. Water is only delivered to the mountain and the surrounding community below once a week. The water is transported to a large tank on the top of the mountain by a pump and then distributed to the community below by gravity. The pipes in this system were installed many years ago and it has been suggested they need to be replaced sometime in the near future. An analysis will be performed to make recommendations for changes to the current distribution and filtration system.
- Problem Statement / Needs Assessment:
Montaña de Luz houses 18 children on site and three children at Casa Luz. Each week they spend over $600 on groceries to feed all of the children. For children living with HIV, it is crucial they get the nutrients they need. The purpose of the aquaponics system is to decrease the amount of money spent on food at Montaña de Luz and increase nutritional value in the diets of the kids who live there.
The water that is delivered to community members once a week is not always enough to supply the household with enough water until the next delivery. Water deliveries can be delayed, leading to days without water in the community. Additionally, the water may be contaminated by old, dirty pipes. A healthier, more reliable source of clean water or possible treatment to clean the water may be available.
- Scope of Work/Objectives:
Aquaponics
An aquaponics system will be designed including a tank for the fish, a growing area for the plants, and pipes to move water between the two parts of the system. To avoid the problems the previous aquaponics system faced, a thermometer will be incorporated into the design so that the water can be maintained at an optimal temperature for the survival of the fish, and a location for the system will be chosen to keep the fish tank under shade for most of the day.
Two 55 gallon barrels will be used for the plant bed and fish tank. The plant beds will be made from one barrel cut in half to make two plant beds that will sit side by side. The fish tank will be made from the second barrel that will have a rectangular hole cut in the side of it with dimensions of twelve inches by twenty-two inches. The system will include tilapia, which can be harvested when they grow to full size, and cilantro, to supplement the residents’ diets. This project will take place over five days.
Figure 2: Barrel Cuts and Adjustments
Community Water System Analysis
A community water analysis will be completed with four additional volunteers from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Volunteers will visit the community’s source of water and conduct an analysis of the supply over two days on Monday and Tuesday morning. Recommendations will be made on what sources are available that will provide the community healthier water. This research will serve as the foundation for possible projects for students in upcoming classes.
- Deliverables:
An aquaponics system will be built consisting of a fish tank, an area for the plants to grow, and the systems that connects the two, and installed on the mountain. Following the community water system analysis a written summary of the inspection will be provided to the staff of Montaña de Luz.
- Proposed Combined Budget for Projects
In Table 1 and Table 2, shown below, are all of the materials necessary for the aquaponics system. The specialized and smaller items for the aquaponics system, such as the pumps, should be purchased before the trip and brought to Montaña de Luz. Larger items such as the fish tank, material for the stand, and plastic barrels will be purchased in Honduras.
| Before Travel Purchases | ||||
| Item | Description | Quantity | Price Per Item | Total Price |
| 1/2″ Male Adapter | 4 | $0.41 | $1.64 | |
| 3/4″ Male Adapter | 2 | $0.47 | $0.94 | |
| 1/2″ Locknuts | 4 | $0.38 | $1.52 | |
| 3/4″ Locknuts | 2 | $0.58 | $1.16 | |
| 1/2″ x 3/4″ Insert | Male Adapter | 1 | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| PVC Tape | 22 ft | 1 | $3.30 | $3.30 |
| 1/2″ Bulkhead union | 3 | $13.21 | $39.63 | |
| 1/2″ to 3/4″ Adapter | 2 | $0.27 | $0.54 | |
| 3/4″ Tee PVC Pipe Adapter | 1 | $0.61 | $0.61 | |
| Submersible Water Pump | 550 GPH | 1 | $37.24 | $37.24 |
| Outdoor Screws | 86 Pack | 1 | $6.47 | $6.47 |
| Thermometer | Floating | 1 | $12.95 | $12.95 |
| Ammonia Test Kit | 1 | $21.99 | $21.99 | |
| pH Test Kit | 1 | $11.99 | $11.99 | |
| Air Pump Tubing | 1 | $4.70 | $4.70 | |
| Air Pump | 1 | $14.59 | $14.59 | |
| Silicone Adhesive | 1 | $4.57 | $4.57 | |
| Drill Bits | 21 Piece | 1 | $10.97 | $10.97 |
| Drill | Electric | 1 | $29.97 | $29.97 |
| Drill Screw Drivers | 18 piece | 1 | $6.47 | $6.47 |
| Gloves | 4-pack | 1 | $9.88 | $9.88 |
| Safety Glasses | 4 | $3.28 | $13.12 | |
| Dust Masks | 1 | $7.92 | $7.92 | |
Table 1: Itemized List of Materials and Tools Purchased Before Travel
| In Country Purchases | ||||
| Item | Description | Quantity | Price Per Item | Total Price |
| 2″ PVC Cap | 2 | $1.78 | $3.56 | |
| 3/4″ PVC Elbow | 2 | $0.55 | $1.10 | |
| 1/2″ PVC | 5 ft pieces | 3 | $1.87 | $5.61 |
| 3/4″ PVC | 5 ft pieces | 1 | $2.30 | $2.30 |
| 2″ PVC | 2 ft | 1 | $3.98 | $3.98 |
| 1/2″ Garden Hose | 50 ft | 1 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Cinder Blocks | 10 | $1.01 | $10.10 | |
| Barrels | 55 gallon | 2 | $30.00 | $60.00 |
| Dawn soap | 2 pack | 1 | $13.43 | $13.43 |
| 20 ft 4×4 Wood | 10 ft pieces | 2 | $12.77 | 25.54 |
| 35 ft 2×6 Wood | 8 ft pieces | 5 | $4.76 | $23.80 |
| 1/2″ Elbow | 10 pack | 1 | $2.38 | $2.38 |
| Zip-ties | 100-pack | 1 | $4.59 | $4.59 |
| Extension Cords | 50 ft | 2 | $13.97 | $27.94 |
| Paint Brush | 2 pack | 2 | $7.99 | $15.98 |
| Sand Paper | Flint | 1 | $7.97 | $7.97 |
| PVC Saw | 13 in | 1 | $9.98 | $9.98 |
| Measuring Tape | 25 ft | 1 | $9.88 | $9.88 |
| PVC Glue | 8 oz can | 1 | $3.63 | $3.63 |
| Sponges | 2 pack | 2 | $7.99 | $15.98 |
| Other: Gravel, Plants (Cilantro), Fish (Tilapia) | ||||
Table 2: Itemized List of Materials and Tools Purchased In Honduras
The total cost of this project is calculated to be $341.39, not including the plants, seeds and gravel purchases.
- Sustainability Statement:
By creating an aquaponics system on the mountain the fish and vegetables produced can offset the grocery bills at Montaña de Luz. In the system, the plants will get their nutrients from the fish tank below and a natural fertilizer from the fish waste. This requires minimal work from the staff at Montaña de Luz. To ensure that the system is clean and continues to work, the staff at Montaña de Luz will be educated about the upkeep and maintenance required of the system. They will be able to troubleshoot problems should they arise. A manual will be written in Spanish and left at Montaña de Luz.
- Schedule:
The trip will take place over ten days beginning on Friday March 8th and ending on Sunday, March 17th. Two of these days are reserved primarily for travel and will not be counted as working days. Two days and one morning will be spent on excursion and will not be counted as working days. The tasks planned to be completed are outlined in the table below.
| Date | Task—Morning | Task—Afternoon |
| Friday, March 8th | Travel Day—Arrival
Inventory |
|
| Saturday, March 9th | Excursion Day | |
| Sunday, March 10th | -Clean barrels
-Cut barrels to measurements -Level Foundation -Place cinder blocks |
-Clean Barrels (if needed)
-Cut wood to measurements -Assemble wood stand |
| Monday, March 11th | Excursion Day | |
| Tuesday, March 12th | Community Water Analysis | -Finish wood stand and place
-Begin piping system
|
| Wednesday, March 13th | Community Water Analysis | -Assemble piping system
-Implement piping from plant bed to fish tank -Test pump and leakage |
| Thursday, March 14th | -Assemble Bell Siphon
-Test water cycle |
-Implement clean gravel
-Test water quality -Introduce fish |
| Friday, March 15th | -Zip tie hose, cords, and piping
-Implement gravel guard -Implement guard for fish |
-Plant cilantro
-Check water flow -Check for leaks -Check bell siphon -Test water quality |
| Saturday, March 16th | Excursion Day | |
| Sunday, March 17th | Travel Day—Departure | |
Table 3: Tentative Schedule
- References:
“Aquaponics Plans (DIY – Build Your Own Aquaponics System),” uPONICs, Hydroponics and Aquaponics Information. [Online]. Available: https://uponics.com/aquaponics-plans/. [Accessed: 19-Feb-2019].
“Past Research,” Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries, 02-Jul-2018. [Online]. Available: https://aquafishcrsp.oregonstate.edu/past-research. [Accessed: 19-Feb-2019].
Person, “DIY: Everything You Need to Know to Build a Simple Backyard Aquaponics System,” Inhabitat Green Design Innovation Architecture Green Building, 17-Sep-2014. [Online]. Available: https://inhabitat.com/diy-everything-you-need-to-know-to-build-a-simple-backyard-aquaponics-system/?variation=c. [Accessed: 19-Feb-2019].
- D. Sawyer, “Aquaponics,” Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Aquaculture, Fisheries, & Pond Management. [Online]. Available: https://fisheries.tamu.edu/aquaponics/. [Accessed: 19-Feb-2019].
- M. Westbrook, M. Keel, B. Smith, A. Barefield, C. S. Dixon, and M. Pile, “Yes: Youth Entrepreneurship.” The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 29-Oct-2009.