Assembling a Vertical Aquaponics System

ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM

WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS


Required Tools

Tape measure Square Screws 1-1/8” spade bit

Drill Skilsaw Pipe cutter

You Will Need…


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


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)


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


Initial Frame Construction Cont’d

Screw second 5’ board to back of frame (2 screws)

Step 4

Remaining 5’ cross brace


Frame Construction

Bisect remaining 5’ board at a 45 degree

angle to make the cross braces

Step 5

2.5’ cross braces


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


Completing the Frame

Step 9

Repeat steps 6-8 to complete the frame.


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


Creating the In-Ground Sump TankStep 12

Dig hole for sump

Make sure the tank rests below ground

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


Rack and Sump ConstructionStep 14

Place first side of rack toward the

sump tank

Rack is perpendicular to return pipe


Rack and Sump Construction

Place second side of rack

opposite of sump tank

Step 15


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


Inserting the Conduit

Run steel conduit through rack

holes

Step 18

*This may require forcing the conduit into the holes


Completing the Rack

Step 19

Fasten conduit cross pieces with zip ties


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


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


Hanging the Towers

Hang the towers so they drain into the

gutter

Step 25


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


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


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



Add valve for pressure control

Run irrigation line down 6’ beam with zip

ties

Step 31

Step 32



Run irrigation line across 5’ base

beam

Step 33



Run irrigation line up adjacent 6’ beam

Step 34

*Optional valve placement



Run irrigation line up adjacent 6’ beam

Connect tubing together using valves

Step 34 cont’d

Step 35



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



Step 36Punch holes into tubing directly above towers

(about 18” apart)

Add drip emitters (7-10 gal/hr) into punched

holes

Step 37


The Completed System

Congratulations! Now you are ready to produce fresh, healthy, vertically

grown food!

Design

Assembling a Vertical Aquaponics System