Abstract:
The invention provides an improved modular aquaponics system for growing plants and fish together in a closed system whereby fish tank waste water is utilized by the plants as a source of fertilizer, thereby clarifying the water before returning it to the fish tank. The improvements comprise an improved plant grow tray, a prefabricated, “snap-together” grow tray system, an energy-efficient calibrated air displacement pump and a fish waste water clarifier having a baffle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to agriculture and, more particularly, to the farming of aquatic animals and the use of their waste as fertilizing nutrients to grow vegetables in a closed loop re-circulating system. 
         [0002]    In the twenty-first century, the world faces an environmental crisis, issues related to climate change (drought and flooding as well as record-setting heat waves) and an energy crisis. In addition, many parts of the world face severe food shortages. Twentieth century agricultural techniques have harmed the environment and consume an inordinate amount of energy and water. Many countries lack the large amounts of arable land and water needed to sustain growing human populations. Developed nations use large amounts of pesticides and artificial fertilizers to grow their grains, fruits, and vegetables. At the same time, they use huge amounts of gasoline and diesel fuel to power their farm machinery, large amounts of electricity to process their food, and enormous amounts of fuel to deliver the processed food to grocery stores. The raising of farm animals, particularly cattle and swine, is notoriously inefficient in terms of the amount of land and energy required to raise corn and other animal feed for each pound of protein produced. 
         [0003]    UN reports tell us that in 2012, for the 6 th  time in an eleven-year span, the world will eat more food than it produces. With 7 billion people in the world now and the expanding population growth of the projected 9.3 billion in 2050, there must be a shift towards vegetarianism and the option for farm-raised fish as a protein source for many, and a shift away from meat heavy diets, but this will take time. Growing crops to feed cattle, pigs, lamb or sheep take up more land and emit more greenhouse gases than producing crops for direct human consumption. In the 21 st  Century, food production accounts for up to 29 percent of man-made greenhouse gasses; twice the amount the United Nations has estimated comes from traditional ‘dirt’ methods of farming. 
         [0004]    Many areas of the world, such as California, require elaborate and expensive aqueducts and irrigation systems to deliver potable water to farming regions. A tremendous amount of fresh water evaporates or is otherwise wasted with conventional farming methods. Third world countries often lack the financial resources, arable land and technology to produce sufficient food, and in particular enough protein to maintain the health of their human populations. There are also health concerns raised by humans consuming pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables and hormones in chicken, pork and beef. Wild birds and animals are adversely affected by pesticide and fertilizer. Local waters (ponds, rivers, and streams) are also polluted by the runoff from the pesticides and fertilizers used for local growing. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need to promote a new “green” method of farming around the world for ‘locally grown food’ in any region to produce healthier food that requires far less land and water, and at the same time, is environmentally friendly:
       Eliminates the need or use of artificial chemicals   Provides sustainability for people locally   Substantially reduces energy consumption for planting, harvesting and shipping food, and greenhouse gas emissions.   Also, provides jobs for local people strengthening the local economy.       
 
         [0010]    Aquaponics has been explored for several decades as a possible solution to the foregoing environmental, energy and food shortage problems. Aquaponics combines the art of growing aquatic animals (fish), known as aquaculture, with the modern technology of hydroponics in which plants are grown without soil. In aquaponics, fish and plants are grown together in an integrated closed loop re-circulating system with a very low rate of water usage or water loss due to evaporation. The fish waste (effluent) produced by the fish is delivered from the fish tank to a settling tank to remove the heavy ‘waste’ and then sent to the grow trays to provide a food source for growing plants in the gravel and the plants provide a natural filter for the water that keeps the fish healthy. This symbiotic relationship between the fish and the growing plants is the goal of aquaponics by creating a sustainable ecosystem in which both fish and plants can thrive and as a result, produces safe, fresh protein and healthy vegetables. 
         [0011]    Aquaponics systems heretofore developed have not met with widespread success. Previously, aquaponics systems have been complex and labor intensive to operate, difficult to construct because to date, there has been no standard design that has proven itself to be easy to operate, and they are often poorly constructed with inferior materials requiring constant attention to leaks, challenges for disposal of the fish waste, and careful maintenance of pH levels, micronutrient depletion and water temperature. They have also been expensive in terms of the pumps and other electrical equipment required. In addition, prior aquaponics systems have been difficult to maintain and are prone to catastrophic system failures such as death of the fish and plants due to design flaws in the actual aquaponics system. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention provides improvements to prior aquaponics systems which have been fraught with fragility and difficulty in maintaining a healthy balance between each of the components and the living systems. In particular, the present invention improves waste removal from the aquaponics system, provides an improved pump to the aquaponics system, provides an improved grow tray design, an improved snap together design feature and uses less power than existing aquaponics systems. 
         [0013]    Overview of the Modular Aquaponics System 
         [0014]    The fish tank of the Modular Aquaponics System contains the water and the fresh-water fish which provides the nutrient-laden waste water for the growth of the plants in the grow tray. Periodically, a portion of the water is removed from the fish tank by the use of a uniquely designed submersed air-powered pump and transported via pipes to a clarifier located above the fish tank. Lifting the water from the fish tank to the clarifier is the only time energy is required to move water in the Modular Aquaponics System and gravity powers the remainder of the water-flow cycle. After the water has been delivered to the clarifier, the solid waste then settles to the bottom of the clarifier due to dramatic reduction in the velocity of the water flowing into the clarifier. The water overflowing out from the clarifier is free of the solid waste matter and flows from the top of the clarifier through a conduit pipe to the head of the grow tray. This clarified water is now distributed through a spreader under the gravel at the head of the grow tray to fill the grow tray to a predetermined level (much like a bathtub, it rises evenly across the entire tray). Once this predetermined water level has been attained, an automatic valve assembly under the gravel in the grow tray allows the water to completely drain from the grow tray and return to the fish tank stripped of the nutrient load by the plants and re-oxygenated by the large surface area of the gravel and leaving the plant roots exposed to the ambient air for maximum growth. 
         [0015]    Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0016]    The Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention is for high intensity food production involving the farming of aquatic animals and the use of their waste to grow vegetables in a closed loop re-circulating system. The Modular Aquaponics System requires no chemical fertilizers or insecticides in the growing of the food. The Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention eliminates the possibility of catastrophic system shut down because there is no single point failure in the system. The system begins to provide healthy produce approximately forty days after installation. Moreover, the Modular Aquaponics System provides a protein source (fish) within seven to nine months after the system is operational. In one embodiment, the Modular Aquaponics System is capable of feeding eight people with the labor of one person working only 20 minutes per day. Such a Modular Aquaponics System requires only 1 kwh per day of electricity (powered by any available electrical source), per module which feeds eight people. In another embodiment the Modular Aquaponics System is capable of feeding 240 people with the labor of three people working full time. The Modular Aquaponics System uses a minimal amount of potable water for food production (the water requirement is reduced by 90 to 95% compared with conventional farming). The Modular Aquaponics System is capable of providing fresh locally grown food and food security for families, groups, and cities. The Modular Aquaponics System can provide local jobs for semi-skilled labor. In addition, Modular Aquaponics Systems can be easily shipped anywhere in the world and be assembled and operated by semi-skilled labor. The Modular Aquaponics Systems can be assembled and operated as a carbon negative installation. 
         [0017]    Objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this application. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an automatic trip valve assembly  48  of the present invention. An automatic trip valve/self-siphoning device assembly  48  is provided for conveniently draining water from the grow tray  600  upon the water in the tray reaching a predetermined level. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a calibrated air displacement pump  47  of the present invention. The calibrated air displacement pump  47 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B, is an air-powered submersible water pumping system used to remove fish waste from the fish tank  46  to move it to the clarifier  300 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a top view of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional view of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a fish waste water clarifier of the present invention. The clarifier  300  is the settling area to reduce velocity of water to allow for fish waste solids to settle to the bottom for later removal from the clarifier  300  for proper disposal. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the Clarifier of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a fish tank and other components of the Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention. The fish tank  46  contains water, aquatic animals, aeration devices, heaters  53 , and the calibrated air displacement pump  47  for removing fish waste from the fish tank  46  to send it to the clarifier  300 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic of a control panel  70  of the present invention. The control panel is a centralized control system for timing the operation of the air pump to provide energy for lifting water through the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an end view and a side view of a grow tray  600  of the present invention. The grow tray  600  is a waterproof table of six to eight inches in depth filled with ¾ inch gravel that allows for water to readily fill up and flow from the clarifier  300  through the grow tray  600  to provide nutrients and water to the growing plants  401 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention.  FIG. 7  depicts a design layout for the complete aquaponics system including grow tray  600 , fish tank  46  and clarifier  300 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a snap together system the present invention. The snap together system incorporates all the elements of a modular grow tray ( FIG. 7 ), using readily assembled plastic-components. This snap together system can be easily modified to adjust for size. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a snap together system of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a snap together tray, fish tank  46  and clarifier  300  of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a water flow diagram of the present invention. The water travels from the fish tank  46  by way of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  to the clarifier  300  through the overflow pipe  33 ,  37 ,  27 ,  26 ,  38  to the spreader  94  at the head of the grow tray  600 . When the water reaches a level predetermined in the grow tray  600  the automatic trip valve assembly  48  releases the water to drain back into the fish tank  46 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
       [0033]    The Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention is comprised of three major components. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , these are: 1) a fish tank  46 , 2) a plant grow tray  600 , and 3) a water clarifier  300  for removing solid fish waste. These components are injection molded, roto-molded, fabricated from stock on site or combined with other materials which can be made waterproof. The fish tank  46  has a Calibrated Air Displacement (“CAD”) pump  47  to transfer fish waste and nutrient-rich water from the fish tank  46  to the clarifier  300 . Solid fish waste settles in the clarifier  300 ; the nutrient-rich, clarified water travels out of the clarifier  300  via an overflow pipe  38  into a spreader  94  which evenly disperses the nutrient-rich water into the grow tray  600 . Plants  401  in the grow tray  600  take up nitrogenous nutrients from the water. Cleaner water is therefore returned to the fish tank  46  by the action of a self-siphoning Automatic Trip Valve (“ATV”) assembly  48 . In addition, the present invention includes “snap together” components permitting preassembled, ready-made sections to be joined into an aquaponics system on site. 
       B. Automatic Trip Valve (FIG. 1) 
       [0034]    An automatic trip valve/self-siphoning assembly  48  is provided for conveniently draining water from the grow tray  600  upon the water in the tray reaching a predetermined level. 
         [0035]    Details of the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The threaded end of a one-half inch, white PVC male threaded fitting  2  is inserted in a suitable sized hole drilled through a 3-inch knock out  1  installed in the bottom of the lower end portion of the grow tray  600  for water to flow back into the fish tank  46  from the grow tray  600 . 
         [0036]    On each side of the threaded one-half inch, white PVC male threaded fitting  2  a one-half inch conduit nut  4  is fitted and sealed with type 1 silicone seal  3 . The barrel of the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly is a four inch length of one and one-half inch PVC schedule  40  pipe  8  which contains a one-half inch threaded female fitting  5  secured to a one-half inch thin-wall PVC pipe  6  secured with two three-sixteenth inch pop rivets  7 , one passing through only the female fitting  5  and the one above it through the fitting and the half-inch thin wall PVC pipe  6 . A three-eighths inch hole  10  is drilled through the one-half inch threaded female fitting  5  three-eighths of an inch from the bottom threaded female fitting  5  at the end of the fitting. 
         [0037]    The height of the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly  48  can be adjusted according to the depth of the grow tray  600  and height of the gravel  86   b.    
         [0038]    A self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly  48  is mounted in a hole drilled through a plastic knock out  1  mounted in a three inch opening in the bottom of the grow tray  600  which extends over the fish tank  46  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly  48  is configured to periodically drain the grow tray  600  sufficiently to expose the root system of the plants  401  to ambient air. The incorporation of the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly  48  makes the Modular Aquaponics System much simpler, less expensive and more reliable than prior aquaponics systems that have used multiple water pumps or triggered valves to achieve ebb and flow of the nutrient filled water and thereby alternately submerge and aerate the plants roots. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve assembly  48  is preferably mounted in the end of the grow tray  600  over the fish tank  46  so that once the water gets to a level of four and one half inches in the grow tray  600 , substantially all of the water in the grow tray  600  is drained back into the fish tank  46 , thereby exposing the roots of the plants to ambient air. 
       C. Calibrated Air Displacement (“CAD”) Pump FIG. 2 
       [0039]    The Calibrated Air Displacement Pump  47 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B, is an air-powered submersible water pumping system used to remove fish waste from the fish tank  46  to move it to the clarifier  300 . 
         [0040]    As shown in the Modular Aquaponics System overview of  FIG. 4 , the calibrated air displacement pump  47  is an air powered water pumping system that removes waste water from the bottom of the fish tank  46  and lifts it through a ½ inch Up-pipe  58 , through a ½ inch 90 degree elbow  59 , a ½ inch to one inch adapter  60  and into a 1″ diameter PVC pipe  34  and to the clarifier  300 . 
         [0041]    As detailed in  FIG. 2 , the calibrated air displacement pump  47  has a six inch PVC schedule  40  pipe  25   a ,  8  inches long, as the main barrel or chamber of the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . The bottom plate  25   c  of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  is fabricated from ⅛ inch PVC flat stock, cut into a circle the exact diameter (approximately 6½ inches) of the barrel  25   a , cemented to the bottom of the barrel  25   a  using heavy PVC cement and with a single 1⅞ inch hole placed 2½ inches from the edge of the bottom plate  25   c  to which a highly modified toilet bowl check/flapper valve  22  [Korky Universal Fit standard two inch Flapper Model. Manufactured by Levella Industries, Inc. Burlington, Wis.]. The toilet flapper skirt of a one and a half inch universal toilet tank flapper has been completely removed leaving only a small residual ridge around the center depression in the body of the flapper. The normal mounting apparatus has been completely removed leaving only a one half inch plastic projection on each side. The chain lift retention boss has been completely removed and the surface has been buffed to create a flat sealing surface for the valve. This highly modified valve is mounted upside down over the hole in the bottom of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  with two one-eighth inch by half inch pop rivets in the appropriate holes. This highly modified valve is protected with a molded cover made with one quarter inch mesh hardware cloth. The molded cover is designed to allow valve clearance and to prevent small fish being sucked into the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . The bottom plate  25   c  also contains three half round legs  21  made of PVC stock that has been cut from an 8 inch PVC pipe and mounted flat side to the bottom plate  25   c , using heavy PVC cement, placed equidistant around the diameter ¼ inch in from the edge of bottom plate  25   c.    
         [0042]    The top plate  25   b of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  is fabricated from ⅛th inch PVC flat stock cut in a circle to the exact dimensions of the barrel  25   a  and cemented into place with heavy PVC cement. The top plate  25   b  has two holes drilled into it. One of the two holes is 2½ inches in diameter and is placed 1 inch from the outside edge of top plate  25   b . This hole is configured for a two inch PVC end cap  13  in which a ½ inch×¾ inch PVC bushing  14  and the ¾ inch conduit nut  15  are mounted through a 1⅛ inch hole drilled through the top surface of end cap  13  (to be used for mounting the Up-pipe  58 . The second of the two holes is 1⅜ inch diameter and placed 1½ inches from the edge of top plate  25   b . This second hole is configured for a 1 inch end cap  11  containing a one-inch piece of one inch PVC  23  and a 5/16 inch brass air barb  12 . The end cap  13  ( FIG. 2   a ) is also cemented to a two inch section of two inch diameter PVC pipe  16   a  which passes through the 2½ inch hole in the top plate  25   b  and is cemented into a two inch union  16   b . The two inch union  16   b  is also where a two inch section of up-pipe  20  is mounted inside barrel  25   a  (to create “the interior chamber up-pipe  20 ”). The 1 inch end cap  11  is cemented to the top surface of the top plate  25   b  with heavy PVC cement; a 1¼ inch section of 1 inch PVC pipe  23  is cemented into the 1 inch end cap  11 , and this section of 1 inch PVC pipe  23  extends ⅛th inch into the main chamber of the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . 
         [0043]    Within the calibrated air displacement pump  47  is a “U-tube assembly” comprising three lengths of pipe and two elbows assembled as follows. The U-tube assembly has two equal lengths of ½ inch pipe  17  (as upright arms of the “U”) which fit into two ½-inch elbows (modified from standard off-the-shelf to reduce length)  18   a  and  18   b , and which are solvent welded to a ½-inch pipe section  19  (forming the bottom of the “U”). The U-tube assembly is mounted with one of the ½ inch PVC pipes  17  and part of elbow  18   b  inside the interior chamber up-pipe  20 , placed in a cut out made by removing a 1⅛ inch diameter half circle of material from the bottom edge of the interior chamber up-pipe  20 . The U-tube assembly  17 ,  18   a , 18   b ,  19  is secured to the side wall of the interior chamber up-pipe  20  in the cut out with a ⅛ inch rivet  7  placed in a ⅛th inch hole drilled through the elbow  18   b  and the interior chamber up-pipe  20  and with heavy PVC cement. 
         [0044]    The performance of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  can be modified through the use of different materials (ranging from stainless steel to ABS plastic, to other types of plastic and ferrous metals) used in the construction and design of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  based on water flow volume requirements. These 3 modifications include 1) increasing or decreasing the barrel  25   a  diameter, 2) increasing or decreasing the length of the barrel  25   a , and/or 3) increasing or decreasing the air volume supplied from an air pump  56  similar or equivalent to Ecoair3 Commercial Pump distributed by Sunlight Supply, Inc.—Product 728455] to the air barb  12 . 
         [0045]    For example, an increase in diameter in the barrel  25   a  from 6 inches in diameter to 8 inches in diameter increases the volume of water which can be moved from the fish tank  46  to the clarifier  300  per pumping cycle. 
       D. Clarifier FIGS. 3 and 3 a     
       [0046]    The clarifier  300  is the settling area to reduce velocity of water to allow for fish waste solids to settle to the bottom for later removal from the clarifier for proper disposal. 
         [0047]    The clarifier  300  is a water holding tank  28 , preferably a 30 to 55 gallon drum made of food grade plastic and preferably having a cone-shaped bottom. The clarifier  300  has a drain assembly, an overflow pipe assembly, and a baffle  29  to reduce the velocity of the water entering from the fish tank  46  allowing the solid fish waste from the fish tank  46  ample time to settle to the bottom of the clarifier  300 . The drain assembly, overflow pipe assembly and baffle are described in more detail below. 
         [0048]    Clarifier Drain Assembly  301 : The solid fish waste that settles must be periodically drained through a drain assembly consisting of a drain fitting  39  (preferably a ¾ inch threaded male with conduit nut and silicone seal), a ¾ inch drain pipe section  40 , an elbow  41 , a ¾ inch diameter pipe  42 , a manual shut-off valve  43 , and a garden hose adaptor  44 . 
         [0049]    The drain assembly  301 , is coupled through the bottom wall of the clarifier  300 . The drain assembly  301  permits easy periodic cleaning of solid waste from the clarifier  300  that can be used on other agricultural plants outside the greenhouse (shrubs, flowers, vegetables, trees, etc.), or, the solid waste can be flushed into a sewer system, or otherwise disposed of in a sanitary fashion because it contains no toxic substances. 
         [0050]    Clarifier Overflow Pipe Assembly  302  and Intake Pipe Assembly  303 : The clarifier  300  has an overflow pipe assembly  302 . The overflow pipe assembly  302  is coupled through the side wall  28  of the clarifier  300  through one inch PVC fittings comprise a 1 inch PVC T fitting  33  joined to a section of 1 inch of PVC pipe  37           and  38  through a one inch threaded female fitting  27  and a one inch threaded male fitting  26  secured with type 1 silicone seal (not shown) and placed at a level one inch to three inches below the intake pipe assembly  303 . The intake pipe assembly  303  comprises a 1 inch section of PVC pipe  34  to bring water into Clarifier  300  from fish tank  46 , a one inch threaded female fitting  27  and a one inch threaded male fitting  26  secured with type 1 silicone seal (not shown) a 1 inch section of PVC pipe  36  fitted to a 1 inch 90 degree elbow  31 . The overflow assembly  302  permits the water in the clarifier  300  to remain the same level regardless of the inflow from intake pipe assembly  303 . This overflow pipe assembly  302  directs the water to the spreader  94  ( FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  11 ) at the head of the grow tray  600 . 
         [0051]    The overflow pipe assembly  302  is placed at least 12 inches above the level of the grow tray  600  allowing gravity to move the ammonia- and dissolved waste-laden water to the grow tray  600 . The clarifier  300  tank  28  is fitted with a tight fitting lid  45  which allows access for periodic cleaning. The clarifier  300  is normally placed in an insulated box for retaining the heated water flowing from the fish tank  46 . 
         [0052]    In tropical climates where the ambient temperature does not go below 60 degrees F., the insulation for the clarifier  300  is not necessary. 
         [0053]    Clarifier Baffle: The clarifier  300  includes a vertically oriented cylindrical baffle  29 , preferably having a diameter of about 6 inches, placed near the center of the holding tank  28  extending from the bottom of the holding tank  28  up to five inches below the surface of the lid  45  to create a turbulence break causing the water to slow its velocity. ( FIGS. 3 and 3   a .) The baffle  29  is made from a section of six-inch PVC pipe with four or five two- to three-inch holes  32  drilled on the lower half of the baffle  29 . 
         [0054]    The clarifier  300  holding tank  28  is preferably mounted in a vertical position inside an insulated box (not shown, and optional, depending upon climatic conditions of the system) placed above the fish tank  46  with the overflow pipe  38  at least 12 inches above the top of the grow tray  600 . The inflow from the fish tank  46  through the up-pipe assembly  34 ,  26 ,  27 ,  36 ,  31 , brings water through a one and a half inch hole drilled near the top of the baffle  29  to the inside edge of the baffle  29  and directed downward at a 45-degree angle through a 90-degree elbow  31 . The transition from the one inch diameter pipe  36  to the six inch baffle  29  decreases the velocity of the water resulting in the fish waste solids settling to the bottom of the clarifier  300 . The clarified water slowly rises in the clarifier drum  28  to a T-fitting  33  which prevents floating debris from being conveyed to the grow tray  600  through the overflow pipe assembly  302  to the spreader  94  located at the head of the grow tray  600  filling the grow tray  600  with nutrient rich water to a predetermined level regulated by the self-siphoning/automatic trip valve  48 . 
       E. Fish Tank and Modular Aquaponics System FIG. 4 
       [0055]      FIG. 4  shows the majority of the components of the Modular Aquaponics System of the present invention. These components are the fish tank  46 , which contains water, aquatic animals, aeration devices, heaters  53 , and the CAD pump  47  for removing fish waste from the fish tank  46  to send it to the Clarifier  300 . Water leaves the clarifier  300  and enters the grow tray  600 . The water flows into the grow tray  600  to a predetermined height at which time the self-siphoning automatic trip valve  48  permits the water to return through pipe  50  to the fish tank  46  completing the loop in the system. 
         [0056]    The fish tank  46  can be a plastic livestock watering trough of appropriate size or concrete enclosure based on a formula relating to grow tray  600  area and gallons of water per fish. This type of fish tank  46  is generally available at feed and grain stores, some hardware stores and online distributors specializing in livestock. The concrete fish tanks  46  are fabricated onsite using concrete blocks or concrete forms to create the appropriately sized fish tanks  46  based on the formula below. 
         [0057]    The preferred stocking rate of fish-to-grow-space formula is: For each square foot of grow tray  600 , two gallons of water are required. The stocking ratio of fish-to-water should never exceed one fish per gallon of water. The number of fish in the fish tank  46  should never exceed twice the number of square feet in the grow tray  600  regardless of the actual fish tank  46  size. For example, a commercial grow tray  600  containing 200 square feet of grow space will require a 400 gallon fish tank  46  into which 400 fish can be placed. Similarly, a grow tray  600  containing 100 square feet of grow space will require a 200 gallon fish tank  46  into which 200 fish may be placed. 
         [0058]    The Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 4 ) is designed for use with warm water, fresh water aquatic animals only which thrive best in 78 to 80 degree F. water temperatures. The Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 4 ) works best with California Hybrid Tilapia, an all-male result from a crossbreed of Mossambica and Hornorum tilapia. 
         [0059]    A covering  402  of netting, chicken wire or other material is required on the top of the fish tank  46  to keep the fish from jumping out of the fish tank  46 . 
         [0060]    The fish tank  46  contains two air wands  52  to provide aeration for the health of the fish and are supplied with air forced through air tubing  69  from the 35 liter per minute air pump  64 . 
         [0061]    The fish tank  46  also contains the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . The calibrated air displacement pump  47  is an air powered water pumping system used to remove the waste water from the bottom of the fish tank  46  and lift it through a ½ inch Up-pipe  58 , through a ½ inch 90 degree elbow  59 , a ½ inch to one inch adapter  60  and into a 1″ diameter PVC pipe  34  and to the clarifier  300 . 
         [0062]    The fish tank  46  may also contain aquarium heaters  53  to maintain the temperature for maximum growth and health of the fish, between 78 degrees and 80 degrees F. 
         [0063]    Automatic Water Leveling Components: Because of normal water usage by the plants (transpiration), a certain amount of makeup water is required each day to maintain the water level in the fish tank  46  and for the calibrated air displacement pump  47  to work correctly. The automatic water leveling components are comprised of an automatic float water level device  51 , which is attached to an adaptor ½ inch to ¾ inch hose fitting  66 , which connects to a section of ½ inch pipe  67 , which in turn connects to a ½ inch 90 degree elbow  63 ; the elbow is joined to another section of ½ inch pipe  62  a 24 volt valve control  61 , controls the amount of water that travels through the ½ inch make up water pipe  55 . This component arrangement may be modified but as shown it works well and maintains a predetermined water level in the fish tank of two inches or more below the rim of the fish tank  46  by adding water only during a period of four minutes per day (for example, at approximately 5:00 AM) when the water in the fish tank  46  is at its maximum height. This prevents the fish tank  46  from overflowing during normal cycling. The timing for the additional water to be added to the fish tank  46  is regulated by the control system ( FIG. 5 ) and a 24-volt water shut off valve  61 . 
         [0064]    When the fish tank  46  is placed in an insulated box, that box is preferably provided with a hinged lid for the operator to feed and harvest the fish. This lid preferably includes a clear transparent window that covers half the exposed top (the portion extending from under the grow tray  600  of the fish tank  46  to allow ambient light into the fish tank  46  for the benefit of the fish, to allow them to receive light in the fish tank  46  and also allow operators to observe them without having to open the lid of the fish tank  46 . 
         [0065]    In climates requiring the fish tank  46  to be insulated to maintain a temperate of 78 to 80° F., the fish tank  46  is placed in an insulated box. Rigid foam insulation (e.g. Bead board or Styrofoam) is generally placed on the inside of a plywood box built to house the fish tank  46 . The insulation is also included in the lid (not the window) and cover assembly. 
         [0066]    Depending on the climate where the aquaponics system is located, and the type of aquatic animals being raised, it may be necessary to maintain the temperature of the water in the fish tank  46  with submersible electric aquarium heaters  53  or other devices (e.g. Solar heating, etc.). 
         [0067]    The more effective the insulation, the easier it is to maintain a consistent temperature of the water in the fish tank  46 . The thermal insulation reduces the energy costs otherwise incurred in heating the water. The temperature range for best overall production and least stress of aquatic animals is between about 78 to 80 degrees F. In this restricted temperature range, the fish eat the greatest amount of food and convert it to protein with little or no stress. If the temperature is too high, the oxygen requirements go up dramatically, and if the temperature is too low, the fish slow down and do not convert food into protein efficiently. 
         [0068]    Possible variations of the fish tanks  46  are the size and shape depending on the size of the grow tray  600  and number of fish required in the modular aquaponic system as described in the formula above. The material for the fish tank  46  can be made of plastic, concrete or a plastic lined wooden structure. Formed plastic fish tanks  46  can be molded to conform to the space available under the grow tray  600  and can be made strong enough to support the clarifier  300 . 
       F. Control System FIG. 5 
       [0069]    The present invention includes a centralized control system  70  for timing the operation of the air pump to provide energy for lifting water through the calibrated air displacement pump  47 . 
         [0070]    The timer  74  is connected to a 65 liter per minute air pump  56  ( FIG. 4 ) by an electrical cord  57 , controlling its function of supplying air through the tubing  68  to the calibrated air displacement pump  47  on a timed basis. This time can vary from one hour, twice per day, to an hour or more, twice or more per day, depending on conditions dictated by temperature, humidity, and plant size and variety. 
         [0071]    The aquarium heaters  53  ( FIG. 4 ) which are internally thermostatically controlled to maintain a water temperature in the fish tank between 78 and 80 degrees F. are connected to the buss bar  75  through the cord  76 . The buss bar  75  also supplies constant power to the small air pump  64  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0072]    The water valve control  61  ( FIG. 4 ) is also controlled by the controller boards  71  and is programmed, for example, to operate four minutes per day at 5:00 AM to add water to the fish tank  46  to maintain the predetermined water level in the fish tank  46  of two to three inches below the rim of the fish tank  46 . 
         [0073]    A motion sensor  83  and a heat sensor  82  are connected through sensor wires  81  and  79  and the power line  78  to the controller board  71  to monitor the heat or movement or lack thereof in air pump  64  ( FIG. 4 ) and air pump  56 . 
         [0074]    There are a wide variety of functions the operator may choose to monitor in the control system ( FIG. 5 ) such as pH level in fish tank  46 , temperature in fish tank  46 , temperature in the structure, air pump functionality, and water level in the fish tank  46 . 
       G. Grow Tray FIG. 6 
       [0075]    A grow tray  600  is a waterproof table, preferably six to eight inches in depth and filled with ¾ inch gravel that allows for water to readily fill up and flow from the clarifier  300  through the grow tray  600  to provide nutrients and water to the growing plants. This process also removes nutrients from the water to be absorbed by the plants which also helps purify and re-oxygenate the water before returning to the fish tank. 
         [0076]    The grow tray  600  is shown rectangular in shape. The grow tray  600  can be built with available materials (lumber or concrete). The grow tray  600  is configurable in terms of available space, the height above the fish tank  46  to allow gravity flow of the water from the clarifier  300  and back to the fish tank  46  and may be sized to the available space. The grow tray  600  is generally five to six feet wide and from 8 feet to 40 feet in length. The depth of the grow tray  600  is conveniently determined by the either the width of commercial 2 feet×6 feet lumber used for the side walls or other materials to create a working depth of five and a half inches. 
         [0077]    If the grow tray  600  is made from lumber, it requires a waterproof pond liner material  92  that covers the entire length of the grow tray  600  including the plywood base  84 , side walls  95  and end walls  85  with enough left over to secure the pond liner  92  with wood retainers  87 . 
         [0078]    The only opening in the bottom of the grow tray  600  is a single 3 inch knock out  1  for mounting the self-siphoning automatic trip valve  48 . This knockout  1  is carefully installed and waterproofed over the pipe  50  above the fish tank area allowing the water to drain directly back into the fish tank  46  after the grow tray  600  has been filled to its predetermined level (by the automatic trip valve  48 . 
         [0079]    The wooden grow tray  600  is supported by legs  91  and stringers  90  with a cross beam  88  and brace  89 , which may be constructed with two by four inch lumber pieces firmly secured together with wood screws, nails or the like. The legs  91  holding the grow tray  600  may be adjusted to a desirable length to place the grow tray  600  at a convenient height for manual tending of the plants; this is preferably normal counter height of  36  inches, but more importantly, should provide the desired state of level in grow tray  600  so that water does not pool at one end. The legs  91  supporting the grow tray  600  are preferably placed on four foot or less centers because the grow tray  600  plus the weight of the gravel and water make the grow tray  600  extremely heavy. The placement of the legs on four foot or less centers prevents the grow tray  600  from bellying and producing dead spots that can affect plant growth. 
         [0080]    The water flowing into the grow tray  600  rises its entire length at the same time, similar to filling a bath tub. There is preferably no noticeable slope or difference in the height of the water from one end of the tray to the other. Water seeks its own level and the water in the grow tray  600  rises from the water from the clarifier  300  through the spreader  94  and then lowers as the water drains out of the grow tray  600  and back into the fish tank  46 . 
         [0081]    Because of the Modular Aquaponics System grow tray  600  design there is no need to ever clean the gravel  86   b  once it has been installed in the grow tray  600 . 
         [0082]    The height of the grow tray  600  can be adjusted using leg adjusters  98  ( FIGS. 8-10 ) to ensure clearance above the fish tank  46  and to adjust for unevenness in the floor or ground. 
         [0083]    The length and width of the grow tray  600  can be adjusted as can the construction materials. 
         [0084]    With the use of concrete, the legs  91  are designed differently and can be on centers much further apart. When using concrete for the grow tray  600 , a slight belly across bottom of the side to side dimension is desirable to allow for complete drainage. The concrete grow tray  600  must be level end to end. 
         [0085]    The working depth of the grow tray  600  must preferably remain between five and a half and six and a half inches to work correctly. 
         [0086]    The length and width of the grow tray  600  can be adjusted as can the construction materials. 
       H. Modular Aquaponics System FIG. 7 
       [0087]      FIG. 7  depicts a design layout for the complete aquaponics system including grow tray  600 , fish tank  46  and clarifier  300 . Not shown are connectors, air pumps and control systems, which are discussed in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0088]    The Modular Aquaponics System in  FIG. 7  uses an easy-to-build modularized construction system that can be assembled with local materials (such as lumber, concrete, gravel and PVC) by local builders or carpenters who construct the grow tray  600 , fish tank  46 , clarifier  300 , and add the components for proper water flow and aeration: automatic trip valve  48 , a calibrated air displacement pump  47 , and a control system ( FIG. 5 ). After the system has had water flowing for 24 to 48 hours from the fish tank  46  through the clarifier  300  through the grow tray  600  and returning to the fish tank  46 , aquatic animals can be introduced into the fish tank  46  and seedling plants can be planted in the grow tray  600 . The operator can expect to harvest food approximately 40 days after the system has become operational. 
         [0089]    The fish tank  46  is where the water for the system resides most of the time, and which contains the aquatic animals. It can be made of a plastic livestock watering trough of appropriate size or built as a concrete structure based on a formula relating to grow tray area and gallons of water per fish, as described elsewhere herein. When the fish tank  46  is made of concrete, it may be fabricated onsite using concrete blocks or concrete forms to create the appropriate sized fish tanks  46 . 
         [0090]    The water in the fish tank  46  is lifted out of the fish tank  46  by the calibrated air displacement pump  47  which is an air powered water pumping system used to remove the waste water from the bottom of the fish tank  46  and transported into the clarifier  300 . 
         [0091]    The only opening in the bottom of the grow tray  600  is a single three inch hole where the knock out  1  for mounting the self-siphoning automatic trip valve  48 . The water flow path is from the fish tank  46  to the clarifier  300 , to the head of grow tray  600  through a spreader  94  placed under the gravel  86   b  to fill the grow tray  600  to the predetermined level and back into the fish tank  46 . The grow tray  600  is level in both directions across its entirety. 
         [0092]    The calibrated air displacement pump  47  and the automatic trip valve  48  are generally prefabricated off site and provided as complete, working assemblies to insure quality control in the field. 
         [0093]    The connecting conduit pipes are generally PVC pipe, but can be made of any material that is non-toxic to fish and plants. The control system  70  can be as simple as a power strip similar to buss bar  75  with an analogue 24-hour timer  74  to a completely automated control and monitoring system  74  housed in a control center  70  and provided with backup power and remote monitor and control capability. 
         [0094]    The clarifier  300  (See also  FIG. 3 ) can be as simple as a 30 to 55 gallon plastic food grade drum  28  or as complex as a custom made roto-molded cone bottom tank with internally secured baffle  29  and inflow  26 ,  27 ,  37 ,  31  and overflow pipe  33 ,  36 ,  27 ,  26 , all molded in place. 
       Snap Together Grow Tray Top View (FIG. 8) 
       [0095]    Incorporates all the elements (above) of a modular grow tray  600 , readily assembled using plastic-components. The snap together grow tray may be easily modified to adjust for size. 
         [0096]    The snap together grow tray ( FIG. 8 ) is comprised of three basic components which are injection molded or fabricated from stock on site or combined with other materials which can be made waterproof. The snap together grow tray consists of three separate pieces: an end panel  95  with a mounting hole for an automatic trip valve/self-siphoning assembly  48 , a reversible center section  96 , a long end section  100  with an ATV mounting hole  1  which are snapped together at waterproofed spline joints to form a snap together grow tray varying in length from 10 feet to 42 feet. The width is generally 6 feet wide but can be reduced to 5 feet wide through special order. 
         [0097]    The short tray end panel  95  of the snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) is five to six feet wide with a depth of six and a half to nine inches and side walls extending ten to twelve inches into the snap together grow tray area (length) with a splined waterproofed joint on the open end where the center tray  96  consisting of two parts that are exactly the same are mounted through the joint  101  of the snap together grow tray and placed against the end piece  95  with a spline  101  attach. 
         [0098]    In summary, the center section  96  of the snap together grow tray consists of two separate pieces six feet long that are identical and interchangeable. They are assembled with the spline  101  and aligned to fit into the short end tray  95  on one end and the long-end tray  100  on the other end. Multiple sections of the center section  96  may be assembled to create a longer snap together grow tray to most effectively utilize the space available. 
         [0099]    The center tray section  96  can be repeated six times resulting in a snap together grow tray 42 feet in length. The long end-tray  100  of the snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) is six feet wide and having a depth of six and a half inches and side walls extending 24 to 36 inches into the tray area (length) with a splined waterproofed joint  101  on the open end where the center tray  96  of the snap together grow tray is placed against the end piece  100  with a spline  101  attachment. 
         [0100]    The width can vary from four to six feet depending on client specifications. The leg heights can be adjusted within a narrow range depending on the height of the fish tank  46  and clearance required for the snap together grow tray. 
       I. Snap Together Grow Tray End View FIG. 9 
       [0101]    End View of the Snap Together Grow Tray as indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0102]    The snap together grow tray, end view ( FIG. 9 ) is comprised of four basic components which are injection molded or fabricated from stock on site or combined with other materials which can be made waterproofed. The width is generally 6 feet wide but can be reduced to 5 feet wide through special order. The snap together grow tray end view ( FIG. 9 ) shows the three separate pieces ( 95 ,  96 ,  100 ). 
         [0103]    The structures  97 ,  99 ,  98  that support the snap together grow tray end view ( FIG. 9 ) are molded legs  97 ,  98  and a crossbeam  99  placed on 3 to 4 foot centers to assure the snap together grow tray ( FIG. 8 ) level is maintained in both directions. Leg levelers  98  are included to compensate for uneven floor surfaces. The leg  97  and crossbeam  99  structures are designed to snap into the center section  96  of the grow tray ( FIG. 8 ) in such a way that the increased pressure increases the stability of the snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ). 
         [0104]    The length of the snap together grow tray ( FIG. 9 ) can vary from 10 feet to 42 feet and the width can vary from four to six feet depending on client specifications. The leg heights can be adjusted within a narrow range depending on the height of the fish tank  46  and clearance required for the snap together grow tray ( FIG. 8 ) and the braces  405  can be placed to insure maximum stability of the snap together grow tray ( FIG. 9 ). 
       J. Snap Together Grow Tray, Fish Tank And Clarifier FIG. 10 
       [0105]    The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) is comprised of three basic components: 1) fish tank  46 , 2) grow tray, and 3) clarifier  28  which are injection molded, roto-molded, or fabricated from stock on site or combined with other materials which can be made waterproof. The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 10 ) consists of a grow tray fish tank  46  and clarifier  300  and which are the three major components of the modular aquaponic system ( FIG. 8 ) and lend themselves to alternative fabrication methods and materials. This snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 10 ) still requires the technology components of the control system  70 , automatic trip valve  48 , calibrated air displacement pump  47  and connecting devices as shown in numbered sub-elements in  FIGS. 1 through 8  in order to function properly for growing healthy plants and fish. 
         [0106]    The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) is prefabricated in factories for easy shipping to and installation in any location in the world. The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) ensures high quality control, consistency in design and ease of assembly and installation. The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) is designed to be assembled using local semi-skilled labor with minimal use of tools and materials. 
         [0107]    Success in assembly is enhanced by the use of waterproof sealing materials and assembly jigs to ensure stability, water flow characteristics and to guarantee the success of the system for growing plants and aquatic animals. 
         [0108]    The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) differs from the current state of technology which uses wood, cement, pond liners and plastic drums comprising the various elements and requiring field assembly of the system utilizing local materials and labor. 
         [0109]    The fish tank  46  capacity can be sized according to the volume of the grow tray ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) according to the formula described elsewhere herein. The size of the clarifier  300  can be adjusted according to the size of the fish tank  46 . 
         [0110]    The materials used in the snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) must be food grade and may include ABS plastic, polycarbonate, fiberglass, or other plastic type materials or any combination thereof as conditions or specifications require. 
       K. Water Flow Diagram FIG. 11 
       [0111]    The water travels from the fish tank  46  by way of the calibrated air displacement pump  47  to the clarifier  300  through the overflow pipe  33 ,  37 ,  27 ,  26 ,  38  to the spreader  94  at the head of the grow tray  600 . When the water reaches a level predetermined by the automatic trip valve assembly  48 , it drains back into the fish tank  46 . 
         [0112]    Lifting the water from the fish tank  46  to the clarifier  300  with the calibrated air displacement pump  47  through the use of an air pump  56  is the only time energy is required to move the water in the Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 7 ), the rest of the water flow is gravity powered. 
         [0113]    The size of the grow tray  600 , fish tank  46  and clarifier  300  are all adjustable depending on the requirements of the installation. 
       L. Snap Together of Main Elements of the Invention 
       [0114]    To simplify the assembly and reduce the need for sourcing of local materials for building a Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 7 ), the prefabricated snap-together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) offers a standardized complete component based system that can be custom ordered, based on client needs, and shipped anywhere in the world for assembly and operation by semi-skilled labor. 
         [0115]    The snap together Modular Aquaponics System ( FIG. 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) components are designed to be palletized for shipping through conventional carriers (air freight, shipping containers or trucks) to any area in the world. The shipment can also include solar power systems, potable water systems, electrical generators, starter medium and seeds to any area requiring food. 
       M. Alternative Embodiments of Invention 
       [0116]    Modular aquaponic system ( FIG. 7 ). 
         [0117]    The modular aquaponic system ( FIG. 8 ) can be constructed of concrete or plastic in its entirety. It can also be made from components which are injection molded, roto-molded, fabricated from stock on site or combined with other materials which can be made waterproof. 
         [0118]    The calibrated air displacement pump  47  and the automatic trip valve assembly  48  are generally fabricated off site to insure quality control. 
         [0119]    The connecting conduit pipes are generally PVC pipe, but can be made of any material that is non-toxic to fish and plants. The control system  70  can be as simple as a power strip similar to buss bar  75  with an analogue  24 -hour timer  74  to a completely automated control and monitoring system ( FIG. 5 ) housed in a control center  70  and provided with backup power and remote monitor and control capability. 
         [0120]    Snap Together Grow Tray—End View ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0121]    The width can vary from four to six feet depending on client specifications. The leg heights can be adjusted within a narrow range depending on the height of the fish tank  46  and clearance required for the grow tray. 
         [0122]    Snap Together Grow tray—Top View ( FIG. 9 ). 
         [0123]    The length of the grow tray can vary from 10 feet to 42 feed and the width can vary from four to six feet depending on client specifications. The leg heights can be adjusted within a narrow range depending on the height of the fish tank  46  and clearance required for the grow tray ( FIG. 7 ) and the braces can be placed to insure maximum stability of the grow tray. 
         [0124]    Snap Together Grow Tray, Fish Tank and Clarifier—Side View ( FIG. 10 ). 
         [0125]    The length of the grow tray can vary from 10 feet to 42 feed and the width can vary from four to six feet depending on client specifications. The leg height can be adjusted within a narrow range depending on the height of the fish tank  46  and clearance required for the grow tray and the braces can be placed to insure maximum stability of the grow tray. The location of the clarifier  300  the fish tank  46  and the control panel  70  can vary depending on the space available and the requirements of the client. 
         [0126]    What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest, reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.