Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All. I am trying to set up a project for a few of my students. I have set up a small AP system with a 12 gallon tank and a small GB out of PVC pipe. We plan to grow simple veggies.

Can anyone think of how we could also relate this to physics? The only thing I can think of is water flow. Anyone? Thanks!!

HN

pump head? Bell Siphons?

is there a pump? the electrical currents?

How about the following.

Flow rates,
Gravitational potential
Pipe resistance to flow.
Electric 'Probe' level sensors (conducting through water)
Pump cycle time on/off efficiency vs continuous flow.
Growbed weight and beam flex spec calcs for design of stands.
heating capabilities of growbeds
Cooling curves of fish tanks.

Ummm I'm spent, that's all I can think of.

latent heat and phase change
and at a push, the wavelengths of light used by the plants

What level of physics?

On the lower math/physics end; displacement of water by gravel (this is actually a pretty common question among APers. ie "I have a 100 gallon grow bed and a 200 gallon fish tank, when I flood my grow bed is the fish tank level going to drop in half?" or "Once I put in gravel, how much water will it take to flood my grow bed?")

Definitely, siphons could be fun for the kids to tinker with for hands on projects for almost any level.

For the higher levels I think you have already gotten many suggestions.