Task #1. Quick Overview: Wipe white residue build- up off one of the show tanks (class tank) Procedure: 10. Wash hands.

Transcription

1 Task #1 Quick Overview: Wipe white residue build- up off one of the show tanks (class tank) 2. Get green bin labeled #1, which contains supplies. 3. If needed, make hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) solution. If already premixed, then skip this step. To create solution get orange 5 gallon bucket labeled hydrogen peroxide solutions. Use cleaning solution brand H 2 O 2 and water. The ratio is 3 ml of H 2 O 2 to 4 L of water. Use the 10 ml graduated cylinder and 1000 ml beaker (1000 ml = 1 L). Hydrogen peroxide solution will be used to clean off the white residue. 4. Spray hydrogen peroxide solution on the white residue and scrub with sponges and brushes to remove. Make sure you thoroughly cover all sides of the fish tubs. Scrub down the area(s) until the white residue is completely gone. 5. Repeat the above steps if needed. Make on all 3 show tanks (class tanks). 6. Clean the piping leading into the fish tank. There should be no yellow residue or algae growing. 7. Clean the tubes for the airstones. Use a sponge to remove all of the algae/slime. 8. Clean the inside of the tank with a sponge to remove any algae growing at the water surface. 9. Return all supplies to the green bin labeled #1. Check materials included against material list. Put the bin back where it was found. 10. Wash hands. 11. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 1

2 Task #2 Quick Overview: Break up the debris in the dark blue show tank under the grow bed with the wire broom. 2. Get green bin labeled #2, which contains extra supplies. 3. Get wire broom from the hook along the east wall. 4. Sweep away debris, with the wire broom, to the back end of the tub away from the pump. Do so gently to minimize water spilling over the sides and kicking too much sediment into the tank. 5. If the wire brush cannot fully remove build up from the sides and top of the tank, use a small cleaning brush to scrub the sides clean. Make sure to also get the water spouts and piping leading to the grow bed and piping attached to the pump. 6. Scrub off debris from the pump if requested by your instructor. 7. When finished, rinse wire broom using water at the sink. 8. Put wire broom back on the hook at the station. Put away tub labeled #2 where you found it. 9. Wash hands. 10. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 2

3 Task #3 Quick Overview: Wipe down brown build- up inside one of show tank window. Clean the standpipe from one of the show tanks (class tank). Maintain the propagation rack. Show Window 2. Get green bin labeled #3 which contains supplies. 3. Use a sponge to wipe down the inside window of one of the show tanks 4. Also clean any algae growing above the water level all the way around the tank. 5. Watch out for fish! Stand Pipe 1. Remove standpipe, found in the left lower hand corner of the show tank. 2. Use a brush or sponges to scrub off debris and build up. 3. Return stand pipe to the show tank. 4. Wash hands and put away tub #3 where you found it. Propagation Rack 1. Make sure water is flowing to all of the racks that contain seedlings or microgreens. 2. Clean the algae off the bottom and sides of each growing rack using a brush. 3. Clean the top of the water reservoir attached to the propagation rack. 4. Open the lid of the reservoir. Make sure there is enough water; the water level should be between the 35 and 45 gallon mark. If not, call over the students performing Task #7. 5. Lift the pump in the reservoir and clean any algae and seed that are stuck to the pump. Throw the debris away in the garbage. 6. The water in the reservoir should be relatively clear. If the water is very brown or filled with algae, call your instructor for further instructions. 7. Finally, consult your instructor on any seeds that need planted or transplanted. 8. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 3

4 Task #4 Quick Overview: Sweep up the ground using a broom around the classroom tank and other designated areas. Clean the upstairs computer area. Sweeping 2. Get green bin labeled #4. 3. Gather materials, broom and dust pan, from the storage room. 4. Sweep around the classroom tank and then ask the instructor what other designated area they would like you to do. REMEMBER the area under the living wall should be done last. 5. Once finished make sure all debris goes into the dust pan. 6. Empty dust pan into the trash. 7. Put away the materials into the closet and return green bin labeled #4 to where you found it. 8. Wash hands. 9. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Computer Area 1. Pick up any trash/paper on the floor or desks and put in the garbage. 2. Reattach the plastic brackets for the legs of the chairs if they fall off. 3. Push all of the chairs under the desks. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 4

5 Task #5 Quick Overview: Water plants in our classroom (439) throughout the week (as needed) and any in the lab not in an aquaponics system. Mop up the floors around the classroom tank and other designated areas. 1. If you have task #5, you must also monitor the classroom plants and grow racks throughout the week. When it looks like plants or the racks need water, use the purple watering bucket to water plants. 2. In the aquaponics lab, get spray bottles located on the grow rack and water all the plants in the lab that are not part of an aquaponic system. 3. Wash hands. 4. Get green bin labeled #5. 5. Make sure to wait until after the group sweeps. 6. Gather materials, mop and orange mop bucket, from the storage room. 7. Fill mop bucket with water from sink using plastic container. Add 25 ml of simple green all- purpose cleaner to the water using the beaker to measure. 8. Place mop into bucket to wet it and then squeeze out excess water. 9. Mop around the classroom tank and then ask the instructor what other designated area they would like you to do. 10. To mop use a zig- zag overlapping motion, move the mop to clean the surface. 11. Repeat steps until floor is sparkling clean. 12. After finished mopping squeeze out all excess water and then dispose of dirty mop bucket water into the sink. 13. Put away the materials into the closet and return green bin labeled #5 to where you found it. 14. Wash hands. 15. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 5

6 Task #6 Quick Overview: Maintain the fish tanks for baby fish or sick fish. Wipe down the sink, clean, polish, and dry to prevent rust and bacteria build up. Fish Tanks 1. Make sure the pumps are running and there is enough water in each tank. If not, call over the students performing Task #7. 2. Clean the sides of the fish tank with the Mag- Float or a clean sponge. There should be no white residue or algae when you are finished. Sink 1. Clean the handwashing sink and two compartments of the main sink. Before cleaning the last compartment, make sure that you also wait for the mopping group to dump their dirty water and other students to wash their hands before you are done and dry the sink completely. Tip: clean 2 sinks and have everyone else use the last one. 2. Wash hands. 3. Get green bin labeled #6. 4. Spray sink with Simple Green Stainless Steel Cleaner. Make sure the cleaner is used on no other cleaning utensils other than what is provided in the green bin labeled #6. 5. Grab a sponge and scrub away debris in all four sinks. 6. Make sure there is no rust remaining. 7. Rinse the sink and sponges. 8. Dry sink with orange sham- wow towels. Wring out water from towel. 9. If clean, hang the damp towel over the edge of the sink. If soiled, put dirty sham- wow towels in the hamper. 10. Remember to wait until the other groups have finished before you are done with the sink. 11. Put all supplies back into green bin. Return the green bin to where you found it. 12. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 6

7 Task #7 Quick Overview: Check water levels in the classroom tank, show tank, living wall reservoir, and propagation rack reservoir. 2. Locate instructions on the water tank along east wall. 3. Before using the DECLORINATED WATER in the reservoir make sure the sign indicates the water has been settling for 24 hours so that there is no chlorine. 4. Before filling any tanks, check the current water levels to ensure that you do not overfill the container. 5. Classroom tank: If the pump in the light blue tub of the class tank is exposed to air or barely covered with water fill to the black line indicated on the light blue tub. 6. Show tank: If the yellow pump in the dark blue tub is exposed to air fill until the yellow pump is fully submerged. 7. Living wall tub: fill to just under the brim. 8. Propagation rack tub: fill to just under the brim. 9. To use water, first make sure you plug the water pump into the electrical outlet. WARNING! You must unplug the pump from the wall when you are done or you will burn out the motor. 10. Carefully unwind the hose and make sure your group members supervise to ensure other classmates do not trip on the hose. 11. Make sure you open the hose using the side lever on the spout once you are at the tub. 12. When you are done, MAKE SURE to unplug the pump from the outlet, make sure the spout is closed to prevent leaking, and wind the hose back up. 13. Unplug the water pump from the electrical outlet. 14. REREAD STEP 12 and 13. THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT! 15. Put all supplies back into green bin. Return the green bin to where you found it. 16. Wash your hands. 17. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 7

8 Task #8 Quick Overview: Prune living wall and other dead or dying plants. Take care of compost bins. Mist plants on living wall. Test water ph of the living wall. 2. Get green bin labeled #8. 3. To remove dead or dying plants either manually pull with your hands or use scissors to cut off. 4. Use the green container to collect dead leaves. 5. The ladder is located next to the propagation rack, make sure to put back up against the wall when done. 6. Use ladder to reach the top of the living wall. Remember safety first, use 3 points of contact (2 feet & 1 hand) on the ladder always. 7. Clean up work area and dispose of dead leaves in the compost bin. 8. Shred or chop the leaves or other materials to add to the compost bins. It helps them to break down more quickly. Any food scraps and green leaves need to be buried or mixed into the center of the pile. 9. Maintain compost by turning it or mixing it each time you add material, or about once a week. Add water to keep the compost moist. 10. Mist seedlings and microgreens in propagation rack with spray bottle. 11. Using the ph test strip, take one strip and dip into water tub. Compare color of ph strip to indicator on container. Inform instructor of results. 12. If instructed, add 10 ml of ph Down product to water tub. 13. Put all supplies back into green bin. Return the green bin to where you found it. 14. Wash your hands. 15. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 8

9 Task #9 Quick Overview: Take water quality readings and post the results for the class tank and show system. 2. Get green bin labeled #9. 3. Collect 4 test tubes and fill each one with 5 ml of water from class fish tank. 4. Read and follow instructions for water chemistry testing found below for the following 4 tests: ph, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites. 5. Read directions thoroughly before testing. Do not allow test solution to get into aquaponics system. 6. Determine the ph, Ammonia, and Nitrite reading by matching the color of the solution against those on the Color Chart. The tube should be viewed against the white area. Find your results in ppm. 7. Record results on the classroom sheet located on the wall with a dry erase marker. Make sure you are recording on the proper sheet for your class. 8. Dispose of liquid in the sink and rinse container. 9. Repeat step 3-8 for the show system water. 10. Put all supplies back into green bin. Return the green bin to where you found it. 11. Wash your hands. 12. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Directions for Testing ph 1. Add three drops of test ph Solution, holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops. 2. Cap the test tube and invert tube several times to mix solution. Do not hold finger over open end of tube, as this may affect the test results. Directions for Testing Ammonia Levels 1. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test Solution Bottle #1, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of 7 drops added to the water sample. 2. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test Solution Bottle #2, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops added to the water sample. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 9

10 3. Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Do not hold finger over the open end of the tube, as this may affect the test results. 4. Wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Directions for Nitrite Levels 1. Add five drops of test Nitrite Solution, holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops. 2. Cap the test tube and invert tube several times to mix solution. Do not hold finger over open end of tube, as this may affect the test results. 3. Wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Directions for Testing Nitrate Levels 1. Add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution Bottle #1, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of 10 drops added to the water sample. 2. Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Do not hold finger over the open end of the tube, as this may affect the test results. 3. Shake Nitrate Test Solution Bottle #2 for 30 seconds prior to using. NOTE: THIS STEP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE ACCURACY. 4. Add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution Bottle #2, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops added to the water sample. 5. Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Do not hold finger over the open end of the tube, as this may affect the test results. NOTE: THIS STEP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE ACCURACY. 6. Wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Sample results: ph: 6.0 Ammonia: 0.5 ppm Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 120 ppm Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 9

11 Task #10 Quick Overview: Remove pests from classroom grow bed. Harvest produce and prune plants as requested by your instructor. Procedures: 2. Get green bin labeled # Find your classroom grow bed. 4. With your group examine every leaf individually for the pests. You may find aphids, slugs, or other creatures. 5. When pests are found first, use manual methods to remove pests. You can use tweezers or your hands. Make sure to be careful not to damage healthy plants. 6. If a plant is more severely infested, use natural pest mitigation spray, Neem Oil solution. Shake spray bottle before use to separate oils. 7. If spray bottle of Neem Oil is empty follow the steps to make more. Use 5- gallon orange bucket labeled Neem Oil Solution to mix your product. First shake bottle of concentrated neem oil and add 10 ml of neem oil to bucket. Then add 2 L (2000 ml) of water. Swirl water to make a consistent solution. Use a funnel to fill the spray bottle with Neem Oil solution. 8. If the plant is covered in pests, check with your instructor and carefully remove the plant from the system. 9. Then, prune any other plants in the class grow bed. Using pruning shears found in a bin that is labeled. The goal of pruning is to remove all of the dead or unhealthy leaves from the plants in the classroom. Put all the dead leaves in the compost bin or the garbage. 10. Put all supplies back into green bin. Return the green bin to where you found it. 11. Wash your hands. 12. Check out with your instructor to ensure your task is complete. Aquaponics Lab Maintenance Task # 10