xxviiiFigure 11. Constructed Prototype. Left: Fish Tank; Right: Bed & Stand. Piping has not been cemented yet.
The purpose of building the prototype provides a testing platform for our system and allowed us to work
out the fine details of construction. There are a few additions that still need to be made to the
prototype system for completion. The team has yet to implement the plumbing and drainage system,
we have made the appropriate cuts for these fixtures but we have not permanently cemented them in
place as the aquaponic system will need to be moved off site to the greenhouse's location. The
prototype aquaponic system will be moved on site to Worcester Roots after the completion of the
project.
I.vi Conclusion and Recommendations
The team successfully created a greenhouse design to enable efficient year round operation. This design
provides a solid starting point for prospective aquaponic greenhouse builders, even if their specific
requirements are different from that of Worcester Roots. Although ultimately our design was not
constructed due to a generous donation of an existing greenhouse, the design provides a solid
foundation for future constructions, and informs any possible modifications Worcester Roots may want
to make to the donated greenhouse.
The team also created a design for a modular, easily replicable aquaponic growing system. The design
was successfully built as a prototype of the system which includes a growing bed, a stand for the