Unit 5: Phase 5: Capstone Mini Aquaponics System Design

Students will know how scaling affects system stability.
Students will understand how fish load, plant mass, and bacterial colonization interact in small systems.
Students will recognize common causes of instability in aquaponics.
Students will understand how design decisions influence biological outcomes.

Students will develop a blueprint for a 10 gallon aquaponics system.
Students will justify plant selection and fish stocking decisions.
Students will construct a mini aquaponics system.
Students will monitor water parameters and determine readiness for fish introduction.
Students will analyze system performance and propose redesigns if necessary.

Group design proposal
Functional mini aquaponics build
System monitoring log
Individual reflection paper analyzing performance and redesign