A how to video about creating the racks for the vertical grow aquaponics system. Learn more about ZipGrow towers here: http://brightagrotech.com/zipgrow/

1. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
WITH ZIPGROW TOWERS

2. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Required Tools
Tape measure
Square
Screws
1-1/8” spade bit
Drill
Skilsaw
Pipe cutter
You Will Need…

3. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Parts & Pieces
8 x 5’ towers
2 x 12’ 2”x4”
lumber
4 x 10’ 2”x4”
lumber
2” drain pipe
3 x 10’ steel
conduit
2 x 5’ gutter
4 gutter caps
2 x 3/4” drain
fitting
3/4” drain pipe
2” Ell adaptors
8 Hanging Hooks
3/4” or 1/2” Black Poly
Irrigation Tubing
55 Gallon Sump Tank
275-335 gallon IBC
(Intermediate Bulk Container)
Pump

4. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting Lumber to Size
Cut 3 x 10’ boards & 2 x
6’ boards in half
6’ Lengths
3 X 5’ Lengths
Step 1
Remaining 10’ board
(uncut)

5. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction
5’ Piece
6’ Pieces
Screw 5’ piece to face
of frame (2 screws)
Make sure the frame
is square
2 Extra 5’ Pieces
Step 2
Step 3

6. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Initial Frame Construction
Cont’d
Screw second 5’
board to back of
frame (2 screws)
Step 4
Remaining 5’ cross brace

7. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Frame Construction
Bisect remaining 5’
board at a 45 degree
angle to make the
cross braces
Step 5
2.5’ cross braces

8. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Strengthening the Frame
Step 6
Insert cross brace in
between base boards
Step 7
Ensure 45 degree angle is
married up to 6’ frame and
between base boards
Insert screws at base
boards and cross
brace
Step 8
Remaining cross
brace

9. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Frame
Step 9
Repeat steps 6-8 to
complete the frame.

10. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Drilling the Holes for Steel Conduit
Bore holes into 6’
supports using
1 1/8” spade bit
Step 10
Step 11
Repeat steps 2-10 to
construct second
rack

11. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Creating the In-Ground Sump Tank
Step 12
Dig hole for sump
Make sure the tank rests
below ground

12. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPOICS SYSTEM
Running the Return Line
Place 2” return pipe
to drain into sump
Step 13
*Optional to dig trough for
drainage pipe to keep drain
level

13. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump Construction
Step 14
Place first side of
rack toward the
sump tank
Rack is perpendicular to
return pipe

14. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Rack and Sump Construction
Place second
side of rack
opposite of sump
tank
Step 15

15. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Cutting the Conduit to Size
Gather 3 X 10’ steel
conduit
Step 16
2 x 10’ conduit
2 x 5’ conduit
Step 17
Cut 1 conduit into 2 x 5’
lengths

16. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Inserting the Conduit
Run steel conduit
through rack
holes
Step 18
*This may require forcing the
conduit into the holes

17. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Completing the Rack
Step 19
Fasten conduit cross
pieces with zip ties

18. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Getting the Gutter Ready
Step 20
Bore 3/4” drain hole
in gutter
End caps X2
Add drain fitting;
(may require PVC
glue)
Step 21

19. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Constructing the Drain
Place gutters (with caps)
perpendicular to return pipe
Step 22
Bore hole in 2” return pipe
to match gutter drainage
hole
Step 23
leveling
2”x4” (varied
size)
Place 2”x4” leveling piece
on opposite sump tank to
ensure draining gradient
Step 24

20. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Hanging the Towers
Hang the towers so
they drain into the
gutter
Step 25

21. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Pump and IBC Placement
Place IBC next to drain
pipe
Step 26
Drain via S.L.O. (solids
lifting overflow)
Place pump in sump
Step 27

22. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Installing IBC Drain
Step 28
Cut the 3/4” PVC pipe
and attach both Ell
adaptors to insert into
IBC and sump
*We recommend using PVC glue
to bind the pipe and Ell adaptors

23. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Insert 3/4” poly tubing
into IBC
Step 29
Insert 3/4” poly tubing
into pump located on
bottom of sump
Step 30
Use a Tee to split the
tubing into sump
Step 31

24. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Add valve for pressure
control
Run irrigation line
down 6’ beam with zip
ties
Step 31
Step 32

25. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line
across 5’ base
beam
Step 33

26. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line up
adjacent 6’ beam
Step 34
*Optional valve
placement

27. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line up
adjacent 6’ beam
Connect tubing together
using valves
Step 34 cont’d
Step 35

28. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Run irrigation line
along conduit and
turn it along the end
without kinking the
tubing
!
*Snake along the
conduit in a
serpentine pattern
Step 35
*Irrigation line ends
here

29. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Running the Irrigation Line
Step 36
Punch holes into tubing
directly above towers
(about 18” apart)
Add drip emitters (7-10
gal/hr) into punched
holes
Step 37

30. ASSEMBLING A VERTICAL AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
The Completed System
Congratulations! Now
you are ready to produce
fresh, healthy, vertically
grown food!