Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and have signed up because can't seem to find anything online about my question. I've just started an about 1300lt system with just two grow beds so I want to add some Dutch buckets. And my question is: would I be able to run a fill line into the bottom of the first bucket and the drainage line at the top as an overflow running to the bottom of the next bucket and so on and have the buckets constantly full of recirculating water (and scoria aggregate) from the fish tank to the buckets to the sump?!? My concern is that it may be a problem for the roots not flooding and draining?!? Would love to know if its possible?!? Thanks

Shouldn't be a problem if you have a reasonable flow through the system and buckets. Most of my systems were running continuous flow/flood in the growbeds, so a similar thing really. If your water is well oxygenated then plants will be fine.

Excellent, I'll be hooking up an airation compressor soon that should ensure the water has plenty of oxygen in it!!! Thanks heaps I'll post how it goes when I have them up and running!!!

No problem with the constant flood though if it were me I would have a feed into each bucket and then drain out to a larger diameter pipe for the return. That would ensure plants get equal levels of nutrient.

In a cascade the first plants will get more than the subsequent and if something goes wrong water wont move through. Sharing the flow across multiple buckets will give you some spread.

Wont be too much issue with oxygen as long as the water is splashing and you have a reasonable air gap (water level in bucket is 4-5cm below the media surface, or even 10cm).
Shouldn't need additional air.

What are you using for buckets ?
(maybe some pics ?)