Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Came accross this hydroponic system that uses 2L bottles. The screw caps are glued into 25mm pvc pipe with 1/2 bottles on top. The list is :-

http://www.hydroponicsonline.com

These bottles could be extended to make this into a vertical or tower system.
Just need a support structure for the towers.

There is a standpipe to keep the level constant for all the bottles. The return has an airhole to stop the siphon effect. Whatif, this single standpipe was used with a flood & drain, then a single siphon could drain all the growbeds at once. Everything would need to be level. Could remove the need for a sump tank.
Interesting.

could be good for a small aquarium setup

Oh and welcome

Some good ideas in there Ron... could convert them into incorporating AP really easily as well.

I see at one stage you were going to incorporate a koi pond and waterfall... did you go ahead?

Welcome....

Daniel & RupertOfOZ many thanks.
Been lurking for a long time. Just dreaming, gathering onfo from the masters. On day, I hope real experience will mean I can contribute in meaniful way. Many thanks keeping the spirit and desire to strive going.

Hi Ron,
Nice idea for recycling bottles
Not sure if you have them over there but 4 or 6 pint milk containers are useful too.
The elongated hole for the handle is ideal for threading them onto a length of timber. Make the support frame like a louvre panel and you`ve got a vertical wall of upside down angled milk containers.
You do have to watch the roots don`t block the drain holes though.

A few more ideas here
http://www.recycling.moonfruit.com/

Welcome from the shadows funku!

You'd pay a fortune in PVC fittings for the 11 bottle one...

Hex, nice link inventive
dave the pvc would be expensive. if scaled large enough replacing the bottles with growbeds, then a single siphon would run the drain side of things.

I saw another vertical system that used plastic funnels to seat the vertical pvc pipe and returns. I thought I would use bottles rather than a tray. The screw cap would fit to poly and make it easier to remove, clean, inspect, transport.

Rupe knows where to find some scale size wheelie bins if u need a sump, hehe.