Hello All,
I was hoping I could get some input from you guys on ways to improve a system I’m designing. I plan on building it out of epoxy painted plywood and 4x4 posts My plans are to design a combination flood and drain system with auto siphons on the 6 large grow beds and continuous flow for the small overhead beds and the vertical grow columns
Some of my requirements are?
- The use of only one pump (and nothing else if possible)
- Grow a minimum of 60 fish from start to finish with a many veggies as possible
- Easily covered as a greenhouse when needed (I live in Florida)
- As self-sustaining as possible in regards to feed & power supply (that’s a whole other set of questions I’ll make another post for if I don’t get run out of town for this one .)
- Fit in a approx 12’x12’ space
THE TANK
The tank size is 96”x48”x30” (24’ at water line) (478 gal.)
Has a overflow hole in the side and the drain line that goes to the pump has a valve that can be used to empty the tank
THE PUMP
Can I get away with this set up?
The pump has one inlet and is split into 3 outlets
Outlet 1 - Supplies the sump which has a float valve
Outlet 2 – Supplies the continuous flow grow beds
Outlet 3 – redirect back into the tank to create a constant current (not shown in pictures)
Do any of you foresee a problem with me doing this: Setting up the inlet with an extended hose inside the tank so I can use it to vacuum solids if need be and putting a disconnect on the Outlet 2 so I can use it as a hose for whatever maybe needed?
THE SUMP
I’m planning on adjusting the sump size after determining the volume needed for the grow beds filled with media
On the sump, should I design it with 2 levels on the bottom. The higher level has the float valve drain used to flood the beds and the lower level used to collect solids has just a ball valve drain I can use to drain them. Or should I pump the water with enough force to agitate the solids and mix them evenly into the water before draining?
THE BEDS
The 6 large grow beds (flood & drain) are 60”x18”x12” filled with gravel
Small grow beds (continuous flow) are 60”x 6”x.6” filled with perlite
Vertical columns (continuous flow) are 6” x 48” filled with perlite
The water supply to each bed is controlled by a valve hopefully allowing me to adjust. shut down or add beds as needed. (note: continuous flow plumbing will be simpler then shown)
In the grow beds would a false bottom allowing a 1 inch space for any surplus solids to sink into and then exit back into the tank aid in cleaning the gravel, drain time or anything else, or is it a bad idea?
A few other questions
- Will this set up work?
- How many fish can I humanely keep in this size tank and 2 pounds each?
- Do I need more or fewer grow beds for this size tank at full fish capacity?
- If all the beds & columns are running (and draining back into the tank) will this provide enough oxygen or will I need an air stone? If I don’t need a air stone will there be enough oxygen in the water from a day of running that I can turn the system off at night and still not need an air stone (at full fish capacity)?
Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.
Chris
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