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From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
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Author:  ryangus [ Aug 27th, '08, 16:27 ]
Post subject:  From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
Just getting started in AP, and all I have is an old bathtub that currently has lillies growing in it. I just want to start with something small, and don't know whether I should use the bath for a grow bed or fish tank. Perhaps a grow bed would be a better use for it?

If I use it as a grow bed, what size fish tank should I aim for?

If I use is as a fish tank, what size grown bed?

At this stage, edible fish production is a want not a need. If I use it as a grow bed, a mate can weld me a stand for it, and I'll probably use gravity to drain into the fish tank.

Suggestions/advice most appreciated.

Ranga
Author:  EllKayBee [ Aug 27th, '08, 18:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
G'day Ranga,
a bathtub can be used for either but my preference would be to use it as a GB

Fish Tank
ideal water depth is 600-800mm...too shallow and the water temp ranges too much, go deeper and it becomes a chore to harvest the fish

Volume - the greater the water volume, the more stable the system in terms of daily temp variations and nutrient levels, Bunnings are selling 500 litre water tanks for $59 or you may have something else in mind - my preference is to have a round fish tank but some are using the 1,000 litre IBC very successfully.

The general rule of thumb is 2:1...200 litres of GB media to 100 liter of fish water will support a maximum of 6kg of fish weight (this is the max levels for experienced Apers to have nice healthy fish and plant growth)

My system is 3,000 litres of fish water - 3,000 litres of GB media and 18kg of fish
or my FT/GB ratio is 1:1 which is capable of supporting ~90kg of fish - so I am in no way stressing my system :D

I recommend staying below 3kg/100l of fish water and the system will hummmmmmmm :wink:

Digest what others will be advising as well then toss up a few more questions on what you don't understand :D
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Aug 27th, '08, 18:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
Use it as a growbed, and use a 1/2 IBC (if you can get them cheap) or use the bunning ones as the fish tank.

Pump in IBC, drains back from bathtub.
Author:  ryangus [ Aug 27th, '08, 18:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
So, if I were to get a 500l tank from Bunnings for the fish, how many bathtubs GBs and how many fish (probably silver or jade perch) could this support?

Also, given that could bury the FT a bit to ensure the GBs could gravity feed back to it, what pump would you recommend? Also, being the simple setup that I'm planning, would you recommend a float or electronic timer for the pump?
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Aug 27th, '08, 19:24 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
For 500 liters - aim for 10-20 nice sized fish = 5-10kg - which will require 2 bathtubs to run without getting into trouble. This gives some room for larger or more fish once you are experienced.

Use a 1000lph cheapy pump from ebay or somesuch, 1/2 hour on 1/2 hour off to get started via a standard $8 bunning timer. As you gain experience in running the system, modify the timing to suit your application.

I wouldnt worry about standpipes etc in a bathtub, just run the water inlet line down the middle of the bathub, with 6mm holes about 5cm apart, and drain out the bathplug hole.
Author:  ryangus [ Aug 27th, '08, 19:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
Thanks for the help. I'll keep my eye out for another bath tub and pump.
Author:  Outbackozzie [ Aug 27th, '08, 19:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Submersible-Fountain-Pond-Water-Pump-1500L-H-NEW-Jebao_W0QQitemZ260279909467QQihZ016QQcategoryZ20754QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The one above will give you around 1000lph at your bathtub height.

Inneficient, not quiet (but you know they are working), cheap.

I had 6 of them all up - only 1 has died so far - and they have been run dry quite a few times.

One remains in service with 4 as spares :roll:
Author:  EllKayBee [ Aug 28th, '08, 10:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: From bathtub to aquaponics - advice needed
Love that built in redundancy OBO :D

Log all the queries and what you are not sure on and we can cover it on the w'end :wink:
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