Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What is the advantage of the pcv grid with holes to distibute water around the gb?

Some peolpe use then and some do not. I know there must be a good reason for them because the BYAP kits come with them, but for my way of thinking without them in flood and drain fresh water is still evenly distributed to all parts of the GB media each cycle.

Someone care to enlighten me with out telling me to search the forum because I don't even know what the proper name for them is.

Most people got rid of them or never used them because they can block up with slime / plant roots etc.

what was the thinking behind them in the first place?

Even water distribution ..... but as said ,, water will tend to be even anyway.

It spreads the solids around rather than in just the one place. Personally I will always use them, especially if you're putting solids in the bed. when your putting solids into the bed in just one place, they can build up and water flows around it leading to issues.. Grid work around the out side, no such problems, quick flush out once a year or so and you're laughing.

The grids in mine are still running after 3 years no probs

Thanks, I knew there would be a reason

There you go Simmo ,, the correct answer from the man himself:)
Can't get better than that

I am using both systems.

I have a single outlet on a tiny system with 2 goldfish and one orchid and find that
the solid buildup around the outlet is already bad.
System only been running for 6 months.

The other larger system uses the grid and no problem this has been running for the same time.

I don't use them but only because I want the solids in one place for the worms to work more intensely. Again this is only for the ones with 24\7 flow. On the others I should distribute a little better.

mine all ditribute into one spot on each bed. Worms are concentrated in that spot and there is no solids build up there.

I'm glad someone asked this. I was going to have just an outlet at the opposite end of the GB to the drain. I guess if it turns out to be a problem, I'll just change it. Plenty of old poly or PVC laying around. Can you take the solids out to any degree with some form of swirl filter and is there any point? Is there some nutrient value to the solids that you're better off keeping? Worms sounds interesting. Any media in particular and any type of worm? Do you just sit them on top and off they go?

Dex.

just chuck in a handfull of composting worms and in a minute they will have made their way undergound readynto do their thing.

In gravel? Like blue metal or something? Or does it have to be more comfy?

doesn't matter what the media is, the worms will make themselves at home and given enough solids, will multiply pretty quickly.