Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Guys,
I'm not far from starting, will most likely be a 6-12 months in construction Time and Cost are the inhibating factors.
I have done an initial design using sketchup, Things will/have changed.
the Base of the FT and GB will be sloped
The FT will be approx 5m x 3m x 1.2m deep. haven't decided if it will be a liner or concrete construction. I'm leaning towards concrete. ( 1800L's will probably run @ 1600L)
The GB will be approx 5m x 1.2m wide and 400mm deep, will have access from 2 sides
Sump may be incorporated during construction.
The bottom 200mm of growbed material will be course gravel and Hydroton above.
The system will be constant flow and powered by a Wind turbine charged RAS off grid system. (already have and can/runs a 1300watt Hydroponic system for 10 days without wind )
The blue Plumbing will actually be a waterfall style for the return. Ag Pipe will be used in the base of the GB
The yellow is the overflow but will already be moved to above the return instead of where it is located in the drawing.
Red Plumbing is pressure, there will be further pipes extending across the bed for better water distribuation ( not shown in drawing) this plumbing will be below the surface of the GB material.
The Pressure Plumbing will be moved to alongside and hidden by the return water fall instead of blow it as in the drawing.
The retaining wall is used because I need to put the dirt somewhere when excavating the FT and can support the GB and lift it to a working height.
I still need to find a way to hide the plumbing yet still be seviceable, this should be easily solved when at that stage.
Open to comments
Regards
Ron

I couldn't find any nice trees of the right size in the Sketch up wharehouse to add to the drawing

Hi Ron
Thats a fair sized pond, I make it 18,000L if full to the brim.

Quoting and answering...

the Base of the FT and GB will be sloped
Grow bed does not need to be sloped, wont cause any problems though.

The FT will be approx 5m x 3m x 1.2m deep.
I make that 18000l as well.

The GB will be approx 5m x 1.2m wide and 400mm deep, will have access from 2 sides
2400l - This is too small for your size of pool really. You'll probably need closer to 8000l at least.

The blue Plumbing will actually be a waterfall style for the return.
Dont know why? Wont provide much more (if any) extra aeration that a normal 90mm DWV run back to the pool? Would look pretty though if you actually made it a water feature, and had it winding through some plants ore something.

Red Plumbing is pressure, there will be further pipes extending across the bed for better water distribuation
Not needed. Simply having it running along that one side with 8mm holes drilled along it will be fine. The flood and drain action with the help of worms will distribute solids fine.


Looks good

Are you planning on swimming in the pool or just leaving it for the fish?

Just want to be sure of getting good drainage, wont take any extra effort.


Guess that would really depend on stocking density, will need a few fish to get it to actually doing it's thing, 5sqm grows a lot of veggies, I'll could probably design some beds that can drain directly into the pond on the 3 other sides of the tank to soften the lines maybe put in some ornamental plants. see revised drawing haven't worked out dimensions yet but about another 4000l, so thats about 6400L


Because I want a system pleasent on the eye, Potted Plants will be used to hide parts, also plan to build a wood fired oven in the same area, there not hard to build bit of clay and builders sand.


I'll take that on board if needed it can be changes with minimal effort.



Just for Fish, probably a variety of salmoid species.

Ron

Why the 1.2m GB? 80 mm or less would probably still look cool and less pumping to head and easier on the maintenance re plants. The return could be made to look like a classy stream ( well rivulet anyway with pebbles) with the up pipe underneath.
Don't know whether Palms will grow well in Vic, well some should, but leaf drop of others could be a drama.
BTW its hot and I"ve had a few beers, Hydro puts something on the bottom of his posts about liability, same here

2 reasons
1. 1.2m is about 4ft not to wide to plant or harvest, as OB mentioned there is not enough GB size for the size of the tank so making them smaller would enhance that problem.
2. There was a train de-railment in town a couple of weeks ago, scored many a good railway sleeper as a result.
Railway sleepers are 8ft long now just need to cut them in 1/2.

Will now need to get some more, pity the railway gang has moved on they helped load the trailer up a number of times.

Not sure what plants I'll use, been doing some extensive planting mostly natives and fruit trees, things I've scored from others and cuttings.
I'm on 1/2 acre of barren over farmed land, I'm just trying to make it my little self sufficient oasis. It's a slow task but I'll be here for a really long time.

enjoy those beers, I'm par taking in my home brew.

Cheers
Ron

Ron

Knew I would screw this up, its the height 1.28 m not the width or length

Seeing you keep asking for Pic's
Here is a pic of the back paddock where i propose to put the system. ( shaded area) I'm hoping to contain the system into an approx 8m x 12m area hopefully less.
The back paddock is 20m wide and 50m long to the oak tree in the background ( depth perception is pretty screwed) , beyond the oak tree is where the dirt garden is and the green house. the property is only a few degrees off north south with the sun rising from left of picture.
The east side of the paddock has not been fenced yet so the shed and water tank clearly in the picture belongs to the neighbour.
Just in front of the Oak tree is where I am planting out the orchid you can't really see anything but planted there so far is from left to right 1 avocado, 1 Washington orange, 1 blood orange, 1 early blueberry, 1 late blueberry, 1 pink lady apple, 1 mulberry, 1 granny smith apple, Locote and 1 peach tree in the green house still yet to be planted is a cherry an apricot, myer lemon, gisborne lemon and a kafir lime . I also have a fajao, Fig and Tahitian lime and experimenting with a pineapple.

In the foreground various natives, once they get more established I will be under planting with indigenous grasses.

cheers
Ron