Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have recently been commissioined to build a small Aquaponic system for a B&B in the forest near Knysna, South Africa. The intention, is that this system will eventually become a training facility and I will conduct Aquaponic (AP) courses from the site. The delegates will stay at the B&B for the duration of the course and learn AP in a lecture room environment as well as hands-on in this training system.

Briefly, it consists of two areas. The first is a 6m x 3m hobby tunnel in which we will have a small 1.8m diameter (1.2m deep) mesh pond and 4 x 3m growbeds. The second is an area of similar size, but under shade cloth. Here there will be a 3m diameter (1.2m deep) mesh pond and 4 x 3m growbeds. A 5000L tank at a lower level will act as the sump.

The area chosen is an existing terrace which we are widening. This area was previously used as a vegetable garden, but with the drought and regular raiding by baboons and monkeys, it has fallen into disrepair.

After two weeks work, we have achieved the following;

* Cleared and compacted the terrace.
* Cast a slab for the sump at the lowest point and placed the sump.
* Cast a slab for the smaller tank which will be inside the greenhouse tunnel.
* Planted the poles for the shade cloth area.
* Constructed the greenhouse frame, levelled and concreted into place.
* Planted the poles for the growbed stands.
* Unrolled and bolted together the mesh pond frames.

Some images follow;

Here are some more images of the progress.

I love those mesh tanks

Synapto, it's looking good. We expect nothing less from you.

Just a quick update. Despite 35 deg C plus temperatures we have made some progress. The plastic is on the greenhouse frame. I've left the gable ends off to try and keep the heat in the tunnel down to a bearable 40 deg. The shade cloth is on the frame and I have left the ends flapping for the same reason. The electrical plug points and timer have been done and the delivery line from the pump to the ponds is complete. I have placed the ponds and bolted on the centre drains. I LOVE big drains and for this site I've used 75mm. The giant 500mm PVC half pipes (aka grow beds) have arrived and I will plastic weld the ends on before Christmas. I filled the 5000L sump today and will fill the ponds tomorrow.

Hopefully, I'll get to the drains before the end of the week as the client is itching to see water flowing. Wish me luck.

Some images attached.

Do you have any links to sites for the company that sells those mesh tanks with those liners?

Sure, here it is. The CEO's name is Freddie. Just tell him Kevin from Knysna Aquaculture referred you.

http://www.hydrotek.co.za/

Looks great as always Synapto - good to see someone livin' large in the world of AP !

Those tanks are just awsome. Good to see that you are still at "it".

Believe it or not, we have worked straight through on the new system with the exception of the Christmas and New Year long weekends. The system is coming along nicely and the only problem encountered so far has been the extreme temperatures.

With the normal temperature in our area hovering in the 30-34 deg C range, in the valley where I am working and in full sun, I am enduring temperatures of up to 40 and in the greenhouse tunnel, who knows?

We have now completed the tunnel, the shade cloth area and the two ponds. The growbeds are positioned and the support ends have been glued and bolted on. All that is now needed is to plastic weld the PVC sheet half moons into place on the growbed ends.

All the underground plumbing has been completed and the supply line from the sump is also complete. The ponds are full of water and I have put the standpipes in the ponds in case the valves (which are closed) leak. Most of the drains are complete and all that remains here is to run the main 80mm drain down the hill to the sump.

Some images for clarity.

Some more images.

This system is finished now and we'll slowly introduce Tilapia and plants. Here are some images.