Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

well the fishtank was gonna have a flout or two as well. But since I've started my thread, I've been convinced that this won't work as the heights I've got is a bit too messed up. Maybe another time

Hey Taz!!

any recent pics of your system!

i'm doing something similar to yours and just wanted to see if you have had any problems like blockages and any other problems etc

Cheers!

Latest updates, had them on my phone for a while just been to lazy to put them up. The system finally cycled and I put in some Snow Peas, Broc. & Winter Lettuce (all seedlings from 'B' planted on the 16th May). The Lettuce didn't do to well in the NFT, I'm putting that down to low DO in the water from the sump running thru the pipe, lack of direct sun light and the cool weather. The snow peas have gone nuts and since these pics some are nearly 2 feet high. Broc has slowed up heaps since these pics and the bottom leaves are yellowing? I've added Seasol to the system a couple of times in small doses to help it out a bit. Still only got the 2 goldies in there and they seem happy.

As far as blockages go I haven't had any yet, the Snow Pea closest to the drain has started to shoot some roots thru the screen and could possibly block the small drain hole on the drain pipe. But other than that the plants aren't large enough yet to cause any trouble.

These pics show nearly 6 weeks growth.

Could have an IBC by the end of this week Start planning for the big one

Cheers for those pics!
they seem to be doin great!

Referring to another post, someone had problems with their peas blocking up their pipes because they got so thick but they were in drilled holes unlike your which is in an open pipe.

I plan to put strawberries, herbs, coriander, other leafy vegies and maybe even rockmelon.

Cheers!

Finally got my IBC fish tank yesterday (not the one pictured below )

It originally contained 'air tool lubricant'. Smells like tranmission oil.
So plan this weekend to wash it out with some degreaser and maybe Hydrochloric Acid.
I think F&F used Hyd acid? Is it worth doing both to clean it or just one of the two?

I didn't get any picks of mine (everyone knows what an IBC looks like) but here are
some pics of a tank a mate of mine uses to transport fish in on the back of his ute.
He had it sprayed with foam to insulate it. Cost him a bit to get done, but he said it works really well!!!

I like that idea (getting the IBC sprayed with foam), I found that the water in mine when transporting fish could rise by as much as 5 degrees in just 2 hours where as another insulated container I have remained at a constant water temp.
Any idea where one can get their IBC sprayed with foam??
Or can you buy spray cans of the stuff?? I seem to remember putting some into the ends
of my kayak many moons ago.

Here's a couple of companies that do spray-on foam insulation, the second is more rigid by the looks.

Was looking at this stuff for our future house...

Not sure how it would go exposed to the elements though, maybe the second link better in that regard.

http://www.insulfoamsolutions.com.au/Pa ... rview.html

http://www.chemind.com.au/products/chem ... y_foam.htm

Not real sure Gav, my mate said he flooked it one day there was fellow coating something so he did his tank aswell.

It was well worth it, he transports them for over 3 hours with just air, at the other end they check the DO and temp and it's perfect!

Good job Taz
How is the system going so far?
Look forward to seeing your next larger system

Thanks D'rat I thought your system looked familiar

Things are ticking over fine with my system, we had a few snow peas (not as many as would have thought) but were yum straight off the vine. The kids even ate them

The Broc wasn't doing much (not enough sun) so i pulled it out and put in the dirt garden they are going better but I doubt they will fruit (or is it veg ) anyway a few weeks ago I dropped some salad mix seeds in there and they're going ok. The 7 goldies are happy, stopped growing so probably at their limit and I'm not feeding them all that much since the GB's are pretty empty.

I'm all set with 2 IBC and all my GB's for the big system, just need to get all the plumbing and start digging holes for tanks etc.. Have been putting it off due to other projects around the yard too so come xmas holidays I should knock it over

My current plan (and hoping for some feed back on this) is to have the return from the GB's run into the FT with SLO in to the sump where the pump will fill the GB's on a 15 on 45 off timer fast fill slow drain via stand pipes (I'm still not keen on auto-siphons).

The reason for this is the FT and sump will be located in area where I'll have to pump the solids up to the GB's. A bit like OBO's set up but my pump won't be in the fish tank for reasons of the FT water lever staying constant.

When the pump turns off, there will still be water draining back to the FT for a while via the drain holes in the stand pipes. At first I plan to have 12 GB's each 100L, so should hold around 480L when full. When the pump is off there will be 480L draining back and then there will be a period of no water flowing in to FT.

Just need a pump that can move 1000+L in 15 minutes or less at my required head (approx 2m) and can handle solids and all should be ok.

Any thoughts, feedback?

Mate how's the system going? Are you using the IBC yet?

Got any more recent photo's?
Cheers
T

No recent pics mate, been flat out on other projects (chicken tractor and wicking beds).

The small benchtop system has been moved outside into a couple of half blue drums with the pump in the FT still on a timer, not producing all that much. The 10 Goldies are happy and eat well so it's still working away.

My dirt garden was a priority this summer also, as it needed alot of work from when we first moved in 18 months ago.

As far the IBC's I've got 1 dug in, but cash flow, time and motivation have pulled me up on being able to further it along. We're planning some reno's on the house this year so all the good stuff got moved down to-do list . I got an old corogated tank that I'd planned to use as a FT and GB but they are going to require to much effort to make suitable for AP I thinking (once again motivation at all time low ) My sister will love it as a raised gaeden bed on he big block down the East coast so not a total waist.

Anyway these fiberglass tanks sound good, you plan to drop in your way thru? jb