Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,

This is my system.

Water is pumped up from the tank for 15 mins at a time. It fills the growbed after about 2mins so is overflowing for a while. Will perhaps look into a more efficient pumping regime (eg pump for 3-5 mins).

Top overflow pipes are at the level of the gravel, so it really floods the gravel (perhaps too much).

When the pump shuts off, water drains down to the level of the top overflow pipe (white) for a short time, and then trickles out the bottom drain pipe (black dripper hose) over about 15 mins. The system then remains "dry" for about an hour and then pumping starts again.

nice Jimmy, maybe try reducing the height of the standpipe in the growbeds to reduce the overflooding of the gravel

Two more images...

I'm not overly concerned about overflooding of the gravel because the system is only flooded like that for about 13 minutes out of a 90 minute flood-drain cycle.

Do you think I should be more concerned?

It's not a huge concern, but can have issues later. When the water tops the gravel you can get algal growth on the gravel, and it can increase your evaporation rates. Once seeds are established the water can be about 2-3cm below the surface of the gravel and the bacteria and the plants will tick along nicely.

Hi Jimmie, have trouble stripping the paint off the dresser

Frogs add a nice touch - Jaymie's covered the main concerns

First time I've seen a system that uses plastic cups..

Do your plants get much light there? Bit hard to tell from a photo..

Welcome Jimmy!

How big is your pump?

You dripper hose might clog over time with biofilm.

Love the frogs!!!

nice setup what do u have planted

EllKayBee - yes, got through about 4 layers of paint before giving up on the dresser. Then it rained heavily and I think we might have to turn it into firewood...

Earthbound - photo was taken very early on an overcast morning. However, the plants probably DO need more light as they are under a shadecloth pergola, especially now it's winter.

rblaster85 - have spinach (transplanted from a failed continuous flow system, the precursor to this system), basil (also transplanted), rosemary, capsicum and cucumber. Also have some coriander seedlings. Plants are moving slowly at this stage, I guess it'll take a while for the bacteria to really establish. Also many of the plants were flooded for days and days on end before I figured out I needed to have a trickle drain at the bottom! (Stupid!!!) So the basil and others are recovering from almost rotting to death...