Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Start planning a new system. I'm dealing with a very narrow space.
2.6m between the house and the fence, at the far end about 3m.

The idea is to have 2 independent IBC systems, cut and flip, each with 2 FT interconnected with a 15/45 timer.
This would be the same system as I previously had, only this time I have the opportunity to dig in the FT about 500mm
to have a better working high for the GB, better insulation for the FT plus there is an opportunity to expand.
The IBC split would be approx 250lt GB - 750lt FT. Approx 15 SP Fingerlings per system.

The first pair would be the ones on the far end, this is a wider spot and would be covered in a 2x3m GH, about 200mm from the fence.
The fridge will be between the 2 systems and used for battery, electrical, air pump and general insulated storage.
Plan is to get both systems fully off the grid in the future, the last one worked perfect but it was only one system.

The second system will be installed after the first one is in operation.

I was humming and harring about auto-siphon, but I think I would have the better option
to expand with the timer as a second pump on timer can work on the off time of the first one.
So basically pump 1 operates 15 min, pump 2 comes on after 30 min, so there is a 15 min cycle every 30 min,
then the GB need to drain within 15 min. With the ratio FT to GB I can possibly add another 2 GB before adding a pump.
But adding more fish would also be required.


Would appreciate your thoughts and input before I start digging and cutting

Looks like a good use of space

Have you lived here long (is this space ok for light in winter ) (low sun)

Timers might be the best option , siphons can be noisy (neighbours) however can put silencers on siphons

How hard is the digging ???

We love it when someone else has to dig.

I am confused by the second pump/timer aspect.. You mean that the one pump/timer would be going to one set of growbeds, the other pump and timer would turn on at a different time and pump to the other growbeds? You may find an issue if they synchronize over time, and pump water levels right down.

Good point. The fence is North facing, so not very good in winter.
It helps in summer as everything I planted next to the house died in the brutal WA sun and the bricks reflect the heat even more.
I could try to fit some reflective (gal sheets) to the house to extend the light?


Digging should be ok as it is a new development build on a swamp, build up with sand, but I'll keep you updated when I start.

Yes, the idea is to pump 15 min. to main GB, drain for 15, pump 15 to external GB, drain for 15 and start again.

I'll have to monitor and adjust the timers, thanks for pointing this out. Or is a switch valve safer?

There used to be a valve available that would switch outputs every time you turn the pump off then on again. Can't remember the name of them now. Then you could plumb to multiple beds and operating the pump would switch the beds... Hmmm, what were they called......

Sequencing valves

Or an electrical flip flop switch. Or that's what I've always called it anyway....