Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Wow, your drawings and your pipework and build are all very neat!

I don't feel I genuinely understand the final design however, as there have been a lot of design changes?

I'm not sure at this point to what extent your build is finalised or whether you are still looking for feedback on the design...

You have a solids filter, fed by gravity from the fish tank right? I haven't noticed any mention of a SLO (solids lift overflow), have you included this into the design? If not, there would be little point in having a solids filter as the solids will simply settle in the fish tank.

People generally prefer to design their systems in such a way as to minimize the amount of plumbing below the water line in order to minimise the risk of leaks and emptying part of the system. This is especially the case for the fish tank of course, you certainly don't want the possibility of the fish tank draining in the case of system failure.

Your calculations seem to suggest you intend on pumping at 400 gph? We'll see if the solids filter is effective at that flow rate. It sounds to me like it may be a bit fast, and that a longer residence time might be necessary.

The biofilter wouldn't be necessary I shouldn't think, as the media in the grow bed functions as a biofilter already. Its addition also adds further points of potential failure with plumbing underneath the water level.

Rather than an extra biofilter, I think a mineralizer would be a better addition, as solids removal will lead to nutrient deficiencies unless you mineralize them and re-introduce the nutrient rich supernatant.

From the Filters water flows into the Grow Bed and then is syphoned to the Sump Tank.

Cool detail, I wish I planned before I do to that level , I would probably save time reworking. My input, might need some fencing wire strung around to hold the fish tank supports on the top edge when full with water, stop them bending out in time.

Cheers, Sam