Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks for the tip Simmo.... hadn't heard that before.....

Update... a few months worth actually...

Had to split the plumbing to get the 4 half barrels online for the landladies visit...

Then decided to reconfigure the rest of the system... and use a bigger pump... so new grids...and inflow delivery line

And across to the dutch pots...

Made up a supply grid for the dutch pots...


Fit the ball valves on the barrel growbeds...

Put in a couple of good supports to stop the 310ltr growbed from bowing...

About this stage I reconsidered the function of this tub... decided to make it an isolation/hospital tank.... a short stay fingerling tank...

Plumbing the feed from the dutch pots.....

Picked up a couple of diverter valves ages ago....

Will use them so that I can isolate and/or dump the tank...

Drag the holesaw and drain fitting out....

Time to cut the drain...oh well here goes...

Hope it all fits....

Snug as a bug...

Originally intended to use this as a growbed with a bell siphon...

Just happened to have a fitting that fitted nicely....

But decided to run as a small Chift Pist tank...

Shattered the end when I cut it... thought "OK, I'll cut the crenellations out of this end"....

Then cut the slots in the wrong end... Doh.... but it'll do for a test...

Test to see if it leaked.... nope, all good....

Cleaned the tank up ...

Cut the outer standpipe to height...

Cut the inner standpipe to height...

Fitted the two pipes....

What do you do in your spare time Rupe? Looks like you have been busy.
Tell us was the land lady impressed?

All good...

Set up the drains from the dutch pots to the tank... with the diverters in place so I can isolate the tank...

Bugger... the offcuts are just "that much" too short... need some joiners...

But you can get the idea...angled the 90 degree bends to sweep the solids to the centre..
A better view of the diverters... shut them off, and the flow will go via the "Tee" piece back to the main tank..

Looking great Rupe, you have been busy.

Know that feeling, I was a bit nervous when I first took the holesaw to my flash new GB's

Landlady only saw the 4 half barrel growbeds when the system was split... but was impressed and happy enough for me to use the space....

Doesn't know about the "mega" system taking over the backyard yet... but figure I probably wont see her for another couple of years...

As long as I keep paying the rent....

Started cycling the blue barrel growbeds.... with a heap of Pacific Blueeyes that I picked up from AquaBlue on my way back from Grafton....

Were supposed to breed like rabbits... but haven't as yet...might be a bit cold....

Guess I'll have to set up the portable CD player and drag out the Barry White....

Left the coco-peat growbed offline... it just gets too wet.... will either replace it, or drip feed it... see how the pH goes when everything is online and up and running...

So three growbeds... cycling and siphoning...

These loop siphons are just so easy... and reliable...