Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey anyone listening, i have a problem with my system...

I have 6 beds, with 2 50 mm drains.
So 1 50 mm drain per 3 beds.
Now my problem is, when one bed is draining, the others cannot start their cycle, which frequently leads to a minor flood, messing up all my vegies.

Is this just from undersized drains? Or is it possible to have more than 1 25" standpipe draining at the same time...

Sorry if it's a bit unclear, if need be i will sketch out a picture for everyone

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Sounds like these are setup with siphons. I'm not sure what's going on (could be undersized pipe, an obstruction or could be an airlock of some kind) but an obvious solution is to switch over to Constant Flood for at least some of these beds and possibly all of them. All you'd have to do is take the siphon off the standpipe and if there is a hole in the standpipe, either switch standpipes or flip it so the hole is up. Water depth would be the set the same as when you had full flood with siphons.

Another option would be to divert more water back to aerating your fish tank so that the flow into the grow beds isn't as fast. Sometimes this causes siphon problems as well.

I'm not real clear on your pipe sizes and connections or how they drain. You say three beds are connected to one 2 inch pipe. What are the sizes of the standpipes draining each bed?

Constant flood could work... but would the roots of my plants be ok? no root rot?

The beds have a 25mm standpipe through the bottom of the ibc, they then take a 90 and run about 1 OR 3m (depending on which row). They then T into a 50mm drain pipe that runs sloping down to the sump.

I should have made a U underneath the standpipe i believe, before heading to the drain. I have seen many photos like that. Maybe it would help?

I Cant seem to find any decent pics! Sorry

Found one! This design was modified to be 2 completely separate 50mm drains, as i realized joining them was a stupid idea, even if easier haha

Thanks guys

did you do something like this? This little rise helps keep the siphon going and and then stopping. It is adjustable so between this and the flow control into the GBs you should be able to tune it in.

As long as the water is constantly in motion there will be enough aeration that the roots won't rot. I've been running CF for years as have others on the forum. There are some differences but as far as plant growth they seem about the same - check out the BYAP Trials thread for a comparison over the course of a year.

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8621

See if Brian (boss) and the others can get your system running like you want. Throttling back a bit and/or running CF can always be your fallback if you need them .

Excuse the slow reply! Life has managed to keep me busy.
Mmm I don't have a little rise.. I wonder if I could cut the drain pipe and fit 4 90° bends to make a U shape I could adjust..?

Either way, a few photos to show off [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Corns growing great in constant flood, now it's quite bigger than this photo

Starting to insulate and clad the fishtank! Excuse the random father in the photo haha.

One more, slowly getting there


And my favorite! First time successfully planting a bed via seed. Lots of lovely little heads poking up


And that's a wrap I guess! Can't believe simply growing some vegies could be so satisfying when you see the little heads poking up through the media. There may have been a little victory dance haha

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Just some photos of how it's doing after the perth heat spell. Suprised the seedlings are still alive!


Lettace seeds popped the heads out about 4 days ago but refused to come further haha.

The radish seeds are thriving though! Seeded... maybe 2 weeks ago? Pretty cool stuff



Corn doing well

What are you using for plant food since you don't have any fish?

Seasol and iron chelate, but i have also been trying a seasol like substitute that was manufactured locally. They seem to provide all the nutrients so far.

Hopefully the worms I put into the grow beds are helping and not dead as well haha

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Bit of an update! Made new grow standie things, as everything has well overgrown my expectations.



One a side note.. how do you stop these blooming tomatos growing! ! I swear its a good 20 kgs of plant in there.

Hope I didn't kill too much when I put up the new frame and swapped it over

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Hopefully it all goes ok! No floaters as of this morning, but... its difficult to see down into the tank.

I might try using the pool brush, and cleaning the sides and bottom so I can see.



Looking forward to any growth gains!

Question for the bosses! I have a gumtree that drops leaves into the garden beds. Will they poison the fish? I imagine eucalyptus is probably poisonous to them...

I might have to be vigilant and go leaf picking up every day haha

I've got a new favorite pet!
I just wish they were not so shy, and would stop hiding near the slo. Hopefully they get braver over time...

They don't seem to eat my floating pellets, i have to keep stirring them until they sink.

But! It's still very cool

Ignore the brick, I'm pretending I can't see it

What brick?

Yay fishies!

Question:

Would adding an air vent to the return line help the flow. Maybe reduce air lock up?

I thought that was a brickfish. A new GMO fish grown ready to be canned.