Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nice setup... is this gonna be a modified chift pist or just a combo of flows with pumps?

Nice job C1
I can`t make my my mind how many sides your tanks have, the bottom one looks octagonal and the top looks like it might have 9 sides
I had the rice crispy cake effect on the edge of my concrete, i just skimmed it with a rich mix of sand,cement with a good squirt of washing up liquid in it.
If you`re using a liner it wont matter much except cosmetically, the walls look plenty thick enough.

Nice job C1 looks like you know a bit about concrete
Did you put them in line with the moon travel :

hexangonal concrete hot tub while you have the moulds.

I think C1 has an octagonal tank (8 sides) and perhaps the other is an irregular nonagon if it has 9 unequal sides A hexagon would have 6 panels.

I didn't count, just cut & paste the nearest agonal word.

Hi C1,
Looking good...

I have studied some concrete engineering/design in my past, and you may want to get that concrete vibrator.
I suppose it depends on the mesh in the walls, but if any gets exposed to the water, concrete cancer will quickly destroy your fine work. Also something that I found interesting is that plain black steel gets better strength than gal, the gal doesn't bond as well. The upside to gal is the greater resistance to rusting, however with proper imbedding the mesh stops rusting, as it needs air to rust (and yes it gets O2 from H2O also) thus no cancer.
Maybe a trip to Coates will save you a lot of time and trouble in the future, Margrets, hmm, should be one in Busso, or at least someone else who hires one.

Just have someone on the pole vibrator as you do the pour for number 2, just try not to touch the mesh with the vibrator (as best you can), as this settles the aggregate out of the concrete mix.
Duffs suggestion of bending the mesh to the profile is also a good one, as this will maximise the embedment of the mesh (and help with the vibrating of the mix), thus further reducing the risk of concrete cancer either from the water in your tank, or the surrounding moisture.

May also (if you haven't already) want to slope the base to the side where the pump will be, to help with soilds removal.

If there's no mesh in the walls, then ignore the above, but you may want to watch the water loss

Just my 2 cents.

Burnsy, you pour the walls then the base, gets better adhesion between them, and can join the reinforcement with tie in bars easier. We did the same for a mechanics inspection pit once. Same principal for the old concrete ceptics and alike also.

Hope it all goes well, and lasts for many many years to come, and definitely looks good, and lots of hard work ...

Yeh cheers nf
all conditions have been take care of
Tis my trade, yes more vibe and less haste on the placement.
...never try to vibe a form that is expanding..K?

and never try to stick new cement to old, I will be using an epoxy mortar,
potable, and bloody good stuff.
Have been repairing concrete tanks for 20+ years... I know my stuff
the tank will be good well after I am no longer here.

2&3 will be well vibed with no separation

Today we picked up 80 bags of hydroton and 8 GB's from Joel and Karl and Faye
(nice cuppa thanks Faye) at the BYAP shop in Jandakot.
Wicked systems out there Don was blown away

I was reading your post there Newfarmer with a little bit (actuall a bloody lot) of amusement.!!
I thought C1 answered quite eloquently. Phew.

Thanks Rick

That's Ok I'm pretty thick skinned.

I'm an engineer consultant (so have to be thick skinned ) and have studied concrete design and construction, and have done a few pours myself over the past 12 years.

Concerte cancer is relatively easy to prevent, but difficult to fix. Would rather tell you something you know, rather than say nothing and it go to sh&t on you in a few months, and hoping people do the same on my thoughts plans.

Unfortunately seen a few well intended jobs turn pear shaped, but hey glad to see you've got it covered, and after all, you're the one on the shovel...

Yep agreed with the analogies you gave.
Though you will see the next few photos cover the issues you raised
(posting tommorrow after the second pour)

Ah Eng. so, have I argued with you I wonder
I bet not you would understand the limitations of site situations,
with the process developed in the lab or the drawing board.
Better shut my gob now
Not so eliquantly Rick...

All in good fun...
We know you hate us granos, I am glad we start early and don't get stuck in traffic
and think darstadly deeds for the next project
We all have our difficulties, and working together can cure those ills

Really nice work on your tanks.
What type of drainage system are you using? S.L.O., bottom drain, or none?
Were you worried about circulation inside the tank? I assume that's why you went circular over a square or rectangular design (which would have been easier to form and pour). I'm really interested in building lower height (1-2' high) concrete square/ rectangular tanks and growbeds. But it looks like your circular ones might be the way to go.
What type of boards did you use to form the tanks? I haven't seen them before.