Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looking good Chris!

Thanks Kirbs!.

So when you coming over to help me dig that sump? ha...

I'll send my boy... he's got a stronger back.

I'll bring a pitcher of tea.

Hydro,

My Energy rate is 0.06/kW So I'm sure i'll be ok whatever pump I'll use as far as consumption goes, but I'd still want to find a good pump that has a proven track record of reliability


I wish this http://www.lowes.com/pd_117160-84862-BWSL_4294935907+4294837399_4294937087?productId=1213351 was about $100 cheaper! Although we don't have power outages that often here.

Machine, that's a good suggestion, I could have like 2 on hand in case of failure.

What is your experience with that pump? how long have you had it running?

I might have to go with the 4000 HH (high head) though, as at 5'-6' head I have only 500 GPH. and if we have to recycle all the water in the (530 gal.) tank it would have to be constantly on. and then suddenly the price is right back up at $100+ (the 4000 only gives 600GPH at that height)

Looks like I still have some homework.

We'll make it a BBQ!.

heh

A better option is to look at Home Depot. On the same rack that they have galvanized welded hardware cloth, they have 36" PLASTIC hardware cloth that would be perfect for your application. Strong yet no heavy metal coating. Bought a roll just the other day.

CB

That's funny I was just thinking the same thing earlier this weekend! I had bought some a while back, wish i still had some around!.

Thanks for the suggestion though!

Hey Guys,
I wanted to update you on the status of my build!..

Here is a link to the public facebook album I've started: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2039638&id=1001681638&l=81b5ec56ff

Most the progress has been made on the greenhouse.

As for aquaponics the sump tank is dug. I was going to cast it, but i dont know if I'm good enough to ensure a leak proof tank, so I'm probably going to cement board it to prevent roots and put an EPDM liner in.


Next up finish the Greenhouse and then build the fish tank that will sit on the sump tank. I'm thinking a 3.75" slab of reinforced concrete should provide enough base for the 3,700lbs. of water.

Feel free to friend me on Facebook if you want!.

I'll keep you guys up to date!

I haven't used a Quiet one pump. I am going to get one as soon as I can afford it. They have good reviews on line and there energy consumption is really low for the gph.

SUMP TANK IS BUILT!!!! YAY..


What a relief.

We poured it.

I was planning on using drylok to waterproof it.
But i've read some horror stories about that, where everything is fine at first, then all of a sudden it leaks 6 months - 12 months later. especially when in contact with the ground.
I would hate to have to take the fish tank down to mend the sump tank.
So since a liner isn't that much more expensive, I'm going to go with EPDM.

You can see progress photo album here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2039638&id=1001681638&l=81b5ec56ff

Hey everyone, I've finally gotten to the 1/2 way point on my system, grow beds are filled and fishtank and sump tank are built and filled.

Take a look:


Here's a view of the fish tank, I can't get the epdm neat, but i haven't cut it yet. so it's coming.
The sump tank is below
The top of the tank is at about 6'!
each GB has a loop siphon that will empty into a 2" PVC pipe.

The grow beds are coming along nicely, i've filled them 2/3 lava rock and 1/3 (3/4") gravel


Here's the rig I built for washing the rocks:

It took out most of the work. and we recycled the water to different parts of the yard as to not waste too much of it.

I'm picking up tilapia in about 2 weeks, have to finish the plumbing and do the fishless cycle first.

Does anyone live around here that could give me some aquaponics muck?

Also I was wondering if anyone would recommend/advise against using muck from the local riverstream, i'm very close to it, and that would be the easiest way to get the system going.

I've got the pump on order and will be here this week.

My water volume could easily support twice the volume of growbeds I've worked out about 8 gallons of water per barrel grow bed (12 beds in total). So I'll have to keep my quantity of fish down at first until i can expand.

Let me know what you guys think!!

Chris

If you cut it it can be neater, but will leak unless you are very good.....your call.


Better pm sminfiddle and get that phone number...


I did that and have had a constant low-grade problem with ich. Better to get it froma clean system or cycle it yourself. Speaking of which: how many fish and what size? If they are very small compared to your water volume you may simply decide to cycle with fish, using hte water from water changes to water your lawn.


Then again, having a large volume of water is really really nice during a power outage or pump failure. Our power went out in a storm Saturday and stayed off for about 5 hrs. The most crowded system suffered & nearly died (about 5 lbs of fish in 40 gallon tank), but the others (much less crowded) probably didn't even notice.

Have fun!

Hydro, I was thinking of getting about 75 Mozambique Tilapia fingerlings for now.

The fish tank is 270 gallons. the sump is another 230 the current batch of grow beds will hold 96 gallons.

Do you think I should get more/less fish?

The main problem with my fish tank is that there isn't much surface exposed to the air. So I will definitely need to get an aerator.

Would you say the total system size right now is 596 gallons (include the grow beds?) or 500 gallons?

Thankfully power outages aren't something I'm too worried about, the longest the power has been out is two hours.

I'm putting out the call for some clean AP system muck right now!

Thanks for your reply!.

Chris

with just about 100 gallons of "growbed", 15 to 20 tilapia would be plenty!

100 gallons of filtration is enough for about 25lbs of bioload - grown out weight, not starting weight!