Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm pretty sure, if they're sized correctly, they should be "self cleaning". You may need to turn some ball valves and increase pressure occasionally, but I think you would be OK.

that is going to be amazing congates on the new house and hobby-farm

Sweed,

The piping will be like Paul's from Earthen Group. But instead of stopping at floor level they will be say 6 inches lower.

Coach,

Yeah on the pipe sizing front I think I am going to bug the sites math magician, Stuart. Before I buy the first stick.

Brian,

Yeah it is going to be awesome. One way or another. Either a spectacular success or failure. Trying to keep it running well all by myself while holding down a full time job. Is going to be a stretch. That's why I have to get this planning stage perfect. So that it can mainly run on auto pilot. But since this is just to feed my family and friends. I won't have to run insane stocking densities. Which should help out immensely. Thanks for the congrats.

Does anybody know of anyone who has used old railroad ties, as the walls for their DWC. I figure they are relatively cheap and will last forever. The pond liner should be able to keep all of the nasties in them from leaching into the water. DWC's will be at ground level.

Don't use them. They're not that cheap. You can buy dimensional treated lumber cheaper and they are horrible to work with. The creosote is just evil to work with. The used ties, which are usually about 1/2 life are under 20.00, but to get #1, you have to spend close to $50.00. At least that was best price I could find, and that was for a semi load. I'm glad I didn't get that bid.lol

Salvaged block or 2x treated wood would be better options.IMO

Yeah there is a local guy selling them for $18 for a 8x8x8. Which would actually cut my costs. Seeing as I would not need all the extra reinforcement pieces.

$8.00 for 2 x 8 x 8's and you could add 2 -8' 3x 5 landscape timbers and still be less then the 1 RR tie. You could rip 4 x 8 sheets of hardiboard and make 32 linear feet of DWC at 12" for under $31.00. I have lots of old ties laying around from misc jobs, but I'd never use them in AP or even gardening for that matter. When you can't take them to a landfill, that tells you a lot about how nasty they are.

Yeah I have worked with them before. But I also know that the termites hate them also. Which is a major problem here in our state. TCLynx among others say that even pressure treated lumber does not last in our weather for too long. So what do you use the ties "just laying around" for? I am going to have to have you draw out your DWC construction method when I see you next week.

I use them for landscape jobs, repairing existing walls, and temporary parking. Normal PT will last 8-10 years, "in ground PT" will last 15 plus. Both can be protected with a trench/drench termite product for either 5 or 10 years. termites need consistent moisture. Keeping the area dry usually will keep them away. my dwc was PT and plywood stained. Not sure how long it will last. The next one I build will be built using hardiboard for the bottom. It's cheaper then marine ply, and will last forever.

I partook in a Permaculture class a few years back. The instructor said railroad ties are not good for plants because they repel biological life, they don't belong. I've got a few, I keep thinking I'll put in the garden, but haven't. Let's see if I listen to my own advice.

Congratulations Floridafishin

Can't wait to watch your ALOT bigger system develop

Coach,

TCLynx I believe it was. Was only able to get about 5yrs at a time even with pressure treated lumber. Between the termites and the humidity allowing the planks to warp.

Boss,

That was one of the main reasons I was thinking of using them. All the biological stuff that I wanted to be in my system would already be inside the liner. And I would overlap the top of the ties to make sure rain water couldn't hit them and run off to contaminate my rafts.