Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Question about DWC: If I use 1" foam - what size net pots would work best? 2" or 3".

I'd like to get some durascrim and try out TCLynx's rail trough design for a raft system in this area.

There is no rIght or wrong really... Ive gone for 2" but I think DD had some larger ones with success.

Yep I used 3" pots, I have 2" ones but have never used them. That said I think Ryan has great success and I don't think he is using pots at all - I remember one picture that looked like maybe he's using some kind of plugs.

Edit: I looked close and sometimes it looks like Ryan is using 2" pots but sometimes maybe plugs?

I planted a lot of stuff in one pot, and a mix just for fun - with AP you don't have to be concerned about crowding. All the lettuce shown here was planted in only 4 3" pots: viewtopic.php?p=330367#p330367

Wow Dave! it is so awesome to see all those greens planted together and thriving. Thanks for sharing the link.

Progress Update: Fish-less cycling of the system continues.

I have removed the top 2" layer of the rich top soil and graded the area where the additional six grow beds will be set up. I didn't want to cover up the rich humus so instead it will be part of the kids' veggie garden.


Got the materials cut for the GB frames and looking forward to getting them together this week.

My wife is celebrating that our driveway is finally clear of the pile of river rock. I'm sure the neighbors are happy to see it gone too. One less thing for the HOA to cite me on.

Unfortunately my wheelbarrow is about to fall apart after all the strain though it was a great workout for my arms and core.

How many times did you have to pump up the wheelbarrow's tires?

I actually had to replace both tubes!

And had I known that the barrow (bucket area) was going to crack I probably would have bought another wheel barrow, one stronger made of metal instead of the plastic one. Who knew?

I'm bummed because I must have a small leak in my system.

Drips or sprays?

I have searched for the culprit by running my hand around/over/under the connections and haven't found any drips. Still I'm losing gallons every couple days.

I assume the leak has conspired with my keys and will be in the last place I'll look!

Timing is everything. The saying is especially true with plumbing leaks...

Finally discovered that my common drain was overfilling and spilling water out of the system. I didn't see the spills when I was checking during the week (in the morning and evening= lower light levels). I finally just sat down and watched the scene under the grow beds and walaah! There it was.

Doh, such a newbie mistake, still I feel more accomplished somehow by it.

I will go with separate 1" drains. I just switched out one and it seems to work even better. Because of the increased pressure more aeration is created when with the spray into the fish tank when it drains.

+ 1 I went with separate drains, and I know that aeration is high. I was trying to put my finger on why I liked separate drains, and that sums it up well.

Progress Update: Lots of work done this weekend.

While I cycle my system...

Switched the 4" common drain pipe to 3 seperate 1" drains. No more leakage! Well that is except when I
accidentally kicked out alignment one of the drain pipes and it subsequently spilled water outside the fish
tank. I awoke with the pump slurping air. Looking forward to securing those pipes so that won't happen
again.

I also modified the feed lines into the grow beds. I replaced the 1 1/2" pipe with 1" pipe that reduces to
3/4" at the valve at the surface of the GB. I switch mainly for the cost savings. Those larger valves are
very expsensive and with the expansion I was looking to reduce costs. The smaller diameter pipe seems to
work fine. As it stands now I have 1 1/2" pipe coming out of the FT reducing to 1" up to each GB with the 3/4" valve.

While I was at Home Depot picking up the pipe I had them load cubic yard of road gravel into my Tachoma
truck. The employee look very nervous for me as the bed of the truck lowered as the half ton settled.
Everytime I get these big loads I feel a little trepidation, but know in my mind that the owner's manual
states I can haul that and a bit more. I just have to watch the bumps.

Made it back to the house and had more fun with the wheel barrow. It now serves as a ground cover and
substrate under the area where I'll be installing six additional GBs. I find it much easier to level
things on top of stamped gravel versus the sandy soil.

Got the blocks leveled and built a second frame (of three) that will support 3 GBs. The feed line just
needs to have t's inserted and I will almost be ready to double the area of my grow beds.





Of course all that I'll have left is to wash more gravel. Ugh!

Here a cross view diagram of my set-up. This helped kids see my "vision". Hope it adds value here.