Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hey rupe i thought galvanized steel was a no no in AP. Aren't you worried about those legs you have in the water?

Absolutely correct Steem... and if I had or build one like it... then I wont have to clean it...

I clean mine, primarily as insurance and peace of mind... because I'm overstocked in relation to my growbed filtration capacity... ...

I certainly do have concerns... and the remainder are being replaced this weekend... most were replaced a while ago... just what I had on hand at the time...

And I avoid submerging them in the water...

Thanks guys
Rupert, I was planning to run this filter via the sump and return the water to the FT via waterfall i.e. straight from the outlet into the FT, this will help oxygenation of the FT.

The pump for the system will be suspended on a base that is approx 6" from the bottom of the main ST to avoid collecting excessive levels of waste matter being drawn though the pump and thereby avoiding damage to the impeller etc.

As for airobic activity, could it not be achieved via airstones located in the void used to hold the heavy solids in the lower level?

These solids can then be removed via a bung or such in the base of the filter unit.

Unfortunately Bio-Balls are quite expensive but yes they would be ideal for capturing waste and for storing benificial bacteria, would coir matting do the job?

Dumb moment, ofcourse not, it would only resuspend the heavy solids again

Maybe not AP but still fed on Fish Poo via irrigation

This are the last of the current tommies . They have been real nice agin this season though, and I can't wait to try and get a system happening where I can grow Tommies for most months of the year



Some were bigger than these but they didn't get to the stage for a picky!!

2nd Trial System - Mini Fry/Q Tank and Grow Bed

I was tidying up and doing the water changes in my fishroom when I realised that I am going to need somewhere to put the current Shubunkin fry once they are ready to be moved up in tank size, prior to addition to future systems.

This is what I threw together in about 4 hours.









Details:
- The GB is a 45l plastic tub with 1 drain hole in the base.
- Filtration is via a Staged Trickle Filter
- The FT is a plastic 45l tub.
- Water flow via small submersible power head as used in aquariums.

Aims of System:
- To enable the continued development of current and future Shubunkin fry, or to use as a quarantine system for new stocks or illness.
- A possible Yabby tub in the FT and Fry in the GB [if rafts are used.]
- Raft or Media based growing of Herbs and small height plants [To allow for shade etc.]
- System will eventually be intergrated into either system 1 or into the ornamental pond filtration and pump.

Filtration:
- FT water is pumped to GB via Aquarium powerhead.
- Continuos flow through media
- Enters filter via base drain in GB
- Water filtered through super fine mesh screen [as used in swimming pool filter boxes]
- From screen to floating filter pads and bio-balls
- Exits stage 1 of filter via a series of holes in the base
- Enters stage 2 - Settling trap
- Re-enters FT via Trickle Feed

Additional Options:
- Possible to better insulate the FT from extremes of temps via various products such as Green Bats [Classed as Eco Friendly] and shade cloth
- End compartment of overall base structure available for use as Compost/Worm Box or as the location for a second GB.

I don't know if this will work the way I want it to, but.......Nothing ventured hey?

Pretty tomatoes VM!

Imagine a 3 foot long, 4" diameter half-cylinder of chocolate mousse (like a very soft core sample), except that it is _fish poo_. That is what was in the corrugated drainage pipes at the bottom of my little siphon beds after a year of operation with no plants. Not problematic though as the beds still processed ammonia OK.

SYSTEM 2 - The RECYCLED SYSTEM!
Update: 1/3/09
Completed plumbung system 2 into the ornamental garden.
This is a constant flow system where the water is governed via a series of in-line taps and junctions all 13mm black poly pipe salvaged from my original garden irrigation! I am using this system to try and get my Gudgeons to breed, so if it doesn't then I haven't lost too much.
System 2 is supplied via split pressure submersible pump.
This allows for less pressure being exerted on the pump should the flow require slowing.

A 13mm inline tap controls flow from pond to tank 1 [Yabbies soon]

The water is then screened via a biofilter as it enters the sump to remove heavy particles from the yabbies

The sump pump is a small aquarium filter with no filter media added to increase flow/lift

The Grow Bed planted with a few seedlings as the 'Sacrificial Goats' so to speak!

The water level is controlled via a well with 2 holes drilled at various depths allowing for the water level to sit approx 20mm from the surface.

Then returns to the pond via a drain with in built tap for further flow control.


Back into the pond just above high water level

The system has been seeded with 'Charlie Carp' just because this is just a fun project and I love thinking that there were many a stinker gone into the making of this Aussie Gear!



COMMENTS:
MEDIA:
- 2x20kg river pebbles
- 4x20kg pea size gavel
Flow rate appears steady though some minor adjustments may be required later. The temperature was interesting. I actually added a fair amount of fresh to the pond today and yet the temp was still 24c at 6pm this evening. The tub in the sump section was reading 26c, mmmm heating hey?
Seedlings added:
- Snow Peas
- Brussel Sprouts
- Min Lettuce

Looks good. See your getting the toe in photo down pat.