Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This is my third aquaponic setup. Here is a link to my first.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4879

The second was based on the friendly's but I discontinued a few months later and made some modifications.

The setup contains 1 gravel and 3 raft beds. I am sure some of you veteran APers have experimented with something similar, did it work? any thoughts on the ratios?

The 3 connected raft tanks serve as the sump tank.

My biggest challenge is the heat during summer. For 5 months a year the average max temperatures hover around 45C/113F and the average Min at around 35C/95F.
My fish died this summer while I was on leave. The air pump failed and the caretaker was over feeding. Water temperature without aeration reached 37C/99F.
I employ a more powerful pump this time and planning to shade for the summer.
What else are you guys doing to keep the water temperature down?

My other challenge is finding a replacement for the styrofoam rafts. They did absorb water after a couple of months and the combination of water/humidity made them a big trap for sand/dust. Is anyone using or can suggest any other way?

More Photos

Hi. That's a fab idea to use the sumps as a dwc. Only thing I see as a problem is if that perforated bottle is your fishtank overflow then you need a SLO on your fishtank for solids removal. The rafts are still coming I take it? Looks like boards over the raft tank/sumps?

Hi Brian.
No waste remains at the bottom of the tank. The submersible pump is 1/3 HP and displaces 100 l/min. I only work it 3 mins every 3 hours but it does seem to displace any waste at the bottom of the tank, and the holes in the bottle are big enough to allow waste to pass through. Haven't had a problem with that so far.

The plywood is there to stop sun light/dust going into the tanks. I drilled a few holes yesterday and moved 3 cabbages, but it is only temorary till I find an alternative to the rafts.