Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here it is, with a little help from other on this forum I have made adjustments to my system and here is version 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOQg7MJn-lY
let me know if I can make this better or if you have any questions thanks!!!
chris

That's pretty similar to the setup I've been working on. Mine's still under $200, I think. I'd have to tally it up again. Since those pictures were taken it has changed a bit(I've attached a more recent picture here); new pump (325gph, up from 40gph, with a filter on the intake, since the sediment killed the smaller pump), two more planters on either side, changed the pipe manifold from an overhead shower to just pour into one end of the grow beds, added a loop siphon to each bed, and put the pump and light on timers.

You say you got the pump from Harbor Freight; is it a tile saw pump? That's what my first pump was. I think they can break down pretty easily when running constantly and pumping directly from the fish tank, or maybe I just had bad luck. The replacement is a $44 325gph pond pump from Menards, with a large, pop-on filter for the intake that was an additional $17. Yeah, all that was four times the price, but it works so much better. I've considered giving a bilge pump a try for pumping directly from the fish tank, since they're usually pretty stout and don't mind particulate much.

Looks good, though. Keeping it simple.

Thanks for the pointers about the filter. I did notice a little build up on the pump. The pump is a fountain pump so Im hoping it will stand up for a while. Also I made a few adjustments to keep the pump clean in a simple way as well as added more gravel and I will post episode three soon. Your setup is nice man what kind of growth are you getting and what type of light? Since my plants are mostly still seedlings I haven't been running the light much, but I think the pre grown plats from home depot are suffering from the lack of light....either that or they are now dying because my cat was able to get to them in my first system...I found that out by finding whole plants downstairs on the carpet when the system is upstairs lol. Also what kind of fish do you have?

If you intend to produce food beyond leafy greens, you will probably have to provide a way for the plants to 'harden' with a fan blowing wind around. Some plants will not produce if their stems cannot support the extra weight. The water evaporated too quickly with the ceiling fan so now I use an oscillating fan which is directed at the plants instead of the whole system. This helps more heat from the submerged water heater stay near the tank instead of it blowing away. I have been wondering if the heater would work better in the flood tank to warm it for the plants instead of the fish (anyone else have experience with this?).

Thanks thorn Ill def look into the fan, this is the hottest room in the house so in the summer we have a fan anyway so that shouldn't be an issue. Episode three is loading as I type, just a few minor tweaks and no filter, at least not running also got a little sprout growing