Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thought I would post a few pics of my first build currently still in progress.

Basic outline at this stage includes a 1500L fish tank, a 400L internal sump tank (which also doubles as moving bed bio filter) and an external sump tank which is 2000L. I currently plan on splitting the flow from the fish tank into 2 x 200L blue barrels set-up as Radial Flow Filters. Splitting the flow should give me around 15 minutes settlement time which I am hoping will help reduce overall solids in the system.

The flow from the RFF's will then divert into a 200L trickle filter before exiting to the internal sump tank/moving bed bio filter. Any overflow from the internal sump tank diverts to the 2000L sump tank which is below floor level outside of the greenhouse.

In Winter (during the night), the external sump tank pump which directly feeds the greenhouse garden will be switched off in an attempt to conserve heat, while internally the system will continue to run as a dedicated RAS (there is a small pump in the internal sump tank to keep things circulating and to keep the fish happy).

When the outdoor sump pump kicks back in (maybe mid morning when it get warmer), it will continue to feed the greenhouse plants plus dump additional water into the indoor sump tank. This will cause the internal sump tank to overflow and add nutrient rich water back to the sump tank which will mix and end up going to the plants. During summer everything will just run continuously without anything controller by timers.

Difficult to explain so a pic is attached to help clarify...

Initially my first structure was a small polycarb greenhouse. Having no experience it soon became apparent what a poor decision this was. It did have a few auto roof vents but I was never going to help keep this thing cool. The temperature inside was rising to over 50 degrees on hot days and it was just never going to be viable. It was such a poor decision and the result of ignorance.

Thankfully it copped some abuse from high winds and after having panels blow out I had the perfect excuse to tear it down, tear up a whole bunch of dollars, and pretend the whole thing never happened.

I wasted a lot of time and effort for at least a year designing my own greenhouse before finally settling on a commercial design with a few modifications. Firstly I had the front door widened to accommodate an opening width of two meters (to get tanks in and out should the need arise). I also had the rear wall modified so it could wind up as the breeze mostly comes in from that direction. The front and rear vents were also significantly increased in size in the interest of maximising ventilation. The overall foot print is 6m wide by 8m long. The centre height of 3.5m.

Due to the centre height exceeding the maximum 3m height of my area I ended up having to go down the whole council submission path. I also decided to pass construction to a local builder rather than attempt this on my own. This was arguably the smartest decision I ever made.

In summer, with the three walls wound up and both end wall vents fully opened, the temperature inside is almost identical to the outside temperature. If there is a slight breeze then there is zero difference inside to outside. All said and done I feel I got it right the second time around.

After completion I was left with an uneven gravel floor. After much contemplation I decided a level hard floor would be something I would be forever thankful for so after I got a great deal on a cement slab - I had it put in. Down the External Sump tank side I had a 400mm gap left so I could maintain access to the outside world. Once the slab was down the boy and I painted the floor in nice colour with some non-slip gritty paver paint, which looked great until the dogs did what dogs do….

I plan on running at least one 600l media flood and drain grow bed and a bunch of dutch buckets, but for the greater part I am keen to grow maybe 75% using the DWC method. I feel it a sure thing I will run 2 x 600L DWC beds and maybe even expand in time. This is the reason that I went with the 2000L sump tank (in the form of low profile “underdeck tank”).

I also plan on doing offline mineralisation for all the gunk that comes out of the radial flow filters. The offline tank tank for this will be located next to the external sump tank so I can easily transfer the processed goodness back into the sump tank. I have not yet decided if the offline tank will be in the form of an IBC or a 200L barrel. I am leaving this option open and will think it over more.

Internally I have been building a shelter to enclose the tanks and filters in order to put them in shade and keep direct light off them. One side of the shelter directly faces the winter sun so I will use this wall to grow stuff. On top of the shelter I have built in a manhole so I can access some of that area. I am fairly conscious about trying to reclaim every square meter for growing space. On top of the shelter seemed like perhaps a good place for seedlings. Nothing here is certain but with the manhole I have options….

As of this weekend I have the shelter mostly painted, installed some shade cloth to keep off the high winter sun, and placed the fish tank in its final resting spot. Progress is for the most part slow but I am hoping to be up and running in the Springtime.

Welcome to the forum Bones . Great location for your setup and a really impressive start. Looks like you've got the right idea. I think you probably could have omitted the external sump but there are some advantages to having one.

Cheers

Man that will be some system cant Waite to see more progress photos

Like the thinking on disconnecting the external sump in cold weather. Look forward to some data on how that works.

I am a little torn over the idea. I think it will be a given that doing this will help the fish tank maintain perhaps a few degrees overnight in winter - I think this will be for certain.

However, mid morning when the external sump tank springs into action may negate any short term gain. ie - I will have 2000L of colder water gradually mixing throughout the system which I am sure will reduce any net overnight gain. I suspect it will be quite difficult to accurately measure how well it works with so many day-to-day variables. When operating I will collect some numbers and see if any trends appear.....

I have a few crazy ideas about maintaining heat in winter. I suspect none of them alone will make much difference but hopefully using several methods in unison will produce a positive net gain. At the very, least playing the mad scientist is going to be fun!

You might be able to rig up some type of solar water heater, not to get the water really hot but to raise the temp of the water in the sump and have the pump to the system kick in when it hits a temp near the fish tank set temp (so the temperature change won't shock the fish). Someone else here used a snap disk temperature controller in a solar water heater attached to their greenhouse.

Little update to works in progress....

Popped my cherry and cut down my first IBC cage! Had stressed a bit over this having never used a grinder before, yet simultaneously cringed at the thought of doing it with a hacksaw. Was quick and easier than I anticipated. Had my boy file the edges smooth and sprayed it afterwards to keep down any rust. I am no longer scared of my grinder.

Have now made a reasonable start on the potting bench which doubles as a place for 1/2 of the bio filter/internal sump (I think I estimated it at around 400 litres). The potting bench top will be hinged allowing IBC access if required, although most access will be assumed from inside the shelter.

I will be covering up the IBC from the potting bench side to keep the light off although I haven't exactly decided what with yet... It will either be plywood, shade-cloth, or that bamboo screening that Bunnings sell. I don't anticipate replacing the IBC anytime soon - but when/if the time comes I wants to be able to move it without a lot of fuss and disassembly, so whatever I use will need to suit this plan.

I also built in some under potting bench storage. Again, access will be via a hinged bench top.

You're doing an awesomely neat job there! And yes, angle grinders are fun.

Looks awesome bones. Looking forward to the build

Small update....

I finished the bench top and did some more framing for the sunscreen. I was going to hinge the bench but decided there was no advantage so have simply set it up so that it can be lifted up/off for access.

I spent the afternoon painting and also have this next week off work so hoping to get some runs on the board.

The hope is this week I can complete the painting and install more shade cloth. Once this is done I should be almost at the stage where I can start the plumbing - although I do still need to get a sparky in to add power. Still lots to do but starting to feel like I am getting closer to the pointy end....

Looking good. Like the use of post stirrups for the frames, damn good idea for longevity.


Next time you use the angle grinder unroll the full length of that extension lead. Using it still on the reel will cause the lead to melt if you draw enough current... Will end very badly!