Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I think I've managed to at least get my sketch to load.
Thanks to the wonderful search facility of the forum and, of course, all the contributors that make the forum just so good!!

Here's what I hope to achieve:

Four growbeds of 300 litres cut from the top of four IBCs. Set on a steel framed bench.
Four sump tanks of about 600 litres from the lower parts of those four IBCs. Set underneath the steel bench.
One full IBC for the fish tank with option of adding a second full IBC for flexibility etc.

I'm thinking to connect the four sump tanks together but include options to allow one or two of them to be isolated for 'hospital/treatment' tanks etc.

This means the GBs can drain into the STs but I'll include a central drain for them so that the 'hospital/treatment' tanks can be bypassed if and when necessary.

I'm thinking of a 90 mm PVC SLO from the top of the FT and all the way along the four growbeds. Probably oversize my pump, 6000 or 7000 litres per hour.

Questions:
Do I need a slope on the 90 mm PVC once it exits the Fish tank?
Am I on the right track re the pump size?
Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Cheers,

Hi Pelican,

I think your idea would work well however you probably don't need such a large volume for your sump tanks. Many people use a single IBC container for the fish tank and grow bed. You could do the same and just use your current sump tanks as your fish tanks.

At the moment you have a total of 1200 L of GB and 2400 L of sump for a 1000 L FT. My preference would be for more FT volume. You could just keep the current set up and put fish into your sumps too though. Might need to think about filtration (moving the fish poop).

Others with more experience may be able to add their opinions too I'm happy to be corrected.

Steve

I was going to basically suggest the same as Steve, however if you are definitely going to use one as a hospital/quarantine, then i would say go with what you were thinking, it sounds like you have thought of pretty much everything you need to.

I would certainly use the sumps for fish or yabbies or something like that.

im still new but it seems that the pump is incredibly large for this. the IBC is only 1000 liters, and even if u expand to adding another, thatd only be 2000 liters.

i am planning on doing something around 1500 liters per hour pump with my 1 IBC setup. i think thatll be enough

Yes the pump is a bit big but it also depends a bit on how Pelican is setting up the pump. You want to pump through the entire volume of your water each hour so if the pump is on a timer for say 15 min on and 45 off then the pump is only going to turn over 1500 L per hour (6000 L per hour pump). The water volume could be as much as 1000 L for FT and 2400 L if the sumps are full which is unlikely so lets take a guess and say around the 2500 to 3000 L total volume.

If the pump is on a timer of 30 min on and 30 min off then the 6000 L pump is about right. If the pump is on all the time then it might be a bit large but I don't see it being a big problem.

@Pelican, what are your plans for the GB? Timer set up or syphoned or constantly flooded?

Thanks for the prompt replies every one. Hard to believe that all this experience and advice is out there and that everyone seems so ready to share. This must be the friendliest, nicest, forum on the web.

I think part of my thinking has been to build in as much flexibility as possible, hence the sumps that can be used for other things too. I also have dreams of extending my system to including a large number of flowering plants that are in various containers (filled with dirt) at the moment and which make a great show on our expansive deck. That will take a bit of figuring to make it work and I don't want to be re-inventing my layout in the foreseeable future.

Anyone have any thoughts about the SLO and the relevant levels in the FT and GBs?

Cheers,

Thanks Steve.

Yes, at this time I'm thinking of using a timer and my calculations were similar to yours. I have been reading the forum for a few weeks now and get the impression that it's safer to err on the large side.

Cheers,

Yea too much pumping is never a problem, unless you start pushing the fish around too much, etc.

Given the info he gave in his first post, larger sump then FT, SLO setup, from what I can tell, that sounds like something that would be constantly running, why put that on a timer?

Given his setup, the only reason for going timer would be if he preferred his plants get some extra dry time, and maybe he don't like using siphons. Don't see no real other pros.

Not saving power, that probly evens itself out.

On the con side, he now has to use a much larger pump which costs more, and to add to that its going to break down faster.

Not saying he shouldnt. Just pointing out why I assumed it was going to be constantly running, hence saying its a massive pump for that.


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Thanks DCSR20,

I think you may be right so I'm re-evaluating which way to go as far as the timer is concerned.

Cheers,

Hi again,

I'm now looking for some up-to-date advice on a suitable pump. I've been impressed with the Aqua Nova Eco 6000 which is claimed to run at just 60w. I can get one for $174.

Any thoughts please?

Also, regarding air pumps. What's the difference/benefits of an air pump versus an air compressor? The Hailea ACO-208 air compressor runs at 25w for 2400 LPH and is quoted at $66. The Aqua One 02PLUS 8000 runs at 47w for 4200 LPH and is quoted at $138.

How much air do I need?

Once again, your thoughts and suggestions will be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Hi Pelican, This may give you an idea of how to connect you sumps together, then run to a BB from which you pump to your FT. This way you have built in taps to isolate each sump.

[quote="Pelican"]

Also, regarding air pumps. What's the difference/benefits of an air pump versus an air compressor? quote]


Air compressors are noisy, but great for a backup air system. I started with the electromagnet type air pumps but as many have done is to end up with the diaphram pumps. I run 2 x 60LPM but with your system you could use a 30LPM which is low wattage.

See some discussion here : http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=383761#p383761

Well, I've found my IBCs. Toyed with getting some black ones but in the end was not happy about what they had been used for. Had to hire a truck to get these but all in all still good value I think, they work out to around $100 each including transport. They are labelled FDA approved and apparently were used to hold sweetener for baby formula.

Here's a picture.

Unfortunately, that's not my place. I've been allowed to work on them at by B.I.L.'s place as I have limited space at home.



The label says: "For Food Contact. FDA approved."

Spent some time yesterday cutting and chopping.



Yep, cut the first one by hand! Graduated to an angle grinder with cutting disc after that!