Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone,

I've been thinking about building an aquaponics system for years, but being in Melbourne and ISO has finally pushed me over the edge and I can't wait to start (although I have to wait until the shops open again )

Below is my rough plan, what are peoples thoughts?

1000L IBC FC
200L radial flow settler
6000lph pump
600L Sump
x2 Clay Media GB
25 silver perch (ordered for December) hopefully the system is cycled by then
x1 Venturi


I also had a couple of questions
1. Is there concerns with this water flow:
FT -> RF -> sump or should it go FT -> RF -> GB -> sump

2. With the Venturi is it OK just to have the water from the pump entering the FT via the Venturi or should I put in a tee slip and run a separate line?

3. From the pump to the FT can I use the black flex pipe or should I run some 25mm PVC or larger because of the distance?

Thanks
Greg

Bump

I have seen a system setup pretty much exactly as you have pictured, with the addition of a bucket in the sump where the water flows in from the RFF with some coarse filtration media just to catch any fines that go through which I suppose could be eliminated by going through the media bed first or ignored and let run through the pump.

I believe they put the secondary filter material in so they didn't have to clean the bottom of the sump as often to be honest

As for 2. and 3. I would be speculating so better I keep my mouth shut so as not to be the cause of any issues.

Hiya Greg.
Why not have the flow from the RFF go directly to the Grow Beds? This way the Fish Tank water, possibly laden with ammonia, doesn’t get pumped back to the FT.
My main water feed from the pump is pumped through a Venturi into the fish tank surface to create a swirl effect which helps with the SLO, not sure how this would work with an IBC.
20-25mm is a good supply size, use 45° elbows where possible to reduce friction is you’re concerned about pipe run length.
Valves aren’t required on your flow in and out of the RFF as the flow rate through it is governed by the valve at the FT supply.
Perhaps keep the fish numbers a bit lower to begin with until you get a handle on it as you can always add more later if you like.
Hope this helps.

Hi skeggley,

The main reason is a I wanted to use gravity from the FT -> sump. If I go FT -> GB then I would need to use a pump because of the different heights. After posting this I found my setup is called a CHOP 2 (https://blog.aquaponics.net.au/learn-ab ... system.htm).


I was planning on starting off with 25 fish, with the 2 grow beds I should be able to have around 35, but I wanted to start a little smaller.

A height difference of 300mm between the top of the FT water level and GB water level is all you need.
Not a fan of chop2 but you’re looking at putting in a MBBF as well as the RF? I’m a ‘keep it simple’ kinda guy and have removed my filters from the system to minimise maintenance.
What is the height of the media in your GBs?

Hi Greg, I have a similar setup as yourself but run from FT->RF -> GB's then siphons to sump where pumped to FT. I made a spray bar for the FT entry pointing down on one side of the IBC FT so that it disturbs the water, and makes a flow across the base of the FT to the opposite side where the SLO picked it up.

I found that I had detritus buildup in the corners hence pointing the spray bar down.

I also used 50mm DWV piping for pump/spray and RF-GB distribution with taps, 90mm stormwater for the FT-->RF connections.

1st page of my thread has some pics showing how its setup.

GL with your build!

Thanks for the feedback!

I think I'll change the system as you suggested to go FT -> RF -> GB -> Sump -> FT!

I have to run the PVC across the ground, but I should be able to maintain a 300mm height difference.

Thanks for the idea re the spray bar I'll add that to the bottom of the venturi.

Once I can get the supplies, I'll add some photos

I like Grafs idea of upsizing the pipe work too, dwv 40 and 90 are the cheapest and you can always reduce.
When putting a u bend in the pipe work it’s always a good idea to have a drain at the lowest point.
I have run all my pipework out of the way under ground and have drains at the low points but I do live in the Hills.