Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day I'm attempting a 4xIBC CHIFT PIST system in my back yard. After much reading, measuring, rereading, sourcing, reading, measuring, YouTubing....well you get the picture (you've most likely done it)....I have come full circle and "almost" decided to go with a simple setup using;

1x 1000L FT with SLO
1x 30L drum RFF (planning on adding a moving bed bio filter once I source another drum)
4x approximately 240L GB's (using the "lengthways side IBC cutting method"?) cutting the other two IBC's, 2x beds will have a bell siphon drain and the other two will use a simple standpipe and be constant flood
1x 1000L ST.

Other than the 4 IBC's that I managed to get my hands on for free, I have nothing yet, though looking to obtain;

-2 x pumps, one a 12V backup. The pump decision is killing me! No idea of what pumps to get??? I know I should be at least, able to pump my FT volume every hour. Maybe a Bunnings pump will have to do for now.
-1 x small air compressor to use as backup air supply to FT. Going to use venturi to aerate while system is running "normal"
-1 x deep cycle battery of backup system with a mains trickle or solar charger.?
-various plumbing - 50mm SLO - RFF - GB 40mm standpipes - 60/80mm drain - ST 32/40mm return to FT

For now back up volume will be controlled visually and applied by hose from our rainwater tank.

I'm not sure If I'm missing anything here so feel free to pick the crap out of it for me.

Cheers!

Here is my back yard. The proposed position for the set up is in the far back righthand corner (of the bottom pic), running 4 GB's long with ST under 1st GB's. FT and RFF set up beside 1st GB so as to reduce the length of plumbing. The fence line you see runs along our South boundary making the hedge the East boundary. Still deciding on whether to run it along the South or the East boundary? If anyone can see an obvious advantage for a setup please share!

why do you want 2 GB with a siphon and 2 with a standpipe, are you having an each-way bet?

anyway my 2 bobs worth.

I think the Aquapro pond pumps at the B are ok. when selecting use the flow rate to match the head on the pump curve.
ie 1000 L/Hr @ 1.5m

there are a few threads here regarding pumps.

the RFF I probably not necessary if you have 4 x 240L gravel/hydroton GB's

remember to paint or cover all the tanks to sun off.

Each way is bet is right, planning on adding some variation in the GB's for the future, cut out the failures as I go.

I'm adding the RFF simply because I can and I have the bits to build it. I have seen quite a bit of expansion in most systems so it will be there if I need it.

FT will be insulated and covered as will all the external piping. ST will be dug into the ground a ways and also covered. GB's will also be insulated and or clad. And now planning a ploy pipe greenhouse thanks to a RobBob YouTube clip.

Thanks for all the advice, it's greatly appreciated.

You might try add 2 SLO's. Just incase one gets clogged you have a backup.

Closer to hedge - more wind resistance.
Away from hedge - more morning sun (positive)
Sump under growbed - this isn't directly ontop so too access pump - check pallet works here or use support beams.
Trout? put the fishtank in a cooler place - the opposite for warmer fish.

Placement of inlets into growbeds?
Placement of standpipes?
lengths of standpipes with siphons to sump?

Thanks jayendra, some good points to ponder.

Run dual SLO's? I suppose I would run them both to the RFF? 2 standpipes like ROB BOB's RFF on his RAS build?

The hedge will probably be cut out to a point to provide more space, though there is a good high fence behind it offering similar characteristics. The prevailing winter wind comes from the South West and really blows through the backyard. Summer is a lot less worrying for wind. Either way the plan is to rig up a poly greenhouse and this is mostly to protect against wind and frost.

I was thinking the inlets should be set opposite the standpipes, with the two siphons closest to the sump to avoid air problems.

Yep thats what I was thinking

One thing you might want to consider is the size plants grow and the space between them. The height and width and ease of harvestability.

All in a line? with inlet pipe down one side.
Checkerboard? with inlet pipe down the middle (space to walk around for this?) - more growing space for plants to grow out.

jayendra, you've successfully initiated the new checkerboard layout. I had not previously considered such a layout as I was so concerned with keeping a minimal footprint. It will take up a little more room, however what I lose in space I gain in accessibility, expandability and more "air space" for the plants. Think it might look pretty neat too. Cheers for pulling out some ripper ideas, buggered if I could make a decision.

If i could work out how to use that 3D drawing gizmo I would post up a bit of a model. I might make a bit of a, whats it called? Sketch...you know the one where you scratch flattened trees with a bit of burnt stick to make a picture. Then take a pic and post that.

Your system is exactly like the system I'm almost finished with except my ST is at the end of the growbeds. My pump will be in the ST and pump to the FT and to the GBs and both will drain back to the ST.

Edited: deleted links because pics didn't work. Will try and upload to photobucket and post images.

Observe the K.I.S.S RULE I reckon until you have more experience

You can always complicate it all later on by adding all the bolt on accessories as you learn the ropes.

Thanks for that, had a look at your set up, good work all round.






Cheers blind freddie, K.I.S.S is right! Stupid is as Stupid does, and I tend to over analyse things to the point of never getting anything done.

Having dramas at the moment cleaning out the IBC's that had the PVA in them. Made the mistake of letting the water soluble PVA dry so I could "just peel it out". All was going great guns until I found a sh*# tin of tiny little bubbles of PVA that had dried hard and were not taking to being peeled, scraped or blasted off. In addition to those little blighters, I found areas of ultra thin film that also wouldn't budge. I'm currently in the painstaking process of soaking the cut open GB's hoping to soften and or lift the problem areas.

I have picked up two pumps now, a Fluval FX5 filter pump 3500 L/H from the local tender centre for $100 and a Grundfos 13000 L/H float controlled submersible, freebie from Dad. I don't need two pumps, the Fluval was a very rare impulse buy as it seemed cheap and could be something to experiment with later. Yet to pick up anything for a backup system yet, might be next on the agenda...

After I have the cleaning and the GB frames knocked over I can crack into the ground work for the system i.e. digging the ST in, levelling and so on. Then measure up and fit the plumbing, fill the system, order the media and test equipment, plant some green things and cycle....

That grunfos is a big pump, check the wattage on it cause Id say it would be right up there too. It may be an overkill for what your planning.

Hi Ripturd.
Your going through the same thing I have with latex instead of PVA.
Sucks hey

I've found the best thing (and I've tried a lot of things) is high powered pressure washer with hot water running into it.
Only a glass scraper gets the thin stuff off - and it takes a lot of work.

Like charlie said check the watts on the pumps. The grunfos may especially turn out to be an expensive pump rather than free.