Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've got happy fish and full growbeds in system 1. The vegies are good, the fish are growing (could use some extras). So while waiting for fish dinner, what should I do? Try another system of course.

System one is 1200l tank (3 x 500l tanks from b) with half drum growbeds. But the system has two water pumps and an airpump to run it. To much to go wrong.

System 2 is much simpler (mostly)

Fish tank is 250l lightweight tank. Grow beds (4) are half 200l drums (400l total) sitting on simple cradles. System to run with a single 10w pump running continuously, drained by autosiphons (2 styles).

end Part 1

... Part 2.

The fast autosiphon on two growbeds uses 19 mm poly with a J bend to ensure the airlock to start the siphon. The slow autosiphon on the other growbeds (not visible in photo) uses a 8mm constriction to ensure the siphon starts.

The valve unit is of my own concoction. I started with the assumptions that a) I'd keep water pressure low, and b) it would not matter if it leaked if the water dripped back into the tank anyway.

Valves are 19mm to 15mm threaded T pieces. The flow control is done by sliding a piece of 13mm poly tube up and down in the T piece. Actuation is done with car door lock actuator motors (idea gratefully and shamelessly stolen from Les).

Control is done by an AVR microcontroller and Relay boards on system form Dontronics.

Now to add some ammonia until the fish arrive ...

gg

nice never considered car door locks as a source of actuators.

can i say one thing though? wouldn't it make more sense to move the electronics away from the pond. dangling it like that might be temping fate should a hose spring a leak and spray up. if your electrics shorts out your GB's might over flow. it also might be a lot easier to get to if it wasn't in the middle of the pond

Good one GG - love the valve setup.

where is the mouse?

Wonderful....wonderful

first there was aquaponics...then there was AP actuators.

Have to see about forming our own club
Elk, TimC, GG

thought of adding Steve, but he only suggested actuators as a "tongue in cheek have a go at Les" off the cuff remark - plus he hasn't got one in his system

Jaymie - pic 4, holding the hose down

but it should be in every picture

Maybe you could start up your own discussion group Les...maybe even write a book

"Backyard Actuators"

...or "Elk's Journal"

beatcha

changed it

I can fix that