Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Wow what a winter we've had in FLA. After loosing all the fish (7 plecos 10-14", 6 tilapia, and countless giant dannios) I decided to cover the pool/pond with a tarp in an effort to curb the green algae, which seemed unaffected by the continual freezes.
I also have another bed up and running. This time I used a 300 gallon container to build a flood and drain system using a bell syphon. I over speched the pump (I was going to build two beds but Tractor Supply only had one tub) so I plumbed in a by pass and only grab about half of the pumps pressure. The bed fills in about 20 minutes and drains in 10. I used 1" pvc for the stand pipe/outlet plumbing which in hindsight could have probably been bigger. The syphon is 3" pvc and after many unsuccessful design attempts the key for success for me was getting the top of the bell close to the standpipe (about 2 1/2"). The water temp in the deep end (8') is only 56 degrees so it will be a little bit before the tarp comes off and the fish go in. I have 24 tilapia (thanks TC!!) in wait in a 29 gal. aquarium, which have quickly out grown their space, the sooner the better!! Here's some pics of GB2 -

More pics -

The GB is enormous! Can I ask what you intend to plant?

The pond/pool is enormous - 23,000 gallons. In this bed will be bush beans, okra, peppers and eggplant, it's sister will have the climbers - tomatoes and squash.

Good Job!!!!!

Hope the big bed helps you out with the filtration there.

I'm looking into some ideas that might greatly help filtration for large tanks, could be a while though.

Thanks TC, hopefully I can get another container from TS soon and get the other one up and running, since I have the gravel for it in the driveway. The water couldn't get warmer sooner as far as the tilapia are concerned. The first dominant male made a nest then got ousted a few weeks latter by the second largest male (the big guy took some scratches). The (slightly) smaller male still has control and a nest but no female takers. Hopefully I can get the water in the pond clear enough to see their transition from 29 to 23,000 gallons of life! Note, the pics are from about a month ago and there is not gravel cleared away (nests).

nice looking fish...someone's gonna be eating talapia soon!

Looking good.

Could be waiting several weeks though before water is really getting much warmer in the pool unless you have a solar pool heater going.

No heating, but maybe the tarp will help retain some heat. No worries though, I need the time to get the next bed up. The only pain is keeping the tilapia tank clear. I got an external DE filter and have to run it about once a week to keep the water clear. But, after this long and the lose this winter, I can wait........

Nice fish.... Slightly different shape to our tilapia but same colouring and fins.

That is one big blankety blank bed!

yup, and was easy as heck to make, except for hauling and rinsing the gravel.....that wasn't so fun, and I've got gravel for another one sitting in my driveway , hope to get that up soon.

Go big or go home!

He doesn't have much choice with a swimming pool that big for his fish tank.

He is at home