Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and AP.

I'm in the planning and design stage of my first system. I have a disused pool yard area that I'm going to utilise.

Bargain eBay find: 7 fibreglass bathtubs. The big ovals are 1.94m x 1.1m x 0.47m. The others are standard sized tubs (1.7m) and one 1.5m.

I plan on arranging them like so:

Missing from the plans are some IBC sumps that I will place in the pool cavity near the oval FT's before filling cavity and covering with turf and/or gravel (decking over sumps) The koi pond and gazebo will probably come later.

An alternative is to expand the pond but the area has a lot of gumtrees and I'd prefer the system to be low maintenance. Shade sails could replace gazebo though.

Comments, ideas and criticisms welcome.

Welcome Greg.

That is a big system. Best of luck and cant wait for updates.

Yea thats awesome, Greg!

That sounds fantastic mate ,

You can dump that old pool shell at my place if you like, I'll get rid of it for you

why not make a deck over the pool and have fish/sump massive

That was my first plan but I crunched the numbers and it's way out of my budget.

Before I go crazy at my local hardware store, does anyone have any recommendations as to plumbing and siphon component dimensions?

Grow beds are 380-420mm deep to the edge.
Round end tubs are 1550x610 inner (1250 long at the base)
Long square end one is 1400x600 (1100 long at base)
Small square end tub is 1250x600 (900 long at base)
All have 50mm plug holes.

I just bought 2x Jebao 5000's (~ 4200L/h @ 1m, 3000L/h @ 2m)

what fits in the plug holes for standpipes?

Um I'm hoping someone can tell me.
I've got a Masters and a Bunnings near me, I'll go "browsing" tomorrow.

*edit* Perhaps a sink plug or something like this could work in conjunction with bulkhead fittings?
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/25mm-x-50mm-x-8mm-Garter-Spring-TC-Double-Lip-Oil-Shaft-Seal-/160932956985?pt=AU_Business_Industrial_Industrial_Supply_MRO&hash=item25785a0b39

Um I'm hoping someone can tell me.


*edit* Gotta love Google:
http://www.underthechokotree.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=236:aquaponics-making-a-bell-siphon&catid=97:aquaponics&Itemid=37

If you use a standard 40mm "plug and waste"... then it's easy... (the BYAP kits are made with these)

viewtopic.php?p=199730#p199730

It's a 25mm timed F&D standpipe... but can be the basis for a siphon just as easily...

You can even buy them from the BYAP shop...

http://backyardaquaponicsshop.com/shop/drainage-kit/

Welcome,looking forward to watching your progress,by the way i love the way your man in your plan is stood there hands in pockets just relaxing and surveying his Aquaponic garden.

Welcome,looking forward to watching your progress,by the way i love the way your man in your plan is stood there hands in pockets just relaxing and surveying his Aquaponic garden.[/quote]

The start of this system reminds me alot of your system start Dasboot! Was there any particular reason you went away from your original pond other than sunlight? Did the large body of water make it difficult in some way?

The pond was a starter into Aquaponics,very soon i could see the limitations of running a system from the pond,i wanted more control more hands on this is what my new system gives me.
The pond is going to get four half barrel filter beds as its filtration when the boss says i can.

I bet everyone remembers buying their first big batch of fittings

This lot is for the siphons and drain side of things, pump to spray bars will be the next trip. Any recommendations on what diameter plumbing should I use for all that? Outlet on pump is 25mm ID, 30mm OD.


Thanks, I grabbed a couple of those waste drains for the oval FT's.