Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Finally started on my new system.
800L tank , 2 100L grow beds.
Nice big pile of dirt all dug out.
Sand and pavers underneath to support, Besser blocks all around to hold in place.
Pump ready to go, pipework almost ready.
4 bags of hydroton in storage ready to wash.

Current hurdle, I cannot find the necessary pipework to connect the pump to the growbed inlet pipes.
Bunnings didnt have the needed fitting (pump is huge, and has massive outlet point).

Do you need to rethink the pump? Hoe big is it?

Stingray 6000
6000 Litres/hr
2.7m max head
head is about 1.5m.
If the pressues to great I will use bigger pipes (once i get the right fittings.
If the growbeds dont drain fast enough I'll add a junction to divert water direct back to the tank (which would help aerate)
Smaller pumps not an option I can negotiate with the wife (scary amount of $$$ already spent putting it all together)

update:

Found the fittings i needed, and put them together. Quick run without sealing all the plumbing, and it flowed quite well.
Now waiting on silicone to dry in the growbeds, then i can add the hydroton.

Next challenge, how to get the t-piece for between the to growbeds to be level.
From my quick run, one growbed was flowing really well, the other only moderately. This was from one side being about an inch lower than the other.

Best solution is inline taps either side of the tee to control the flow to each bed

Inline taps.
Good idea, got 1 for each side.
Not only will that let me equalize the flow, but I can turn 1 side off easily when the inevitable maintenance is needed.

update:

Plumbing is done (suspicious of leaks, its way bigger than my old version).
Hydroton is done.
Water is dirty, washing the hydroton got old after 2 buckets, it will dissipate over time though.
pH is 7.4, not bad for day 1.
Not monitoring nitrates/nitrites yet, just running the pump to monitor the plumbing and flow levels.
Next weekend (barring no mishaps), some sacrificial goldfish will go in to start cycling.