Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Starting to build my backyard AP system, I scored a free patio off gum tree and thought i would put it to good use and make a stand for my ibc grow beds. Im planning to cap the top with some hard wood.

Haven't decided on a fish tank yet might just end up with a ibc if i cant find any round tanks.

I wouldn’t mind running one bed with gravel and one as raft, I’m reading a raft system needs filtration to remove solids before the water enters the raft bed. Can I filter the water through the gravel bed into the sump them pump some of the water to the raft bed. (Water from fish tank to gravel grow bed to sump the. Pumped 50/50 to raft and fish tank)

Do I need to run airstones in the raft bed ?

Yes and yes to both questions, although personally I think you would get better results by including an RFF and MBBF as well between your FT and sump, (especially as your fish get larger and produce more wastes). What GB material do you intend using?

Planning on using blue metal, easy to get.

Could do a rff filter with a blue barrel there’s a few places selling them cheap

OK. On the good side, there should be less dirt developing from the basalt, but it is also likely to be a bit alkaline, especially in the early stages (can actually be beneficial later as your bacteria drive down the pH).
Robbob has some good vids on building an RFF and his latest setup is very similar to what you have in mind.
Enjoy your build.

Couple Of update pics.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CG9xqtfYolUsireatUH7fi5ooq1JpJZx
https://drive.google.com/open?id=19ibxYfgP4lYB0kvR9XYGYenVbu80ezPaDg
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LF0jdTOCUOn4btKbBY4AL-2dXwvyPoAzdA

Neat