Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Wow - in 33 degree hot windy heat we built a massive system in the backyard. I'll have to recaculate the system capacity as the poor designated diggers got too exhausted at about 60 cm depth ( I was asking for 90!).

We are all covered in scratches, blood blisters, sunburn etc but I am extremely pleased. The best moment of the weekend was when we arrnaged the grow beds up above the pond for the first time - it was so cool and just as i had imagined - i'm gong for a 'hanging gardens of babylon" look hopefully with plants draped down over the pond- i took heaps of photos so i promise to post them - but still being told that i cant post in members systems as I need special members access. Anyway I'll just post them here.
I used PVC primer and pipe glue instead of silicon for the drains - this is because two seperate hardware shopkeepers told me to. Aside from the glue being blue instead of clear, are there any problems with this approach that I'm not aware of?
Cheers
Aeon.

Congratulations!

The only thing with using the blue glue is that it is permanent... if you make any mistakes, you have to cut the joins out and put in new ones. If you use silicon it is easily removed and you can make any changes you need to. But of course THERE WILL BE NO MISTAKES!!!

Have fun, I'm looking forward to the pics!

sounds like a load of work and a good kind of tired!
Great news and looking forward to the pics soon

Great work aeon, looking forward to pictures



not mistakes only potential improvements

Thats great!!

I really look forward to seeing the pics.

(oh and even though "There will be no mistakes" i got shown a trick where you can remove the glued in pvc from the joiner/T piece if you need it...)

ooh share!

My trick is to cut the joiner out (can't avoid this) then coat the inside of the joiner where the pipe is glued with pipe cement, light it with a match (calm down Steve ) and while it burns, slowly prise the offending plastic pipe out of the t piece or elbow. You may need to repeat the procedure a couple of times, but it saves the joiner from the bin!

I've seen and done something similar, long, long ago

would a heat gun not work too?

prolly

except you only want the offending bit of pipe to melt, and it only melts while the glue is on fire

steve is going to be SO excited to read this!
You will have made his day Monya!

Yep, thats the one stu. When i was shown it, i was told it shouldn't be used again under much pressure....Just to be safe

The only concern I have with the glue is its toxicity. I work with pvc pipe all the time. There is a white or clear glue that is just for potable (Drinking water) pipes and is non toxic. I believe the blue or green glues are toxic

Aussieponic

Good work Aeon!! Great to hear about another system up and running!!