Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey all! Im planning to set up a CHIFT PIST system now that im hooked Been playing with a few smaller systems and have decided to upsize .
Im thinking of using one of these tanks (2500L):
.
The top will be cut off but easily replaced for shade. Ill use 4 BYAP growbeds, and one of these extra large beds as a sump lined with pond liner (~2000L):


Here is a quick drawing of the system layout. The sump and tank will be slightly buried.



Im just wondering what pond liner I should use? The good rubber stuff will cost me about $500 just to line the sump! Im worried that the cheaper pvc liner wont hold up in the long run- much cheaper tho.

How much are those tanks?? 2500L ones??

Well I am not a fan of rework, so I would say go with the more reliable and durable option. Maybe you could consider a plastic sump tank option... or I think there is an aqua paint/coating for corrugated tanks...

Tanks are from WApoly tanks. Apparently you can get them from Bunnings for $737 (havent seen them), or $782 delivered from the warehouse (for the 2500L). Im going to get it delivered and also pay a bit extra to get the top cut and trimmed so the lid can sit back on neatly.
The sump is a bottomless corrogated iron raised garden bed. I chose it orginally to use it as a garden bed but then I thought I could dig it halfway in and then be able to shape the bottom of the tank and line it. The largest is $299 delivered (from here, so if I can line it for under $200 it would be a neat 2000L sump that doesnt require too much digging. Havent seen a plastic option for that price.

Hmm after doing a bit of research I think it might be better and easier in the long run if I just fork out a bit more for a plastic sump as you said ivan . After much deliberation I found pond liners aren't cheap and if they are they wont last long . The durable rubber one in the size I need is $103/m and id need 5m to properly fit it. The liner and corrugated growbed would end up costing me more than the price of a 2000L plastic tank, plus id have to muck around fitting it!

I was also wondering what I should do about growbed media. I would like to have the top half expanded clay (easier to work in) and the bottom half something cheaper like these pebbles which are $20 for 15kg bags (not sure how many id need to fill half a 500L growbed?).

in my opinion if you can afford a trailer load of pea gravel it works just as well as expanded clay.. $80 for 3 scoops from soils aint soils plus if you go on tues you get a discount

forgot to mention that 3 scoops will fill about 600L of grow bed

Thanks japris! I think ill go 60% pea gravel 40% clay as in MDP's system.

I have 2/3rd gravel, and 1/3rd hydroton. I have one growbed that is plain gravel, and it is a pain in the ass to plant stuff into.

Yes, go for the part pea gravel part hydroton option.

IMO, Hydroton (clay) option is too light for tallish plants... strong winds can easily uproot them... or at least blow them out from their positions.

When I expand my system, I will modify my current one to be part pea gravel part hydroton as well.

If you are getting them direct from the manufacturer... and you do not need the tops (lids), I remember someone said before that some manufacturers will sell you defect tanks... (ie their tops are not well formed so they are rejects...)
Since you need the tops cut off anyway, it does not matter... of coz if the tank itself is not well formed that it would not be a good idea..

Here's a pic of my little herb system I made recently. Got bored and decided to play around with a chift pist system and loop syphon. You learn a lot more actually making the systems than reading about them I originally had it on a timer but after playing around with the flow I have got it running continuiously flooding and draining. There are 10 goldies in there to keep it going. Got a mixture of plants along with a water lilly in the sump, and a bit of duckweed floating in the FT.

Nice little system Mick... and yep, there's nothing like rolling uo the sleeves and doing it...

Continuous pumping is best with Chift Pist and siphons...

Been busy over the last few days pulling up half the pavers to make way for grass and aquaponics! Ended up going with corrugated sump with pond liner option. Dug it in pretty much the whole way so that the growbeds could just sit on top of a few pavers (had a truckload spare) just off the ground. Saved making/buying stands. Still waiting on fish tank and have to buy pipework and pump then im ready to go. Here's a few pics:

Looks like he's helping but really he just added a little something to the hole...


Happy fish and lilly upgrading from 50L to 2000L


Finished fitting growbeds and sump

Very nice, thats the way to do it

Nice and tidy, well done