Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well - finally started my system after about 2 months of research

It is a CHOP system with a 900 litre FT, a 500 litre ST, 2 X 300 litre GB's (more coming soon) and a 6000 ltr hr Sub pump. I have used 20 mm pipe out of the pump and set up a "tee" piece and valve to bleed off any extra and allow some aeration. Out of the ST it goes to 25 mm with another tap and feeds into the top of the FT. Havent done the aeration, GT end or the siphons yet, thats Saturdays job. Just tested PH and its on about 6.3 as a base. Water temp is sitting on 15.3

Ive measured the height from the sump to the top, and its about 2150mm - would like it lower and hoping my estimated 3000 litres per hr at the top will be enough?

More pics to follow

last couple of pics

Welcome any thoughts, comments etc

More to follow on the inlets, siphons etc on the weekend

Should be ok, but why is the sump so low? That bucket could almost sit at ground level.

Looks good Erich
My only comment would be to use 25 mm or preferably 38mm pipe for your outlets
one, for less frictional loss and secondly, once you have the bug you will probably want to expand the system.
Look forward to seeing the progress

CHOP system - sump has to be lower than the GB's. The ST is 83 cm high (500 litres) so it needed to go under.

However - as the GBs are a fixed 500 mm of the ground, I will build up the Bell Siphons and 40 mm outlet pipes and lift the ST up to meet the outlets more so its not so deep - doesnt need the large fall it has now. I recon I can also remove a brick height from the FT as well (alter the outlet angle from the FT) - so this should drop the overalL height by maybe 300 - 400 mm (so a total head of approx 1.7 - 1.9 and not 2150)

Inlets from the pump to FT are 20mm out of the pump then 0.5 m after, converts to 25 to the FT

The outlet is 90mm from the FT to allow for further expansion. It will be throttled down to 40 mm pipe as a GT feed. SP will be 40mm also (as well as the return to sump), Bell Siphon will be 75mm bell + cap and 100mm shroud. Thats the plan for tomorrow

[quote="Erich... - so this should drop the overalL height by maybe 300 - 400 mm (so a total head of approx 1.7 - 1.9 and not 2150) [/quote]

Was what I was meaning

lol - must have been sleeping

Building the siphons shortly, then will run the overflow to the sump and lift the ST up accordingly a bit

So how is your system going Erich?? Looking at doing similiar. Photos??

Went great however i got the bug, and its changed and about to triple in size

Nice.... Any new pics???? Any issues with the old system that needed rectifying

nope sorry - just sold 1 system, have a single IBC system someone wants me to build and only have my CHOP2 system running on Seasol cos i harvested the last 46 trout last weekend.

Ive started with my new system taking pics - a 2000 litre FT with 3000 litre GB CF system in a greenhouse.