Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Everyone,

I am Dan.
I just recently moved from Canberra to Bywong and have decided to start a little Aquaponics system.
I have bought 3 IBC tanks that i am getting ready to cut open.
I was wondering if anyone in then area have any good piece of advice or maybe even be willing to let me have a look at their setup.

As of now, i do understand the basics and should be able to get small system started but am certainly no professional...

Anyways, I hope you are all doing well!

Cheers

Dan

Hey Dan , download this if you haven't already.. http://ibcofaquaponics.com/files/IBCofAquaponics.pdf

Hi!

And thanks for that, great piece of help.

Considering I am starting out with 3 tanks, what would be the best setup?

Cheers

Dan

Generally accepted basic guide lines for new to aquaponics

Same volume of "Wet Gravel" as your fish tank volume for adequate biofiltration

Pump big enough to "Turn over volume of fish tank"

So with losses to flow from pipe bends , head (height you pump UP)and other restrictions a fish tank of 1000L will need a pump of around 2000Lph good start is 3500Lph which leaves some for expansion / extra spray in tank for airation

Fish numbers based on wet gravel volume not fish tank size

25L of wet gravel per edible fish if your using little fish then best guess

Use some acceptable method to you to eliminate light through the sides of the tanks and growbeds , sheet plastic , pallet timber , corrugated sheet ect ect

The bigger the volume of water the more stable a system will be

So a good basic layout for your 3 IBCs would be one whole IBC for fish , one 2/3rds for sump , and three growbeds

This will be a good start , the skill in aquaponics revolves around keeping your water parameters as stable as possible and managing the plants in your growbeds

>> Considering I am starting out with 3 tanks, what would be the best setup?


this will help...... viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24235

Thanks!

I am still trying to wrap my head around everything and it is not all straight forward but i am sure i will work it out.
Damn, Darren the setup in the link is great. Not quite sure i would be able to build that on my first go.


All the help is much appreciated!

Dan

Hello again!

So, I have tied and followed everyone's advice and would like to ask a couple more questions before I make a mistake!

I have also attached some pictures (it is just the beginning..)

I have cut the first IBC down into one part that will be GB approx. 30cm deep, and the other bit that will be the sump.

Now before I cut down the second one into 2 parts (both grow beds), can I confirm that 30cm is a good depth or should I go more shallow? (usual 23cm?)

Then, how would you cut the 3rd tank that will be FT, just cut open the top of it?

And lastly, if anyone has any advice or pics re: plumbing, that would be really helpful.

(I.E: where do I put the pump, where is best to put siphon, maybe even a diagram?)


Thanks again for all the help and keep it coming!

Ummm, no pics.... A couple of stickied posts near the top here to help with pics.. viewforum.php?f=4

And yes, keep all your beds the same depth, 30cm is good, and just cutting the top out of the fish tank is good, you may only want to cut a section out of the top even, up to you.

Pics were too big...

Slow internet, they would not download last night so here we are!


I am doing some more cutting down today so would appreciate any help with a diagram or photos for the plumbing part!


Cheers

Looking good, a great start.

You will need a bit more support under the grow bed, there will be a lot of weight up there, 2 x solid planks or bars under the grow bed will do the job. No treated pine or galvanised bars, nothing that could leach back into the water.

It's painful finding out that it's all too heavy after you've got the grow bed full and need to empty it again.

Here's a small diagram to show the basics, if you need more info yell out

Hi Joblow,

The pic is misleading, the grow bed will not actually be sitting that way.
I am looking on doing something similar to http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... =1&t=24235
posted by dlf_perth previously.

Thanks

Hi Dan,

I was thrown by your photo, Dan the principle is still the same, only the pump will be in the sump rather than in the fish tank as shown in the diagram, plus your grow beds will drain back to the sump and not the fish tank.

Hey!

So, in this configuration:
The pump is in the sump and pushing water to the fish tank which is the overflowing and feeding the gravel beds that drain back into the sump.

Is that correct?

Dan

Correct.

That is the way most people setup their systems, it's called a CHIFT PIST System, (constant height in the fish tank - pump in the sump tank).

The water level in your fish tank stays constant and the water level in the sump fluctuates up and down with the grow beds filling and draining back into the sump.

Some people say it's better and less stressful for the fish not to have their water level fluctuating.

Hi Again,

And thanks for that!
I should be able to find a youtube video on how to do siphons and plumbing part..
One last question: with that setup, how big should the pump be ?

Cheers