NANO!

JCF

nat wrote:

you sure did make us wait for our photos

srry there, life sometimes doesn't go as planned. But all is good now.

JCF

nat wrote:

maybe try a media guard its also not a good idea to put the GB inlet under the media

Your right. I was going to put in the media guard, but was afraid of algae growth due to light hitting the water. Which explains why the inlet is under gravel, I don't want too much algae growing and leaching the nutrients from the plants. But good point, I will have to see.

JCF

The plants are still looking healthy and green as can be. The fish are happy and eating really well. And what can I say about the water?! it is so clean!!! :thumbright:

This little system is amazing!

If you compare the debris in the swirl filter today, to the pics of the initial setup, you will see how well the filter actually works. All of that gunk would otherwise be in the grow-bed and slowly but surely would end up clogged like many others.

My nano swirl filter collects all the unwanted LARGE particles and the small tiny particles necessary to the grow-bed are delivered to the roots, then clean water back to the fish. Happy little cycle.

Check out these few pics I took earlier.

And please any questions, comments, concerns, request's, don't hesitate.

Happy Farming! :wave1:

- JCF -

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File comment: Clean healthy water :)

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File comment: My happy little plants and grow-bed :)

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File comment: Just look at all that debris already!

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Jislizard

Very nice!

I like the swirl filter. I had heard about them but I don't recall ever having seen one before, how do you empty out the waste, do you divert the water away from the filter or do you just have to do it quickly with a bucket underneath? Just thinking about having one indoors and what it would do to the carpets.

From the first description I thought it was going to look like an all in one piece, similar to the balcony kits.

So was this all worked out on paper first, growbed:fishtank etc. or done by eye?

Would you supply a cover over the fish tank to prevent algae growth? I would see this as a "just add water" solution (and fish of course). So everything would be included and I could give one to my Mum with a packet of seeds and she wouldn't have to do anything else except feed the fish when it has cycled.

If I asked her to make a lid for it I just know the whole thing would be planted out with Geraniums next time I came to visit, fish tank and swirl filter as well.

JCF

Jislizard wrote:

Very nice!

I like the swirl filter. I had heard about them but I don't recall ever having seen one before, how do you empty out the waste, do you divert the water away from the filter or do you just have to do it quickly with a bucket underneath? Just thinking about having one indoors and what it would do to the carpets.

Hi Jislizard, Thanks for stopping by and for the comments. I would love to answer all of your questions, lets start with my favorite, the nano swirl filter.
Again thank you for your kind words, I like my little filter as-well

To empty/clean the filter you simply unplug the pump, place a bucket/container under the filter, and open the valve, just as you mentioned. And of course you can divert it away with a hose of appropriate size. Then refill the filter and plug in again. Simple.
The waste water can be used as soil fertilizer or discarded. Some folks toss it into their compost. Whatever you wish.

From the first description I thought it was going to look like an all in one piece, similar to the balcony kits.

This is where my idea began months ago :think:

I have a "large" size aquaponic's setup in my backyard and started researching small/nano systems. There must be plenty of people who cant/don't know how to build their own, components, pumps, etc... The closest I came to an actual "nano system" was a "patio kit" or home made systems that consisted of an actual fish tank and plants on top with a light. Not really a "kit." And "patio kits" are pretty big, not apartment/indoors friendly, and wont fall below $1000.

So was this all worked out on paper first, growbed:fishtank etc. or done by eye?

Since I work fabricating LARGE commercial systems everyday, I started to research and draw out plans for an ACTUAL kit that is of nano size. Something anyone can just plug in and instantly start a tiny ecosystem. Anywhere :flower:

I would have to say that my experience fabricating/laminating contributes to most of my designs and to answer your question, then yes, some paper but mostly by eye and thought.

Would you supply a cover over the fish tank to prevent algae growth? I would see this as a "just add water" solution (and fish of course). So everything would be included and I could give one to my Mum with a packet of seeds and she wouldn't have to do anything else except feed the fish when it has cycled.

O yes! of course

I am a big fan of covers, this model is my "beta" if you will. I will be finished with an actual indoor setup next week, so keep an eye out.

I love how you include your family in your life and activities, that's one of the reasons I designed my system to be easy to operate. It is a "plug-n-play" system that ANYONE can have. And yes, all hardware will be included. Just add water, fish, and grow media.

If I asked her to make a lid for it I just know the whole thing would be planted out with Geraniums next time I came to visit, fish tank and swirl filter as well.

Haha, awesome :thumbright:

That would be nice to see!

Please, if you have any other questions or comments, don't hesitate

Happy Farming! :wave1:

- JCF -

Ronmaggi

I am curious how the same setup WITHOUT the swirl filter would compete. I know you love it, but some of us do not want the extra filter and want all of the fish waste in the grow beds and let composting worms prevent clogging. Also, I bet an air lift pump would be worth trying. Might be able to lower the electricity bill further.

JCF

Ronmaggi wrote:

I am curious how the same setup WITHOUT the swirl filter would compete. I know you love it, but some of us do not want the extra filter and want all of the fish waste in the grow beds and let composting worms prevent clogging. Also, I bet an air lift pump would be worth trying. Might be able to lower the electricity bill further.

Hi Ronmaggi,

Thanks for stopping by

The system will definitely work WITHOUT the filter, worms are really great, I just enjoy filter systems in general and adapted one. A little help never hurts and too many worms in this nano setup would be pretty rough. Like mentioned on my previous post, these tanks are all separate, but I combined them to make the system (JCF Nano 001A)

My original design did in fact have an airlift. The problem was the i.d. of the tubing, an air pump to powerful would be overkill, too weak and no go. It would have to be a specific pump. I tried a regulator valve and it caused the pump to heat up due to back pressure and over working, and I was afraid the check valve would fail eventually, the pump also got louder when I used the regulator valve. BUT without the swirl filter, it would work if you wish.

I decided to go with the pump because it is really small, powerful, adjustable, and really quiet. Plus it is much simpler for anyone who wants to farm to operate the little pump.

Thanks again for stopping by,

Happy Farming! :wave1:

- JCF -

JCF

Finally have the measurements! :-P

Fish Tank = 23 Gallons (87 liters)

Inside diameter - 20.5 inches > 20 inches (508 mm)

Height - 17 inches (431 mm)

Swirl Filter = 2.82 Gallons > 2.5 Gallons (9.4 liters)

Inside diameter - 8.5 inches > 8 inches (203 mm)

Height - 13 inches (330 mm)

Grow-Bed = 8 Gallons (30 liters)

Inside diameter - 21.5 inches (546 mm)

Height - 5 inches (127 mm)

Happy Farming! :wave1:

- JCF -

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