Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi MrG,
Granbury is about 30 miles SW of FW. This fall we plan to build a greenhouse around the bigger system we are just about to start on. Haven't really decided how to heat the water, but think that heating the water will heat the greenhouse when needed. I'm sure we'll be in for surprises.

How long does it take to get the bluegill to eating size? That's what we will use to get the bigger system cycled also. Granbury has a lake and we have relatives on the water, so getting perch will be easy and maybe a few channel cats.

After reading janet's threads, I really want to breed fish. I have always loved keeping fish in aquariums and now I feel like I've found my life's calling! Can hardly wait to get started on the next system, then the nurseries!

Part of the reason I have not been on the forum lately is that I was in the US on Vacation, more specifically I was in Sweetwater, west of Abilene. While there I installed an AP system in the back yard of my In-laws house. I used two 140 Gallon Cattle water tanks that are buried in ground and joined with a 1" pipe so the level remains the same in each tank. For a grow bed, My father in law had a cattle water tank that was fiberglass and 8' in diameter. A recent tornado had picked it up and thrown it around abit so only the bottom 12 inches were good which was perfect for our purposes.

We washed 18 tons of pea gravel and started the pump on May 15 and the water is clear and all is going well. Yesterday he put 25 channel cat in the system and is feeding lightly while the water cycles. I am back in El Salvador but call my father-in-law daily to see how things are going. He plans to add 25 bluegill once the system has cycled.

I am sure that if you want to take a drive to West Texas, he would be happy to show you what I have built and would love to hear about your experiences. If you are interested, PM me and we will see what can be arranged.

By the way. If you have a TSC in your area, the place is a godsend for AP materials.

18 tonnes??

System #2 started today with a trip to TSC for a 300g rubbermaid tank and then a stop for 1 ton of pea gravel. My hubby gets barrels free, so they will be the growbeds.

18 tons does sound like a lot

I am still feeling it! It is a lot of gravel. but we found a place for all of it and it was not too hard to work with. In all honesty, we scooped it in a front loader and just turned the hose on it, let it drain and dumped it in the tank. It took about 3 days for the water to clear but it is all good now. I am glad it is over.

A ton of gravel is less than a cubic yard generally. So one ton of gravel would not fill a grow bed that is 1 foot deep by 3 foot wide by 9 foot long.

Yep I found that out. I needed 6 yards and a little extra to have on hand so it added up very quickly.

dgrdalton:
If you make it out to Sweetwater, take your camera..... I didn't have mine with me when I built it and would like to have some pics if you don't mind.

I am especially proud of the auto siphon I have designed. It works like a champ and would like to share it on the forum. I may just have to make one to show off.

System #2 got started today and came to a sudden halt.

We live at the end of a cul de sac in the country on 2.5 acres. Had the water company at least twice to mark lines and they never told us there is a water main running across our back acre. We're still waiting for someone to get back to us about stopping the water.

My husband needed a break!

Save the water. It is unmetered. I hope!

Please post the water to Australia ,, we need it:)

Start throwing gravel at it

It's been almost an hour now and the water company finally called us back. They didn't know a pipe was there either.

The waste is what hurts. AP is all about saving water. Wish the FT was in place and being filled.

Well at least the digging should be easier.

Water man just came (3.5 hours after the pipe break.) He saw the starter AP system and was really interested. Said he thinks he might be able to use the idea in the waste water treatment plant. Not overly concerned about the water leak.

Set back for system#2 as we will have to wait for the soil to dry out some. Husband gets memorial day off . . . must think of 'honey do list' for inside.

Weelll ... if they have to dig holes to repair the pipe.... they might as well dig holes for your tank/sump while they're there