Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi

I have caught the aquaponics bug! My IBCs have arrived and I am currently digging a hole for my fish tank.

I am planning on digging my fish tank into a 1m hole. Then having a pump running directly to the grow beds, which will drain by gravity into a sump, which will also drain by gravity back into the fish tank.

This way I will have a compact 3 tower system, which would only need one pump.

Is my reasoning correct in this ? or will I encounter some disadvantages?

I hope to joing your community and cant wait to post some pictures of some my the work im doing.

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Is there any reason in particular you would like to add a sump?

Hi it...

I'd ask the same question, might need a diagram....

Welcome but asking the same question.

Good morning Tieger

Welcome to BYAP.You are joining a growing number of aquaponic enthusiasts in the UK and Eire, plus you get the best advice from the guys and gals worldwide.Wow.

Like the idea of a three tier system but as the others have asked, why the sump? If you are just pumping from the fish tank to the growbeds ,that should be enough unless you are thinking of growing something else in the "sump".

How about detailing your whole set-up. Are you incorporating cover for your plants, what type of fish and what plants do you intend growing? Lots of advice out there for you to tap into.

WD and OH

Hi gd morning or evening to all.

Correct me if im wrong but my understanding is that the sump acts a filter/settling tank so wastes dont recirculate? I am very new to this. I am still finalizing my plans, since this is a bit of backyard science at this moment I have about 50+ pieces of papers strewn about my house.

Another thought about my sump is that I am planning on adding to the sytem later. I want to be able to upgrade it when the cash becomes available.

Hey guys so I drew out my current plans. I am planning on having the fish tank almost completely submerged and the sump partially submerged while the grow beds will be on the top.

Make sure the fish tank is far enough out of the ground that it will not be contaminated by the heaviest rainfall.

What are the volumes of each of the components?

In theory the volumes are as follows. Fish tank = 650 - 700L. Sump = 550-600L. G1 = 250 to 300 L and G2= 350 to 400L.

I am planning to add another two grow beds in the not to distant future but first I want to get it started like this.

Before you go burying tanks and installing plumbing which is going to end up underground, do you have the real-estate to place the FT next to the GBs and only bury/lower the sump? If so, the "traditional" CHIFT PIST design might be less work and has less points of failure.

A drawing posted previously, for inspiration only...

So taking note of what you said. I should bury my sump and keep the fish tank above the grow beds? Like this I will still only utilise one pump while using gravity to get water from the fish tank to the grow beds?

Have I understood you brotha?

Yup.

Cool. Now to source the plumbing/piping and hopefully next week I can put up pics.

If you decided to go with CHIFT PIST, then Look up Solids Lifting Overflow aka SLO before you get your plumbing items. You'll probably want the gravity flow from your Fish Tank to be done via SLO. This will require larger pipe than what you will run from the pump located in the Sump Tank.