Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Seasons greetings!

I have had my IBC delivered and am looking forward to picking up some advice and skills in this endeavour.

I see there are quite a few resources and experience in the district , i will do my homework before pestering you all with questions but am keen to find out whats working in this neck of the woods - no point in making mistakes that can be avoided!

Looking forward to getting to know you all.


R

Welcome and merry Christmas ravenstone. Plenty of people around Bunbury with AP systems who are happy to help. Make sure you read the IBC of aquaponics which will answer lots of questions


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Merry Xmas to everyone and welcome Ravenstone

Thanks rocketrod and bender, your systems look fantastic.

I have eaten more in two days than one person should be allowed to eat in a month, so I need to get into this and expend some energy.

Also i have some hardware vouchers to spend on plumbing so the timing is right. My head is spinning with flood and drain, trickle, constant flood - you peeps are acronym crazy! I hope there is a decoding page somewhere here...

Back to the IBC of AP, TTFN.....

Lol ye mate head spinning toss and turn in your sleep thinking about building a system is all the norm you will soon pick up the aquaponics language once you have an idea just start posting and ppl will be happy to help good luck:)

Thanks RocketRod

my first question is about suppliers in the Bunbury area?

Where can I be spending my AP dollar locally?

Some large chain hardware store or the local irrigation shop?

I will be heading up to BYAP ASAP but i also like to support local business too.

Cheers,

Ravenstone

Merry Xmas all. Interesting point on hardware....

I get my retic from Terweys Hardware in Cannington and pay 50c to $1.50 for
various 15mm, 20mm and 25mm PVC bits and $1.00-$2.50 for black platsic retic fittings.


I find Bunnings are very expensive for retic bits - want $1.50 just for basic caps etc,
and $2-$3 for T's etc. So worth shopping around for a good retic supplier as AP
ends up involving lots of bits and mods. And look for bulk once you figure out what you need.

eg. take your own hacksaw and buy 6m pipe lengths..... major saving.

I note that some specialist pond and plumbing fittings are very pricey,
and often not necessary - despite what the retic/pond people might tell you
(eg. Hansen products are good but pricey compared to basic PVC mods).



A great suggestion elsewhere is to get a tap and die set.
[ Have not tried that myself but will do so shortly - can save on threaded T's if it works]


+1 for BYAP guys.

You could try think water in denning road

Hey thanks fellas - i am trying to read all i can and get something started and I will be making a trip up to BYAP asap - i think they are open this saturday.

I have 3xIBC to hack up

On the system design I am thinking to separate the GB from the FT so i can have fish in the shade and plants in the sun -I thought to put 2x19mm poly retic pipes underground between the two for water transfer.

if these parts are separated by 6m or so will that pose any particular problems in anyones experience?

Cheers.

Personally I would tend to stay with white PVC pipes (15mm, 20mm or 25mm depending on pump and flow rates) rather than 19mm black polypipe. Same sort of issue pops up with garden retic all the time - seem to get better result with PVC.

poly heats up easily, but you are burying it so probably OK.
Not so good with pressure but I suspect that is not an issue here.

There is a lot more energy loss with the 19mm fittings as connectors are inside
(so you get diameter reductions at all joins) while PVC are outside (so flow diameter maintained).
These can also creates blockage points if you have solids etc.

Really comes back to your pump and flow rates.

End of day probably wont be critical - test flow rate over desired length before you commit and try and minimise connectors used.

PVC vs Poly is bigger in the outflow / GB delivery. I replaced a IBC system that used 19mm black poly that kept blocking up. PVC is much smoother flow and cleaner drilled holes.

Thanks for your feedback Darren,

I already have the poly lying around so ill give it a go - pvc seems so permanent!

I am using pvc in the GB so I will try to make only one join and use curves instead of corners to reduce drag.

Today I had a great tour of RocketRods backyard and he has me all fired up!

Thanks heaps Rod for all your advice and information today - you're a champ.

I loved his marron setup and have been offered a few marron myself so will be trying that as a sideline.

Going to keep it very simple at first though - my problem is always biting off too much too early...

I appreciate meeting such a nice community and look forward to sharing my experiences and learning from the experts

Off to BYAP tomorrow to blow some dough

That has the important bits covered. The problem with the 19mm as above is that things can get caught where the connectors are. No connectors - less issues.

guess so for PVC - but in AP you dont usually need to glue (unless running a larger pump or flow rate).


also meant tpo add to previous - keep in mind that one of your legs will presumably be gravity (head) driven.
ie. one will be pumped but one will not, depending on which end you put your pump and the relative heights between your FT water level and the GB. So need to factor that in if your GB and FT are separated by a distance.