Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

As you can guess i'm from Central Fl, and an Aquaponics newbie. Been working on a small-ish system for a while now, but have been prompted to 'hurry up and get it finished'.

Plan is for an 8ft x 4ft x 4ft fish tank, 2ft x12ft x 10 (or 12) inch gravel bed and 2ft x10ft x 10 (or 12) inch DWC bed. Below each bed there will be a sump tank with the same outer dimensions and approximately the same depth. All beds are likely to be 'constant flow' as i'd like to include a couple of 4" NFT pipes too.

Have been watching videos on YouTube the last while getting ideas, pointers and tips.

Have a few pics of 'early [slow] progress' that i'll post at some point.

Fish tank will be plywood with liner (most likely), but i've seen a few posts with plywood tanks painted with sealer... i just wonder how successful and durable they have turned out to be. The latter would fit nicely with my 'want' of a 'viewing window' for the kids to watch the fish.

Looking forward to some 'helping hands', and pointers for the journey...

Hello Central.

YouTube offers a lot to watch, Rob Bob's Backyard, Killian Family Homestead, Colum Black-Byron, SSL Family, and Bigelow Brook Farm come to mind; however, I did get tired of the videos that were nothing more than other youtube videos stitched together.

Yup. I've been watching Rob Bob's Backyard, Colum Black-Byron and Bigelow Brook Farm for the most part.

Some images of the build in progress...

Some more pics...


I'm having 2nd thoughts about having 'split sumps' beneath each bed. The drop from the SLO will only be 2-3 inches and i have to link the 2 sumps together to 'self level' and circulate the water. Pipes will have to cross the walkway, meaning we'd have to step over them or alternately i'll have to build a platform and have them beneath.

There's also the possibility that i just bury an IBC outside and drain both beds there. Seems like it may be a better and simpler option. Thoughts?

Short bed (8Ft) on the south side will be DWC, the long (10Ft) on the north side will be the media bed.

Have thought of putting 2 NFT channels over the short bed also. Maybe later.

Gap between the bed and fish tank is for a 55 Gallon RFF.