Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello,

My name is Keegun. I am new to aquaponics and am planning to build my first system in a couple of months.
This system will be in a greenhouse. It will be continuous flow. I was wondering if anyone had any tips before I
get started on construction? Also I am curious if my sump tank is large enough for this system. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Keegun

Hi Keegun, welcome to the forum

If you're doing Constant Flood then the sump will be big enough otherwise I'm not sure.

I was considering using Bell Siphons on the media beds but wasn't sure if that was a good idea.

The bell siphons will cause fluctuations in the sump level and while it probably would be large enough you'd have to make certain to top it up regularly because there's not much leeway if all three grow beds are filled at the same time. You can figure out how much water will drain if you have some of your media. Just use a bucket full to figure how much of the volume is water and how much is your media. Figure about one or two inches won't drain and will remain in the bed. Based on that you'll have a pretty good idea. If I remember right it's usually around 40% but it's been awhile - someone else here probably remembers and will tell you though .

My recollection is it's about 35 - 40%. 35% of the container volume because you don't fill gravel right to the top, you don't fill water to the top of the media, so you're only filling the GBs partially, they don't drain completely, and the media takes 60% of the space.

I think your two GB's will only need 50 gallons apiece to fill, so a 275 sump is great.

_________________
800 gal sys 2016
IBC system 1/2015
simple flood & drain
5 growbeds

9 kW Solar Electric 2011

"Aquaponics...solar-powered nanotechnology that produces fresh vegetables and meat, while purifying water..." - Rick Op, Houston Texas.

There you go . I didn't notice that 2 of the beds are DWC which won't fluctuate so you've got plenty of volume in the sump, it's only going to fluctuate around 100 gallons out of the 275. I was thinking the third bed wasn't DWC (don't know how I got that idea ) and you'd be looking at closer to a 200 gallon fluctuation.

By the way, if you ever want to expand your system and add grow beds just add Constant Flood grow beds and the sump should still be OK (might need a bigger pump though).

I like your plans.

You are ambitious. my little project takes enough time. can't imagine the work ahead on your scale.

Look forward to seeing this build.

_________________
Manny Piceno

ap beginner.

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=28259

Thank you everyone for the info. I am sure I will have more questions as I go. I just purchased the fish tanks and sump. I still have alot of work to do on the greenhouse to get it functional. I will be sure to post as progress is made.

Hey everyone just wanted to give a little update. Here are some before photos of the greenhouse that I decided to revive.


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And here are the after. Now it's time to start building the grow beds and do all of the plumbing

And here are the after. Hopefully getting it plumbed and grow beds built over the winter and start running next spring.


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Rebuild? What did you keep, the air inside? Looks great - a lot of work!

_________________
800 gal sys 2016
IBC system 1/2015
simple flood & drain
5 growbeds

9 kW Solar Electric 2011

"Aquaponics...solar-powered nanotechnology that produces fresh vegetables and meat, while purifying water..." - Rick Op, Houston Texas.

Hello all. Little update from the weekend. Got the sump set and the piping roughed in. Sure glad I don't run a shovel for a living! I feel like I am getting addicted to aquaponics because I passed up my other passion hunting in order to dig while the weather is good. More updates to come...


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Looks good Keegun. What are the dimensions of the house? Looks like it might be 20ft wide? whats the length?

_________________
Rob
My greenhouse / aquaponics adventure
My DIY PVC Hoop House

Yes it's 20' wide 30' long.


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I just built myself a 16x40 so roughly the same square footage. Not planning on AP being incorporated in that hoophouse though so I'm a whee jealous of yours already.

_________________
Rob
My greenhouse / aquaponics adventure
My DIY PVC Hoop House