Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this forum and to aquaponics. I have a few questions in my desinging of my system.

Here are my specific of my system. I have split a 275 gal IBC into a tank and a grow bed from the top 40 x 48 x 10 to 12 inches tall. I also have a NFT system that is 7 ft long with 5 rows of tubes mounted horizontally, also using a RFF, and no sump. The fish tank will be lower than both the grow bed, NFT, and RFF. Pumping directly from fish tank and draining back into fish tank. My pump is capable of 24 liters per minute with aa miters of head height. Grow bed is approx. 36in. above tank and my inlet of NFT system is 46" above tank.

Question 1.
Can some help me with the size of plumbing. I was thinking of using 1" & 3/4" pvc. Is this adequate for my system. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Qeustion 2.
Is my pump strong enough?

I have a similar set up. only smaller.

I use a fountain pump to move water from my sump to the NFTs that drain to the beds.

from the pump to the NFT that is 3/4 inch pvc. From the 3 inch NFT drain to grow beds is a 1 1/4 inch pipe.

I guess you have to watch how much water you pump from the fish tank to avoid big swings in water levels.

I keep smaller fish in my 50 gal sump. about 20 gal is "absorbed" by the NFT and grow beds during the cycle and then sump fills again after the cycle ends.