Backyard Aquaponics
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Hey AP Im from Perth
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=9219		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Trevponics [ Mar 7th, '11, 14:01 ]
Post subject:  Hey AP Im from Perth
Im new here my name is Trev I live in spearwood west Aussie. Ive been lurking for a while gathering info and now ready to give it a go. I was thinking about buying this (Below sorry bout the photo size) Budget aquapod from http://www.simplelifesolutions.com.au/aquaponics.html

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$578 just to get me started and learning hands on because Im working a lot at the moment Im impatient and I can expand the setup to more grow beds and perhaps include a sump for yabbies and marron? Is this a good Idea. It seems to be continuous flow so I would have to change it to a Flood and Drain or a CHIFT PIST to accommidate a sump?. Im thinking about trying trout for my first attempt in perth winter is this wise? (I do have me heart set on trout).
Any advice on simple IBC setups? I just wanna get started Grrrrrrrr bloody job.
oh and my philosiphy dream and reason to be here is "To gain more independence from a flawed system of living/feeding ourselves, reduce my impact on the environment, fresh healthy and happy food." Also nice talking point over BBQs with visitors Ill be pretty proud scooping up a trout for my hot smoker plucking herbs and salad necking back a fine bottle of wine Inspiring others to give it a go. This is where the future is at its in all our backyards.
Cheers

Ill throw some photos up when I get going
Author:  earthbound [ Mar 7th, '11, 14:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Howdy Trev, :wave1: I had to resize your pictures, even with a wide screen I had to scroll to see them.

Personally if I was you, I'd have a look at some of the IBC systems on here then make your own, there are a few aspects of that system that I think are pretty poor, and if you buy one you'll have to live with it or change it. Firstly the fish, how do you get to the fish? Secondly I think you'd want to redo the pipework that comes with it, you don't want to squirt water over the top of the gravel. Thirdly, the drain point. You're going to end up with roots clogging that little white pipe and you can get your hand in there to clean them out.

Perhaps we need to start a thread on IBC systems so that people can easily see different ways that it can be done and pick up the best design features quickly...
Author:  freoboy [ Mar 7th, '11, 15:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
earthbound wrote:
Howdy Trev, :wave1: I had to resize your pictures, even with a wide screen I had to scroll to see them.

Personally if I was you, I'd have a look at some of the IBC systems on here then make your own, there are a few aspects of that system that I think are pretty poor, and if you buy one you'll have to live with it or change it. Firstly the fish, how do you get to the fish? Secondly I think you'd want to redo the pipework that comes with it, you don't want to squirt water over the top of the gravel. Thirdly, the drain point. You're going to end up with roots clogging that little white pipe and you can get your hand in there to clean them out.

Perhaps we need to start a thread on IBC systems so that people can easily see different ways that it can be done and pick up the best design features quickly...


these are some very legitemate points trev, i have looked at these systems before :)
check out my freo system for some IBC hints/ what not to do's etc (in signature)

hey spearwood? im moving there soon :wave:
could be a shortage in IBCs in that area i think haha :)
in terms of saving time, buying a system like this will only save a day or 2 of assembly, its the cycling of the tank that is the issue and time-consumer, up to 3 months.
trout arre a definate go for winter this year :) or silver perch if you cant get your hands on trout. good luck
!
Author:  Trevponics [ Mar 7th, '11, 16:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
:wave1: Thanks for the resize and info earthbound. Thanks freo boy I am checking your posts now lotta great info your setup is kinda what Im aiming for right now.. I would def.. take the growbed off the top and put it on a stand beside and above add another GB altogether, put another shroud on the drain, consider burying the FT say 50cm depending if I use the continuous flow or not. As for setting up cost my work at the moment is crazy 12 hours a day so I dont mind paying now to have something I can improve later. Can I just bury the existing pipe work on the GB?
Author:  freoboy [ Mar 7th, '11, 16:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
also another thought trwev if you look thru my thread youll see that my GB was no where near big enough for the fish i had in it, an its the same size as yours. you coud use that oneyou want to buy and add some more GBs like i did :dontknow:

yeh you can just put the pipe ontop of the media to stop splashing
also you dent neceserally need a sump unless your GB:Ft ration is above 1:1
Author:  Zman [ Mar 7th, '11, 16:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Hey Trevponics,

Your probably better off getting the system from BYAP. Main problem with the setup you listed is access to the FT. I have this problem at the moment. If i had to do it again i would save the time / effort and just buy a GB and FT from BYAP

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/shop. ... egory_id=8

Now if i only had a way of convincing the wife to let me buy it :upset:
Author:  Trevponics [ Mar 7th, '11, 17:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Quote:
James, Setting your own way is tricky and time consuming, to say the least. lots of farting around and chin scratching . . im sure many people on here will agree . .
BYAP systems are great, easy to set up, all components are there and you can set em up in a matter of hours, however you do not get the same feeling of satisfaction of setting up your own system. if you are short on time, and have the money, get a BYAP system. i would seriously reccomend atleast using their GB's, if i could id be up there this arvo getting a couple of em, their all food grade plastic, can have ready made stands and give you and excellent planting area/ volume ratio. quite often with home made GB's you lose out on planting area tryign to get the volume.

IBC's make excellent FT's and ST's. they are nice and tall, and have a reletavely small footprint for a 1000lt tank. you can also join em together for larger tanks.

If i did it again, and i will when i can afford it, i will use a combination of IBC fish tanks and BYAP GB's.

if your looking at what system you wan tto use, i personally would go a flood and drain CHIFTPIST system. that way you never run the risk of pumping out your FT (which i have done . . .twice :oops: ) and you dont need to fiddle around with auto-siphons.


Some great advice from you freo in your thread! Perhaps better Idea to buy IBC myself get plumbing, GBs pumps, advice ect.. from BYAP $365 for the 2.2 x1.x 2.30 GB not really sure of the entire cost to setup like that.
Author:  freoboy [ Mar 7th, '11, 18:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
yeh those BYAP gbs are great, my GF has one in her system, the best volume:surface area ratio

well lets to the math for a small started system, for 20 trout.
1x IBC - 150 (MAX, more like 100 - infact i think theres some advertised atm, ill have a looksee in a tick)
1x BYAP GB - 365
GB stabnd, BYAP one is 400ish, great, neat little job. or you could put your owb together for 100

gravel, 35 buchs for 0.5 cubic m of peagravle

pump, say 200 bucks all up inc. air pump
plumbing, 50 bucks if you dont waste anyhting

so youve got a system for $850 that will let you grow more fish and has much more filtration than the one you were looking to buy.

if you did it this way you could also get a small 200L blue barrel (probs for free if your ask nicely on the forum :) ) and use it as a sump, tho that might be a bit small. then run it a CHIFT PIST system

or for a extra 200ish BYAP do a budget system. everything but the stand i think???
this is waht my GF got, plus a BYAP stand, and it is a real neat little system that produces well
Author:  Trevponics [ Mar 7th, '11, 19:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Grand advice bro. :thumbright: Looks like the thing to do (IBC and BYAP components) with CHIFT PIST. As soon as I have time off work Ill roll back down to byap. The CHIFT PIST system uses a bell siphon?
Quote:
This system was run with a timer on the pump and a restricted outlet on the drain, this allowed for a flooding and draining action in the grow bed.
do you have some info diagrams on how the Grow bed flooding and draining works?
Cheers
Author:  freoboy [ Mar 7th, '11, 19:31 ]
Post subject:  Hey AP Im from Perth
Not sure on the exacts, but I dont think you need a siphon, theres a chift pist at BYAP, check it out when your there:)
Author:  earthbound [ Mar 8th, '11, 13:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
You after a job FB? :laughing3:
Author:  freoboy [ Mar 8th, '11, 18:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
sure, wanna pay me commission in fishtanks :D
i say what i mean tho :thumbleft:
Author:  Wal [ Mar 8th, '11, 19:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Hi Trev

I'm a DIY AP'er with a two IBC system. Check out the link below my reply.

Personally I really enjoyed setting up our system. It's a great feeling when something you have designed and built works... And it's even better when you start to see the fish and plants flourishing.

DIY systems are not cheap but living in Perth you should be able to shop around and get yourself some deals.

The BYAP systems are also brilliant. They are neat and tidy and will have you up and running from the word go. The folks there are also very helpful and are willing to assist anyone with an interest.

So I guess what I am saying is it's "horses for courses" and I know that what ever route you choose you will have great fun.

So sit back and enjoy the AP journey.

Cheers Wal
Author:  netab32 [ Mar 8th, '11, 21:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Hi Trev,

I think you will end up quite disappointed with that system if you bought it... seems very impractical and a bit expensive for what it is... and it may only be the photos, but how the heck are you supposed to fit that fish net throught the little gaps to get the fish out?

Also the GB seems way to shallow, remember 30cm is preferred by most APers. And you wouldnt need all the insulation and heating if your running trout anyway, so perhaps DIYing your own might be the better option... you might be surprised how quick things come together even when you are so busy... bit by bit goes a long way. :)

Welcome to check out how we cut ours, but you might find that other IBC systems like freoboys might be better suited.

Good Luck :wave:
Author:  RupertofOZ [ Mar 8th, '11, 22:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Hey AP Im from Perth
Yep, looks like another hydroponics shop jumping on the aquaponics bandwagon... although in fairness they do seem to have done some research...

You can utilise the shallower hydroponic trays... by they do limit the plant selection somewhat... get hotter in summer... and are IMO more likely to get root bound quicker than deeper beds...

Also at around half the recommended depth... they also represent half the normal filtration capacity for a similar sized, deeper grow bed...
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