Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Guys, im finally ready to set up my first AP setup.

I have a 1000l ibc for the FT (Will be cut so maybe 800L FT + 200L GB) and will have 4x 200L Barrels for the GB cut in half. I have 1 200L barrel i can use for sump if need be (Do i need it?)

Now to the plumbing.

I am going to order a pump that can do 4000L PH. Im going to configure it like the following picture but im not too sure if thats any good.

Now i think about it, its probably easier if i do it like this.



That is a top view of the setup. That way when i dont need to make any supports for it. I do have bull ants (huge ants) should i build supports for the GB anyway?

Also if i put them on the ground how do i get the water back into the FT?

You could do that, but with out a sump you will pump your fish tank dry (or close to it).

One of the reasons for a sump tank is to be able to keep your fish tank level static which reduces the stress on the fish.



You will need your grow beds height above the level of your fish tank so gravity can return the water to the tank.

Alternatively, bury a sump tank (you will need approximately an 800 litre sump tank by my gestimations) below the level of the grow beds and pump the water from the sump to the fish tank - in other words a CHIFT PIST system.

Be careful about burying your sump tank. Depending on soil type and rain fall you may find it more trouble than it is worth (probably best if your grow beds are raised - also makes it easier to plant and harvest)

Ah thanks Arbe it gives me a better idea then .

So if i have a sump i will need 2 pumps right? Im trying to make it a flood and drain (so i will be need syphons instead of just a pipe back into the sump?)

Can i use a smaller sump (say 200L for the 800L FT) or do i need it to be 1:1 for the FT?

If you cut your barrels around the middle so they are round grow beds, it will be much easier to support them and much easier to get siphons working if you go that way.

I would suggest a CHIFT PIST system as stated above. Another option to avoid the chance of a sump tank floating would be to do a gravel filled sump bed but then it needs to be twice as large and have a place to keep the gravel away from the pump.

have a look in this thread for some helpful diagrams
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5311

You can do CHIFT PIST Constant Height In fish Tank Pump In Sump Tank with one pump also called CHOP Constant Height One Pump

That would depend on your configuration.

If you have the top of your fish tank slightly higher than your grow beds they will over flow into your grow beds. Your grow beds should be higher than your sump tank so they can drain into it. Then you only need one pump to move the water from the sump to the fish tank.

Yes, flood and drain will need a siphon.

I would suggest that you do not cut your IBC down. If you leave it whole and simply cut a section out of the top you will probably be better off for the following reasons:

1. The IBC will maintain more of its structural integrity.

2. You will maintain more fish tank volume and total water volume in the system.

3. You will maintain more height to enable you to raise your grow beds and still have some fall to allow a CHIFT PIST system to work.

4. Leaving the frame intact makes it easier to put a lid on your fishtank.

Apart from that I would raise your grow beds to get them out of the ants way and make it easier to work with them.

A sump is definely a good idea, and I would suggest making it as big as your fish tank or bigger if possible. Sump size is critical to ensure you have enough water to flood all the grow beds you might want to put in later.

Might as well dig a big hole now, rather tham go back and dig it later

Your don't necessarily need syphons to do a flood and drain, you can use a timer and flood the beds then turn the pump off and let the water drain back, either directly to the fish tank or a sump.

Unfortunately my GB will probably be the round barrels so i cant exactly spill into them.



Maybe i can rig it like this. Have 4 "gutters" then 4 holes then pipes going to the grow beds. But by doing it this way would the GB closest to the FT get more water?

Should i have 1 pipe along the gutter for each grow bed?

Not sure why you can't "spill" into half barrels

You run a pipe out of the top of your IBC that falls down to your grow beds and put a tap at each grow bed to regulate the flow. Then plumb each bed back to a return to the sump (if you go CHIFT PIST). If you have a look at the plumbing in my system you will see what I mean Link below in my signature.

If you don't go CHIFT PIST then you will have to lower your fish tank and pump up to your grow beds and return the water back to the fish tank.

The top of the fish tank is cut off as well right?

If i have it as 1 pipe coming out, could the speed of the sump pumping water into the FT over flow at all?

I didn't cut the top off my IBC, I left it whole for the reasons I stated earlier, just a section cut out of the top so I can get the fish out. To be honest I don't see any advantage in cutting down an IBC that is being used as a fish tank. It just reduces your fish tank volume.

If you use IBCs to create grow beds I suggest buying another one (or two) and cut it in half. That gives you growbeds that are much bigger than half barrels and reduces the amount of plumbing.

No, the water will not overflow if you match the size of your pipes to your flow rates

I used 40mil pipes and I have estimated that I am circulating approximately 2000 litres of water per hour; that is twice my fish tank volume. That is about the maximum flow rate for 40mil pipe; anymore flow and I would need to go up to 50mil or bigger.

Thanks for that mate.

Is there any chance i can get around having to have a sump tank? its a big hassle getting the ute to get the ibc plus burying it will be a issue (i will putting it near the pool so not so happy to dig down)

Maybe something thats similar to the BYAP setups?

Yeah sure, you can just raise your grow beds even higher and bury your fish tank just a little. As long as your grow beds are higher than the fish tank you can pump up to your grow beds and let gravity drain the water straight back to the fish tank.

Bear in mind that this method reduces the amount of grow bed space volume you can have because you can only pump a certain amount of water out of the fish tank before the fish become unhappy. You can get around this problem and have more grow beds if you fill them sequentially using an indexing valve i.e. only fill one bed at a time thus reducing the amount of water that is out of the fish tank at any one time.

You could have an above ground sump and run two pumps as well. The sump then basically sits just below the level of the grow beds and has a pump that has a float valve. Once the water gets to a certain height it kicks of the float valve and returns the water back to the fish tank.

Edit: Yep, like the BYAP systems

Lots of options, all have their pluses and minuses. Personally I like digging big holes