Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

only suggesting 90mm storm for the SLO because all you need is a T, end cap, and tank adapter and it is a much bigger pipe to allow flow, stormwater gear is available everywhere hardwares, retic, or rainwater tank suppliers, the tank adapter for storm you may need to go to a rainwater tank specialist. I use pressure pipe on most of mine but when once go over 50mm gear it isn't as common. DWV I don't go there, but that's my bias. My 50mm SLO is working fine, your system is bigger, that's why I suggest trying the 90mm storm water pipe. most solids grates on DW pumps range from 5mm to 10mm so a grate or even drilling holes should do if flow is restricted drill more holes.

Why not?

It's for non pressure plumbing and drains, I find it harder to get also, but that's coz I work with retic and we don't have a supplier in our remote little satellite city of plumbing supply's, I would have to travel for the stuff. That's why it's my bias, I would probably use it if it were more available to me. The other reason is I get people all the time in my industry coming in with a smug grin showing me swollen busted pipe that they have sanded down to make it fit and use for pressure situations, It's dangerous and lucky no one got hurt. makes it a pet hate of mine. especially if they got kids. Some things should be left to the experts.

Yeah OK, definitely for near zero pressure applications.
If people are dopey enough to use it where is swells and bursts, they possibly have some other hazards around thier home. Might do some electrical work themselves too?

In AP rarely dealing with more than 2 mhd or so and even in larger sizes its cheaper, and easy to work with. UV protected. I dont like the sandwich construction but its only in bigger sizes I think.

Imagine workin a 'B' and asking every cust. what they are gonna use it for, no matter what they are buying, I worked for a hire company once and we had to ask and the answers you get are scary. Sorry back on track just got off the track a bit.

I took some pictures.
Here is the grate I've been using for my 3" sewer pipe SLO drains and overflows and stuff.


I just drill a couple holes through the pipe and the grate so I can slip a zip tie through and secure the grate in place so the fish can't knock it loose and go exploring (did happen before I added the zip tie.


This grate might be too open for very small fingerlings and additional screen or strainer bag might be needed if putting very small fish into a big tank with such a grate and extra cleaning of that screen would become necessary.

Cheers TC!

Those Slots look like there about 5/16 (8mm...ish), i think iv seen something similar that they use on the tops of the Sewer Vents here in aus. they usualy run a 50mm PVC up to roof height and put on of them kind of things on the end to stop birds etc getting in there.


will check out local HW Today, but that is exactly what im looking for Cheers again!

Or left to somone with half a brain.... some people really surprise me out there with the shit i see at work i guess there are some out there that have no mechanical or trades like mind, but still insist on DIY....

i could give 10000's of exsamples but my fave was someone who welded the drawbar back on his trailer with a stick welder and no idea then went to the Sand/Soil across from work and loaded up with a cube of sand, went to take off around the corner and his trailer just sat there and he took off with a drawbar... took him around 250mts to realise..... least we got a job out of it

scary but funny

you can buy from Iplex a "vent cowl - insect proof" normal slotted end cap but includes insect screen also - might block up though

i got a vent cowl, looks like fish may be able to get thru it, so i may get some Flywire to put around it until they grow......will just have to maintain it.....

I think the insect proof ones have some fly wire cut and heat glued inside.

Just made a new Idea up going to trial it tomorrow

The idea is to run the whole pipe along the bottom then up the side wall to the outlet.

the 8mm holes are around a bit over half of the pipe 5 wide.

the holes will aim towards the bottom and the endcap and Coupling will keep the pipe approx 5 mm off the bottom.

bottom view


Right way up

Well almost new i have been using that exact pipe for 2 years in my sump only instead of coming up the side it goes through the ibc outlet

New at my house

Iv got my outlet 80mm down from the top of the tank but I noticed the whirlpool was governed by the pipe going across to the middle of the tank, so I'm goin down the wall now and across the bottom.

Went and installed it before works a treat whirlpool is kickin better. Seen all the fish tonight water is crystal clear with that nice seasol tinge too it