Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi guys, newbie here trying to design my first system.

I currently have 3/1000L IBC's I intended to use as fish tanks
1/205L Blue Barrel which I am intending to use as a sump
1/205L Blue Barrel for a solids filter (considering a radial flow filter)
And 1/205L Blue Barrel which I am intending to use as a moving bed bio-filter

However after looking into the media (K3 kaldnes) for the Bio-filter I got a rude shock at the price!

My question, is a bio-filter necessary in a media filled grow bed system?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

At first look your sump looks a bit small.

You don't need a solids filter or a dedicated bio-filter if you have enough GBs relative to the amount you will be feeding your fish.

Not enough GBs you need a solids filter.

Enough GBs you don't or a bio-filter for that mater.

Hi MB there's no mention of your planned grow bed volumes or your planned stocking density.

These two numbers will dictate your requirements. if you have room for 1/2 a dozen IBC GB's and stock the FT's conservatively you wont need any of the fancy stuff.

if you only put a couple of GB's on the system and you want to stock to the heavier side on fish you will need all the help you can get form filtration Etc.

I reckon the trick is to find the balance between your system sizing, your expectations on stocking densities and how much additional work you feel like doing.

Thanks guys, just as I though.

My mind was starting to explode when I started reading into different filter types (moving bed media vs. trickling aghhh).

As for my grow beds I am actually thinking of trying to get some more IBC's and cutting them in half for grow beds.

Is there any rule of thumb of water volume to grow bed volume? I've read on previous threads that there is a 1 fish/10 - 25 litres of water.

Also Stuart you said my sump sounds small may I please have a recommendation as to how big it should be?

Thanks guys again for the advice, I'll have a crack at sketchup tonight to give you an idea at what I'm looking at.

Cheers