Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We will definitely need to screen it and select the best size - but there is plenty of the right size. Since that pile is 12 cubic meters, I think we can find enough for 2 cubic meters.

Here is a picture of the barrels and of course various pieces of machinary. Also you can see the official Cocker Spaniel diligently making sure no one makes off with a barrel.

Oh please can I come and help? You are now at the really exciting stage that I really enjoy.

The funny thing is that this is not the stage I enjoy. I guess that is because I am an engineer. I enjoy the research and design phase but building is not as fun. That's okay. I have construction people who do it. Today I will get everything started - show them where to put everything and how to arrange it - and it will all be done in a day or so.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe it. I am really good at ideas and design - not so good at implementation (I can be distracted at times). This is no problem since we have excellent people who get everything done.

I was thinking about the cascade system - if I make the first group of beds bigger than all other beds, I do believe I won't have a problem with not triggering down stream.

Lets say the first group is 8 half barrels, and 2 groups of 6 below. The fill of the top should ensure the next levels trigger. Of course, the siphons need to kick on and empty quickly or they will overflow.

I have the feeling I will be messing around with cascading autosiphons for a while...

CRTD... my cascading beds arrive Thursday
I need to build frames next weekend
Wash gravel the weekend after
then we're in business... There will be much discussion...
Personally, I believe that because we overinput into the beds to ensure they start siphoning, eg fill, it starts, continue filling, water gets well and truly over the siphon point, we stop filling.
so we've pumped much more than 100% gb capacity into the GB.
so each consecutive bed will get more too.
any bed that has a touch more space, will still start as there is much extra water.

If the flow rates are done right we could fill the first bed, and only stop filling when the second bed is full...
this will allow us HEAPS of extra water...

Don't forget to put in overflows and slow drains to save you in case of siphon failure...

Yeah - I agree - I went ahead and designed for 7 x 3

Over flows are necesary and slow drains

Regarding schedule - all post will be in the ground today (36 in total) - it is only a half day today.

Monday should have everything mounted, Tuesday plumbing should be done. It should be running before the end of the week.

Damn you people with construction crews
Good luck mate.

You're lucky having people to do the construction, hope it will all be done right. Are you going to share the veggies, sort of a community garden? Giving food would give them an increase of income not to expensive.
I hope I'll come and see it one day...
I'm actually trying to start selling gear for the European market. Might make the cash to come and see you.
have a good week and keep us up to date.

Normally what happens to our gardens is that anything which is left over from our own use is shared with workers.

That is so good, it'd love to work with for you.
I'm happy of that, i was thinking it was a nice concept but not that real.

I'll be following the progress for sure.
I've searched stuff on Pacu, if you're still interested i'll post them here.
Have a good week.

Sure, Pacu is definitely interesting. Surely easier than tarpon...

Well, just to show you all what great progress "I" am making. (okay, my workers but I am paying for it so I get to be included)

All the posts are in place and the supports for the tanks are nearly done (will be today) The last part is digging a hole for the sump to make sure it is lower than the lowest barrel, this is nearly done as well.

Tomorrow I explain to our plummer how to connect everything.

Off-topic: How much is land in Costa Rica?

On topic: Could you let us know how much the system cost (roughly) once oyu get it setup. It's kind of interesting to compare costs from one region to the next - I'm also wondering how economical it is for your locals to get systems like that up and running...

Asking how much for land is like asking how much for land in Canada. Depends where. In the middle on nowhere for very good soil - 2400 dollars per 7,000 square meters. (7/10 of an hectare)

With good access and services - probably 2 to triple that. Around civilization it can get really up there - and beach front is very high.

You can buy cheaper land in Canada and the USA for sure.

A farm worker is a little more than 2 dollars an hour including benefits. Fuel is about 25% higher than the USA.

I will try to figure out how much it cost completely when I am finished for everyone.