Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Some more pics of controls: I'm running a little PIC micro. I've added level sensors my FT sump, a second 120L tank not shown and the original in my GB's.

I also last week added temp sensors for my FT and the greenhouse and a small solar cell that is used to back off the pump timers at night. The FT sensor is used to switch on a small heater if the FT water falls below 20C and the greenhouse temp sensor also backs off the timer until the GH heats up a little in the morning. Otherwise I'm just cycling a lot of cold water into the FT and the small heater won't keep up.

Here are some pics:

Some more pics: You all do like pics right????

So all that gear helped the basil double in size huh?

That was it Dave. I'm pretty sure it was the last temp sensor that did the trick.... By the was, my homemade elephant eradicator works too

I think I know who I'm calling to help me work out some electronic tinkering. The cook is good at wiring up pickles and hooking into power panels but control wiring and battery backups don't seem to be his game.

Of course. Anytime. I'll trade you for some lessons in composting and chemistry

so to deactivate the bomb, you just cut the red wire?

Yes, the one near the center of the pic

I can easily give lessons on compost! I'm not sure about the chemistry, most of what I can regurgitate here, I learned right here on the forum.

I do have some wonderful compost whacko tips for aquiring other people's bagged leaves.

Anyway, back to electronics. Will be interested in setting up some relays I think for a low water switch and battery backup sort of things.

Tc. PM me or call tomorrow and we'll discuss. I'm not that good with fish and plants yet, but wiring and electronics isn't a problem...

Had a nice visit from TCLynx yesterday and got some good ideas for my next addition. Also some good lessons on composting! Well the compost bins are built so now I guess I have to start raking leaves out of the woods....

I had some minor ideas pop into my head on the drive back into town.

If you do go for the idea of Fish tank high enough up to give you gravity to run from it, to the greenhouse, then if you make your grow beds big and kinda low to the ground then you might be able to work out a sump that is big and mostly kinda shallow and only need to sink it a little way into the ground. You would just need a really low spot in it to allow the sump pump to function. That way you can avoid the problem of sinking a tank very far into the ground with the dangers of high water tables and such. I was thinking along the lines of mostly lumber framed and liner contained grow beds/sumps. The ideas are not really forming into something easy to describe though so hopefully my ramblings will spark some inspiration for you.

Have fun this weekend!

Thanks. I've been thinking along the same lines. I'm going to to a water level test tomorrow and see how the heights work out.

So where are the pics??? - BYAP etiquette requires visual displays of all members visiting others