Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I recon you could hit that with a small truck and it wouldn't break.
Nice.

I have also started the plumbing. Attached some images of spraybars and pipe-within-pipe drains in the first two GB's. I have 180m of growbeds to plumb so I'll be busy for quite some time. I have 3 x drains per 6m GB and 3 x 20mm inlet valves. I am going to need some help with the flow rates. The water level is going to be about 200mm. The drain holes at the bottom of the standpipes is 8mm. How long will it take to drain a GB? I can add more holes or make the hole bigger to reduce the drain time, or just twist the standpipe to make the hole smaller to increase the drain time.

Hey, Synaptoman, did you mention what kind of pump you're using? I know you're gravity feeding most of your system, which is smart on your part (one of the few things that is still free and unregulated) but you have to have something in your sump/ lowest part of the system for water return.

Mate ,, I think the outside pipe should be a lot bigger than that . You may later ( after putting in thousands of kilos of gravel ,, need to get your hand down between those pipes to clear out gunk. A definate , better now than later:)

2 x 3/4 KW pumps, one for each side of the greenhouse. I'll take images today and post.



I agree, I'll go 110mm but even that may be a bit of a squeeze for my mitts. Will test today and post images.

Also the outside pipe needs more holes

+1 for both comments regarding outisde piping.

What is the product you are using for the grow beds - is it large diameter sewage pipe or something?

I've increased the outer pipe (sleeve) to 110mm and it seems easier to work in. (images attached). Also an image of one of the pumps pumping water out of the sump. Everything else is gravity fed.

500mm PVC pipe. See page 6 of this thread for full discussion.

Today we started washing gravel and putting it straight into the completed GB's We have 12 tons of gravel on site and this MAY be enough for half the GB's. Attached an image of filled GB's after day #1 and a close up of the gravel. It's about 10-13mm.

Looking good! I notice the poles go right to the roof - are you intending to do a second layer of growbeds?

You guessed it !! ..or just crop support. I thought I may as well just leave them full height in case I need them for something.

Lattice ?? spelling ..... for vine crops.
All this work you've done and I never did ask what veg you intend to grow???

Well that's where you guys come in. Any (legal) suggestions would be welcome. We will probably just use the "shotgun" approach in the first year and then grow what grows well and sells from year 2.