Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Alex, Have you considered using IBC's cut in 1/2 for growbeds? They would fit in the ~1m gap well.

1 m growbed is a bit wide, the width needs to include access as well. But its a good place to start thinking.

oops i just found out what happens when one of these ponds overfills,
they kinda collapse, now i only have about 100mm of water in one.

Thanks for sharing Alex, not a nice picture in my head for your fish though.

Fixable AlexP.... or beyond repair?

i was just topping it up, no fish in it yet. I'm glad there was no fish in it cause the water was gushing out pretty fast. My neighbour alerted me, and i suspect his response time was pretty fast. possibly lost 85% of the water in maybe 2 minutes.

No damage per se, it was just an overfilling, (slow at that, rainwater tank flow is slow). Personally, i can't understand how it physically occurs, as with a quick re-adjustment. (ie a shove) it stops overflowing and works (ring float) normally .

just confirmed it with the neighbour, the pond 'locally collapsed' at the low point when the water over topped it.

i supposed that is why dams have spill ways.

The wieght of the water pushes the side out, once it goes 1/2 way over the ring. As more water starts to flow over, the side gets pushed down more and Woosha. Wet grass

Hi
Came back from holiday and noticed that the ponds now longer seem to be able to self support. Probably due to flotation ring being too soft. Other than re inflating the rings further, what other methods are there to keep these ponds up. I noticed on the video that comes with this forum the guys first system used a pool that needed some type of support.

I suggest it is time to get a little more fair dinkum. Solid tanks and grow bed's are a must if you want a reliable system ..... I personally think stainless steel is ideal.

You could build up an earthen wall around the pools, this will turn the pools into more of a liner.

And insulate them.... good thinking OBO

I have a habit of pileing up dirt

i'm looking at getting the top half of a polyethylene tank, but before i do, i need to know whats involved in welding the man/hole (water inlet hole) back on?
any advice out there?

I'm assuming you intend to plastic weld the manhole and inlet hole....

Plastic welding can be done and can be quite effective and strong.... if you know what you're doing and have the appropriate tools....

If you intend to then "invert" the tank top and fill it with water... then obviously the weld/repair will require the strength to hold approx 1 tonne of water for every 1000ltrs you fill it with.....

Think that requirement would mean that you'd probably either have to have the welding done professionally....

Or that you'd have to find another way to reinforce/brace the weld area.... is it worth the cost???? and/or risk???