Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Steve's gona take one for the team. If his beds dont give in them we will all know if we need more support

OK, so, update....................

Under mounting pressure and critisizms from among others a biblical character, i went ahead and welded two new supports to each bed.

Inspired by my motivation i ordered 1 cubic metre of 20mm scoria which as it works out is enough for only two beds.

Today, sick of my new found motivation, i decided to "just dummy up" the supply pipes and pumps so i could get they system going and try and reduce the green water. added about 50L of seeded gravel from bath tub system, but more about that in its own thread!

Anyway, you smart AP progeny, riddle me this: what is the fatal flaw with this sump/pump/return?

Clue: there is a fault

What return line, I can only see a siphon....

Thats why you use 40mm on your return line and stick in a venturi, the venturi hole breaks the siphon..

Very good, been there done that i assume?

40mm oops, i was wondering why i had spares................

Yes, i figured that once i had the venturi it would break

or a non return valve
cheers,

MOses.

to my credit i realised while i was just standing there admiring it. The sump would have never over flowed, just sat there pumping out then siphoning back, pumping out, siphoning back The siphon rate was very slow.

Is there a reason why the return is under water in the FT? Wouldn't it be better/easier to have it above water level and let it 'splash' in? Probably angle it so the FT 'spins'... Sorry seems too obvious, have I missed something

LOL, yes, EB got it right 4 posts above.

The pump has SERIOUS return flow (noise) will use a venturi to inject air while keeping it quiet

A pair of red gloves should fix it

These pictures are very refreshing. I like the new "no grass look".

MY luck:

I've had two nice sized passion fruit vines stashed inside waiting to have my new beds done do i could plant them out. They will form a canopy over the fishtank.

So planted them out three days ago i think. The last two night have been the coldest of winter i think, around 1.8C with quite bad frost..............the younger shoots and leaves did NOT like the frost

Thank goodness i left the tamarillo tree in the laundry to harden it up and not outside.......they definatly don't like frost when young.

Complete system pics soon, wouldn't want to disrespect the BYAP name by posting a half done system

comming together there! My passion fruit vine works well for shade too... the only thing is that it seems to drop a fair bit of leaves into the tank every now and then... This is not a problem as I have redclaw who seem to appreciate the 'input'... just thought I would add

was originally going to have a grape vine over it so it would get the sun during winter, but the beds will absorb more heat than the tank itself and it might even help to have it "shaded"from the cold clear night sky............

they should bounce back ok............tuesday night is the next night that will prolly get frost...... might make up some makeshift protection for them whilst still young

twice I have transplanted a passion fruit vine from AP to soil, and they have survived... they seem to be tough enough plants - I will always have one in my system as they pull a lot of nutrients out... by the way, is it going to share a GB or have its own?

share. suggestions / comments?

planted on the centre right of the growbed closest to the FT