Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Cheers OBO. That sounds good. I'm getting excited about it already.

Gilly don't get too excited !! there are a few issues (and advantages) with using multiple small tanks as opposed to one large one.
Pro's
-They are cheap
-You can slowly build your system as you can afford it.
-Easy to segregate various fish sizes and species.
-You can easily isolate one tank to set up as a quarantine/hospital tank if need be.
-They can be arranged to suit any space restrictions

Con's
-Beware the hidden cost of multiple fittings and plumping. ( and potentially multiple pumps)

-If you are going to use a common manifold at the bottom to equalize the the water levels. Make it a big one!
I used 25mm - not even close to big enough - I had to add 32mm syphons over the top to help equalize the water.
Gravity sucks! but not as fast as pumps pump

-Solids removal is an issue if only using one pump with multiple tanks.
You can use multiple pumps or be prepared to manually syphon out solids occasionally.(easier said than done)

- Multiple small tanks loose \ gain heat faster than one big one (not sure if this is really relevant when you are pumping out to growbeds anyway)

Having said all that, I'm very happy with my multi green bin system.

Cheers and have fun

Agree with the bigger fittings, at least 32mm, 25 is too small for anything except for small pump pressure lines. I now have lots and lots of 25mm pipe left over.

I find the garden hose is good for 'solids' stirring, when the pump is running.

You have a great set up Scott. So neat and tidy. I will be looking to set up something similar. It shows that AP systems can be incorporated into the normal backyard with great success whilst not detracting from the backyards visual appeal. This can help it become more main stream in the future.

OBO I have hooked up a hose to suck up the solids. The wife likes to drain the muck off the bottom to put on her garden. She's doing a good job keeping the bottom sparkling. Got the idea from Joel's book.

Can you suck up the muck from the bottom and into the grow beds. What does this do to the grow beds or should you be filtering them out.

Gilly i have just installed another ibc and connected them with 90 mm pipe they are also connected at the bottom with 32mm pipe with valves thats 4 in total now [one in glasshouse] i will be using these shift pist [one as a sump]
I am a firm believer in multipal fish tanks [big or small ] it makes the system versatile

F&F I was looking at these clear Bulk Bins that I see you have. They are selling for $220.00 at Paramount Browns in Adelaide. Good price for 1000 ltrs. How are they going. Is it better to cover or bury them. Is there any other issues with using them.

Yea $220 isent a bad price just make shore they havent been used for nasties i allways give mine a good clean with bleach then leave them in the sun for a few days I would say at a guess there would be a few thousand beeing used for aqua in aust
As far as burrying them i have only done that so i can use gravety [if you burry them put tin or something around the cage the dirt will push the sides in [ a few have come unstuck ]
Once you add airstones and pump water to grow beds you can say goodby to temp controll
they have to be covered or shaded because they are not uv stabelised [ 3 years and they start to break down] Hope this helps keep fireing questians somebody will answer them

+1 for buried ibc's - in their cage, surrounded by tin.

I would try to get them for less than $200 though - thats starting to get into just buy a proper tank area.

If you have the ability to bury ibc's, I would actually dig a hole and line it with sump liner. After supporting the ground of course.

Yeah multiple systems can be a bit tricky. you just have to get the level right.

That system of mine [see above ]is running perfectly if i was ever doing it again i would use shift pist it rocks

and autosiphons F&F?

shift??

ok chift

picky picky

people will get confused