Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello All,
I am new to this and after reading many of these threads figure you're my kinda people.

Weird as it sounds I have a small team of people gathered who want to figure out the mysteries of aquaponics then take it to Nicaragua and set a large system up at an orphanage!

I have set up a small (2 half barrel) system, or tried anyway, as an example/experiment and have lost some sleep and most of my hair working with the Bell Siphon! Ahhhh!!! I works, then doesn't, then works, then doesn't... you get the idea and I'm sure you all hav e been there.

Does anybody have a system written up, pictures, pipe lengths, diameters, etc that you could just send me or direct me too? I'm all for reinventing the wheel if necessary however I don't think this is required in my case.

Anyway, I appreciate this site, have learned alot and been encouraged by you all.

VR/
Tony

Hi and welcome!

I'm also in FL, down in the middle though.

As to your difficulty with the siphons in the half barrels. I feel your pain there! Been there, grappled with that.

Here is a link to a thread about siphons
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=685

Before you go there, here are a few notes about dealing with half barrels. Because they have a varying volume per increment of depth, It seems there are some flow rates or sizes of auto siphons that are just about impossible to get balanced in them. Either it won't kink in properly or once you get the flow right to start the siphon, it won't stop once the bed is almost drained. Now I know it is possible to get half barrels working with siphons because there are many people out there doing it but I've only managed it by using the Flush tank as in the barrel ponics system or using a timer on the pump to give the siphon a chance to cut out.

Welcome and we look forward to seeing your system thread in member systems in the near future!

hello, welcome to our world

Hi Tony, wow and orphanage wih AP. Very very exciting. Welcome to the forum, and I wish you all the best on your adventures

Welcome Anthony,

Love those who are doing it for others

Thanks guys. I appreciate the welcome, and the help.
T

Yep, kudos to you Tony... and welcome...

Hope we can help you get it all up and running...

Welcome Tony!

I'm brand new to this as well.

I live in Costa Rica. In my research I found a facility that offers training AND they do missions in Nicaragua. The name of the outfit is Morning Star Fisherman and they are located in Dade county, somewhere round the corner from you!

Maybee someone else here has heard of them and can offer an opinion or ?????.

Thanks for the information.
T.