Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

That should be okay GF, you could also put in a tee and connect one of the spray attachments to aerate the water too

Yep will do the job

Ok I have bought the pump Completed drain piping and piping from fish tank to baths. Will have to raise fish tank a bit so water will flow (currently a bit lower than baths) probably use some planks of wood for this 5cm high each from tip shop.
Still have to do sump (pump) to fish tank pipe will wait till pump arrives and fish tank is finalised.

I need to connect a 19mm pipe to 50mm is there a fitting I can use for this? I remember seeing EB connecting black polypipe to white pvc pipe (not sure of the sizes) on the dvd from the book. This will connect in my hydroponic system. I think I will take the gravel out of my hydroponic system and just have it flow with aqua water.

Gravel - I am thinking of getting a full cubic meter? even though I only have 600ltrs in my baths or would half a cubic meter be enough?

cycling - I have 3 goldfish left from when I was testing the tanks so thinking about using them plus Urea from Bunnings. The Urea seems to be Nitrogen already I would have thought it would be ammonia so the bacteria could work? Anyway this is a little while off

Tank has been getting considerable algae growth with the goldfish after a few weeks - guess i will have to look at making it darker when i get it online??

Thanks

A fully operating system wont have a problem with algae really.

Use the goldfish and Urea - your assumptions are 100% correct. Urea converts to ammonia then nitrite then nitrate.

Get at least a cubic metre of gravel, it comes in handy

There are fittings at bunning to connect PVC to poly, as I did here:

19mm pipe to 50mm
You will need a few reducing bits...
A 50mm/32mm valve take off,32mm - 25mm FI adapter,
25mm MI - 19mm tail could be a step down in 2 moves
if your lucky.

no you dont C1.

Simple 50mm T-piece with a 25mm thread in the side of it. Screw in 19mm poly straight with 25mm thread in it. As in picture above. Probably less than $10 per fitting set.

Boo Hoo lets say it was an alternative method

OB - note I did say it could be possible in 2 moves

ok here's where I am I already have the 50mm T no 25mm thread in the side of it unfortunately though so if I understand you guys right I will have to get a 50mm piece with 25mm thread on the other end and then 19mm poly straight with 25mm thread?

Also i have used pressure pipe for the run from the fish tank to the baths If you have ever used it before once you have pushed it together you can't pull it apart again I am wondering whether it is worth siliconing? or gluing for the pump to fish tank?

I have included a overall photo of my system not a great one though.

Thanks for your thoughts

once your sure the plumbing is right some form of 'gluing' is required.
The system stopping and starting will pressurize the plumbing with a jolt each time!
even gaffa tape could help!

Your pipework assumption is correct.

Once pressure pipe is together, use a tek screw to stop it coming apart, some joins may leak, so just a smear of silicone works well.

If you have glued the pipe together and made an error , or you want to alter a manifold etc ,you can use an electric heat gun to warm up the pipe and remove the fitting to use again, rather than cutting the pressure pipe.

alrighty done all fittings and gravel (was surprisingly clean) etc was up to cycling this weekend but filled tank and sump and sump is still leaking at tap slow drip about every second. I knew it already leaked so I had siliconed with roof and gutter as well as I could.

Options? I guess I could try Aquarium sealant although this hasn't worked for others in this situation.
Is there a end cap style fitting to screw (and glue ) onto the ibc thread? (might check at Reece tomorrow) Any other ideas?

Would prefer a end cap fitting (more secure) but otherwise might have to be the sealant and wait the 7 days? (and hope its ok)

Really wanted to start cycling but probably should do this right so don't have to fix it again.

Thanks for suggestions

I just keep siliconing until it stops leaking