Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

And if you're only considering lettuce or similar low height crops... then NFT or floating raft are probably more economical and managable...

I use 100 * 100 gutters with prefiltering (thanks to your warnings, Rupert )
with pots that contain media
with flood and drain 70 mm to 0 mm
and will only grow ether seedlings or fast to harvest crops that do not develop excessive root systems in them

there is so much I still have to learn
but you are helping me in avoiding mistakes, Rupe

thanks

frank

looked at the system design and came up with the following changes pond 2000l+stocked with tilapia rendalii, overflow water falls into a header tank with a solids trap,the overflow from this tank then washes through the gutters that are suspended off the floor above a large rectangular duckweed pond.the water is drained into the duckweed pond via 2 overflows and 2 loop siphons,the duckweed pond will house freshwater prawns for breeding and additional cleaning.the water then flows into a sump with a pump and biofilter and into a reducing pipe suspended over the pond for aeration.was thinking of a one hour off half hour on cycle any help with all of this is greatly appreciated

TMHO, a reducing pipe will cause pressure buildup
that will reduce pumped volume
that will eliminate all aeration advantage of "injecting" the water under pressure into the pond
better use a gutter, where the water is exposed to air
put some obstructions in the gutter to make the flow turbulent to expose more water to air
perforate the bottom or the bottom part of the side(s) of the part of the gutter that hangs over the pond to create a lot of small pressureless waterfalls

you can grow plants in this gutter too

I am not sure if algae growth should be avoided or allowed
as algae produce more oxygen than they consume
maybe grow water plants in the gutter
could be another crop

frank

I thought the design was just a passive gravity assisted venturi... water returning to both sump/biofilter (which is later pumped)..... and some of it through the reducing pipe suspended above ... a freefall gravity return...

Not a pumped situation....

gonna make a sketch,might clear up some things

fff

Just make sure you will still be able to reach all parts of the gutters even when full of plants!

Looks like you are making a good start. Keep reading and developing ideas!

thanks TCLynx,one thing i've learnt is not to rush into anything,always new ideas floating around.will post some development pics tomorrow

I would combine the biofilter with the solids trap

would make you sump simpler and access to your pump easier

unless somebody would confirm that plants prefer nitrites to nitrates
I don't really know about that

frank

Yep, biofilter and solids trap in one - add worms and you get a self cleaning biofilter.

got some pics of the site and our progress

CONTINUED......

DUCKWEED CULTURE

Look at all that room