Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So Update on the system.

Me and the Kids have got a lot of work done in the last few days. We have the top cut off the tank and most of the plumbing roughed in. Started to work on the auto siphon today and got a little frustrated till i realized i needed back presure "duh". So tomorrow will be working on the road back to the tank. Was thinking of setting up some pvc gutter with added medium in it, sort of a contiuos flow system going on.

Also any ideas on heat reflectors. The tank is getting really hot so was thinking about wraping it in something. Heard tale of bubble wrap but that may be hard to get here.

And again another Q

Anyone have any ideas on what Gurami will be like in a sytem like this. I know its kind of a unkown as Oz dosen't have any but here they are easy to source and I have been told fairly easy to grow.

Aluminium foil would be the best radiant heat reflector that is readily available and cheap. Just make a trip to the store thickness doesn't matter, as you're employng it as a reflector, not an insulator. Shiny side out

SO here is my next question to the kings & queens of AP. Do I need to set up a one way valve on my pump if it is continuos flow. I would do it if it was easy to find here but i can;t seem to find one. Do you think it is a must?

IMHO, on continuous flow, I wouldn't worry. Anyone else?

I agree with Monya on that...
As for the Gurami question... I have had them heaps as pets, but only the small ones and they were rather tough buggers. I have seen one of the large ones, and the store owner wanted over $200 AU for it! WHat an expensive meal!

$200 Aud ouch here its 4 dollars a kilo for big fish. You can buy the babies for about 20 cents each. And they taste oh so yummy!!!!

a one way valve is sort of pointless on a pump that runs 24/7.

I saw a gourami in a pet shop, for get how many years old it was, but it was the size of a medium sized dog. Seriously. Ugly bugger though, time was not kind to it

Gouramis i would imagine would do fine, from what i have heard they are very hardy, and can tolerate a range of water conditions.

Im assuming that would be the wild blue type? (as opposed to the developed varieties, eg opaline, um i think i have seen yellow too, etc..)

The only possible problem i see is their growth. Im not sure if they grow fast or slow.....

Ducks head

Try the aluminium dull side out. The shiny side will cause hot spots, concentration of light, and burn plants in said hot spots.

If you have your growbed higher than your pump, and holding more water than you tank would take if the pump stopped and all the water went in the tank - you need a check valve.

If your tank will cope with whatever volume arrives, you don't need one.

Hey AD thanks for the tip on Hot spots.

I spent most of today playing with the auto siphon and reconfiguring the system to allow me to swap pumps in and out. The may reason for the configure was the the "leaky tank" was really a busted washer so i just put some 1" pvc faucet and vale peices over the hole and now i can use the sub pump or hook up on the outside.

Question Do I have to PVC cement the peice together or can i use silicone. I just want to be able to get it apart later on. CHeers

Will it be under pressure or is it part of the draining system?

Yeah its under pressure. Guess it just means i have fun ripping it apart later on.

Hi jt,

Nice stuff. I like your bike and tank ensemble, it contrasts beatifully with the Landcruiser!

An easy way to seal the hole/s you don't need is to use the blanking inserts used to block unecessary holes in a water closet cistern. I don't know Indonesian plumbing but here a cistern is typically supplied with a hole on each side so that you can mount the operating lever on the side where you need it. That leaves a redundant hole on the other side.

You block it with a blank which is a flat circular plate on the end of a threaded rod with a lock ring and a rubber washer. If you insert the threaded rod from inside the tank so that the washer is between the tank wall and the plate and tighten it up from outside the water pressure pushes it against the tank.

Cheap and no glues etc are required.

Good luck with the project!

Hey Mev thanks for the info on the blank. I will try to find some here but first gotta figure out its name in indonesain or atleast how to explain it to someone.

So i think i have figured out my fish type. I went to a little fish hatchery here in Bali and they said they could sell me tilapia no min order and 5cents aus a head. SO now i just have to get the system up and running and i am on my way!!!