Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

DecalsbyJT,
could you post the .skp file in the sketchup thread?
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4101&hilit=sketchup

would allow for more views
and allow others to use your components

frank

Those blue drums are going to be fun to dig out later.

I have uploaded my sketchup file to the thread....


thanks
JT

ok....

im still having alittle trouble with how to figure out how many fish to start with...

any recommendations?

thanks
JT

Kuda, what is HSM?

anyway, small PLC's (programmable logic computers) are very affordable nowadays
and extremely reliable
and easy to program

no risk of getting out of sync

frank

I'd throw in a dozen goldies to start. Get the bacteria working and fix any problems that always seem to happen after a system is full of fish.

HSM

Holly
Shit
Mode

I think, so far I haven't had one.

If a point of 3kg per 100 ltrs is a safe and easily managed max full fish load, [considering most here have ratios of less than 2:1(GB:FT)]
And wanting to have room for your fish to grow, system to mature, plants to fill out etc
In a 3000ltr system such as mine ratio is less than 1:1,
I had 150 x100mm Trout...
(approx 10kg of fingerlings)
That works out to 20ltrs per fish...
300ltr per kilo of fish.
attrition takes care of a few but I did go overboard.
starting at about 20 grams growing to 900grams since may 17th 08 (7 months)
There are still 12 monsters in there...
Back on topic for a sec...

I reason out 1Kg( 2.45lbs) per 300ltr (80us gal)..???

I trust you're talking about a Siemens Logo or some such? If so... ick! Hardly call them a PLC!!! They're a programmable relay. Because 1 device is doing the timing for multiple pumps, yes you're right, it's impossible to get out of sync, as there's nothing to sync with, they all use the same clock.
but yes they're becoming relatively cheap, however from previous discussions, the average APer is still not prepared to spend that amount of money of a glorified timer that they don't understand well enough to fix.
I know that may have sounded condescending, but I'm only slightly paraphrasing what was said to me.

GB: 1459l
FT: 1440l
ST: 832l

FT+ST = 2272l

to attain 1:1 ratio, your GB are the limiting factor, so useable water for fish = 1459l

a stocking density of 3kg/100l = 42kg
As this is your first system, do not imho use the weight of fingerlings, but the weight of grown out fish.

1 fish to eat = 700g
42/0.7 = 60.

I would start with no more than 60 Fish.
This way if HSM happens too much in your first year, you lose only a little.
next year you can buy a greater number. When experience should help, and design flaws have been fixed.

Remembering that 60 Fish will give you on average more than 1 per week. So it's not all that bad.

Hope this helps.

I think I'd want more than 1 fish a week more like 5 or 6

Sure... I'm just scared of overloading... I know how hard it is to lose most of your fish to F*** Ups and Design Flaws... Call me a pussy, but I preach caution to newbies. Once bitten, twice shy...
How are you planning on cycling the system? With fish? With Eating Fish?

Your ratio is good for an initial startup KP - C1 has just forgotten what happened when he added too many fish at the beginning

Probably due to not being there

Lots more good advice..... thanks all..


another question....

putting an air stone in a 400 gallon tank.... what size pump would you use?

ive seen some small 2l a minute, but dont know best size....

I bought some parts today.. Yeah.... an electronic timer with battery backup, just incase

I also have my barrels..., my plywood and lots of pvc fittings...

little by little

thanks

JT

hmmm.. extremely touchy and dangerous subject...
I am torn between sinning by silence and hijacking threads
best do a search on airstones, airlift pumps ,aeration on the forum

frank

When talking to a fish guy over at Aquatic Ecosystems he said that for 400 gallons of fish tank, he said one wants 1 CFM of air to support that much tank. So you would want an air pump that can deliver 1 CFM (cubic foot per minute of air) at 2 psi. You need one psi to push air down 28 inches and you need about another one psi to push the air through an air stone.

With an air pump you want to use the largest tubing appropriate for your pump and air stones. (a cheap little aquarium air pump and stone is not going to support your fish if your main system water pumps die long term. Though a little aquarium air pump might be appropriate for adding a little extra aeration into your tank especially during cycling.) For a backup system, you would want to get a bigger air pump that could provide the full cubic foot per minute of air at 2 psi.

My backup system uses an air pump of around 60 watts that provides a bit more than 2 CFM of air at 2 psi. It is hooked to a battery through an inverter that can run it for over 20 hours. The battery stays hooked to an appropriate charger and when power goes out or the low water sensor is activated, the air pump turns on. On low water indication the circuit board turns off the main water pump to protect it and the fish from running dry (my main system is not CHIFT PIST.)

So what sort of fish are you planning on?

Hey TCL....

not sure what fish yet..... right now the greenhouse is 68 degrees.... with the heaters at 30 degrees F its at 58-60 degrees F....

will cycle the system without fish for a while....

right now maybe some catfish, and bluegills.....

but still in the planing stage.. have contacted 3 different fish farms locally.... to see what
would do well ...

probably will start with gold fish.... since they are pretty tough....

JT