Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Got my BYAP kit and in the midst of putting it together.
I have got a question though in regards to the drain pipes (ie. pipes from GB back to tank).

Do they need to be glued together in any way or just a push fit will do??
An answer or experience from someone would be appreciated.

Drain return pipes aren't under the same pressure as the pump delivery pipes... so a push fit will do... as long as you make sure it's a secure fit, wont be knocked around... and doesn't leak...

Ivansng,
Definitely flux and glue all pressure pipe work and fittings,
Gravity return pipe work can just be push fit if it is well supported.
My return pipe work is 90mm diameter, takes a few bends and drops, and it is not glued. Have a few strap supports and a couple of small "weeps" at the botom of a vertical drop of about 1200mm, but other than that, no problems.

Cheers IanK

Ivan,
We recommend the fittings under the growbed be glued.
The only fittings that we do not glue are the elbows at the very end of the drain line and those in the growbed itself.
(These are left unglued for ease of maintenance.) Hope you are having fun. Nice day for it, you must be keen.

I use the Duff tool of choice, silicone ...

Silicone gives a good sea, and if you decide to rejig things, you can easily pull them apart and re-use.

All my growbed drains have been done this way now, and no leaks.

Thanks for everyone's input, but I think the silicone idea sounds good. Just in case, I change my mind. Which I think I will, I am already thinking about Phase 2 expansion before I actually started Phase 1.

While we are talking about expansion, with 1000L + 2GB and 3000L/hr pump, I am wondering if it is possible to run the system with a 4500L/hr pump with my current setup and then when I expand my system, I will not need to upgrade the pump. Would 4500L/hr pump suck too much water for 2GB thus causing too low water levels in the FT now? My thoughts are once the beds are flooded to the top, the excess would overflow and drain back to the FT almost immediately, hence would not create a huge impact on water level.

Comments would be appreciated.

Just put a T pce in the line going from the pump to the beds (with a ball valve), and divert some of the water straight back into the FT, you can include a venturi on the return, and this will help to further airate your water for you also.
This will also create a whirlpool effect in the FT, and that helps with salmonoide fish (such as trout) growth rates, gives them a current to swim against.

Sounds good. I have decided to stick with the 3000L/hr pump for the time being, but I might put in the T piece as you have advised as I like the whirlpool effect idea. Not sure if the 3000L/pump can afford some extra flow for that with the 2 GB but we will have to try it out. At worst, just shut the ball valve.

Thanks.

Or you could just increase the pump run time if required (30min on / 30min off)...

Does sound like another option, except that I am not sure that the GB will be fully drained by 30mins. I have them at
45mins now, and have noticed on several occasions that the GB are still draining slowly while the pump as started again.

Is draining too slowly also an issue?

Ivan if you really think the growbed is draining too slow... you can correct that simply by removing the standpipe and drilling another hole at the base opposite the one already drilled...

Thanks Rup. I suppose the intent is to ensure that the roots of the plants have a short dry time. I know the roots of the plants are possibly short right now, but as the plants mature, I assume the roots may reach the bottom of the GB, hence we do really want the GB to be fully drained for a period of time to avoid "wet-feet"?

I will check this for sure over the weekend. If 45 mins is definitely not enough to drain the growbed, then I will proceed as suggested.

By the way, I have been reading about humonia on this forum? But I cannot googled it. I think I got a rough idea what it is, but can someone advise for sure?

Correct regarding the "dry time" Ivan... I posted in your thread regarding this...

Humonia... is human ammonia.... ever smelt a nappy bucket...

Thanks Rup.

Finally found a use for my baby pee...