Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Pic speaks a thousand words. Sorry for the hijack BF...

Very simple - should work Simmo, the pump should also suck more from the tank with the higher level (least resistance)

Check this old thread out boys for another option - or maybe I'm missing the point cause I haven't really read the posts that well

Check out this thread

I really like the idea of taking the pump inlet out of ONE fish tank, then pumping to both growbeds.

Both growbeds draining back into the OTHER fish tank, with both fish tanks joined with a large diameter connector either below water level, or like a constantly filled syphon pipe, or fish highway..

Essentially I guess I'm trying to get away with drilling holes in the tanks, and having the connector able to be above the waterline (and yes, possibly as a fish highway which would be cool).

Is fibreglass easy/safe to drill with a drill and holesaw?

Or a fish mincer, if they take the wrong exit!

lol... Might have to incorporate a drilled screen in there as well...

patent pending

simmo, if the "U" tube connecting the tanks is filled with waterbefore immersing, the you can take water out of one tank and the second tank will syphon into the first one to balance the water. Has been mentioned on another page.

That way you don't have to drill holes. AND you could probably use an endcap drilled with 6mm holes on one side to prevent fish migration/ mixing between tanks.

Steve

so whens your appearance on new inventors?

yes and easy to

just a little update of where i am at. i have the design figured out and have the basic structure setup for one tank. the bath tub to the right of the tanks will be a worm farm. above are growbeds that will be running flood and drain. i will have a second one of these setups next to this one that will be running in conjunction with this one. i will have pumps in each tank setup with float valves. as one tank empties the other tank fills.

does anyone see any potential problems with this design?

thanks peeps.

I'm no engineer but I think there is a structural issue with the stand. I would be concerned about it collapsing under the weight. Maybe the photo doesn't show everything but I think it needs bracing.

my 2c worth

you could be right derekh. my building skills and knowledge is about as bad as it gets.

a brace is a good idea and something that should be simple enough to add.
i would feel more comfortable even if its not needed. thanks for input derekh. much appreciated.

this has been a huge learning curve for me. ap is essentially teaching me a number of essential life skills i have not yet developed. i think i may do a basic building course at tafe to improve my skills so i can designs and setup large ap systems and greenhouses. i'm enjoying the journey and have an appreciation for building which i never really had before.

you might want to halve the span of the horisontals by placeing another "leg" just where the middle barrel is, but you'll have to move the tub under it a little. seems to already be a bit of a "bow" in the horizontals.....you're looking at over 500Kgs there possibly also another horizontal under the barrels from left to right.

yeah i think your spot on steve.

i think this will finish it off nicely. again this won't be at all hard to do.

not only will middle legs help support the heavy load they will also stablise the the structure. i think i may also shorten the legs so that i get more output from the pump and also make the growbeds more stable. my main concern was leaving enough room for easy access to the tank but it looks like i have more then enough room.

thanks steve.