Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok - I thought I would finally start a thread on my GH system. So far the only pictures I have are of the location. The small shed will be removed and materials will be used at the back of the GH to store generator and other stuff. The GH will run East/West. I'm still working through sizes and location of FT and ST and will post designs for the critics soon. The area gets a little more shade then I would like, but is the most logical place when considering other landscapes the wife and I have planned. Details comming soon!

Mark

Good luck,
Keep the photos coming!

Regards

Matt

Certainly got a nice flat area there DV - makes life a lot easier.

Wouldn't worry too much about the shade - it'll be a blessing in your hot summers !

"Flatness" is an abundant natural resource in Houston.
Good for AP. But when you start planning greywater systems, you start to wish for a little bit of incline...

Rick

I think I have worked through the plans enough to let you all have a crack at criticism. The plan is to have two systems with a shared sump. Each system can be operated independently, or together as a single system. Measurements are in English.

FT (x2) ST GB (x2)
Cubic Feet 120 240 216
Dimensions WxLxD in Feet 3x8x5 5x12x4 9x8x3
Volume in Gallons 900 1800 1600

CHIFT PIST (actually I may use an external pump, but I have not decided yet)

The FT will overflow via two outlets, one acting as a skimmer and one piped to the bottom for solids removal. I’m not sure of the siphons yet, but I will need to move a lot of water out of the GBs (100 gallons or so).. I also have not picked out a pump yet, but I have a $200 credit at the aquarium shop and will pick out something they have on stock.

So what will it look like? I do not do Sketchup, so you are stuck with your imagination and my quaint diagrams below. The entire system will be buried two feet so just the upper 1 foot of grow beds is above ground (and three of the FTs). Then a Greenhouse will be built on top of it. I have permission from the wife to break ground, so I have to submit plans to the HOA and get approval.

Mark

Well - that just reformatted my nice looking table

FT (x2)
Cubic Feet 120
Dimensions WxLxD in Feet 3x8x5
Volume in Gallons 900

ST
Cubic Feet 240
Dimensions WxLxD in Feet 5x12x4
Volume in Gallons 1800

GB (x2)
Cubic Feet 216
Dimensions WxLxD in Feet 9x8x3
Volume in Gallons 1600

Mark

Grow beds that size are gonna be kinda hard to reach into for harvesting and tending. Especially if you can only reach them from two sides.

It is really important to keep things accessible.

If you are running two separate systems, they are not really separate if they share a sump. You might want to think about making them truly separate so you won't need to build another separate quarantine system.

What materials were you planning on using? If pond liner, look up the standard widths of the liner so you can size your stuff accordingly. You don't want to have to buy a size larger liner and then have a huge amount of excess to cut off as that will cost you quite a bit extra. Apparently they changed the standard size on the pond liner I use. When I got mine, it was 5 1/2 feet wide so I was able to make 3' wide and 1' deep grow beds with ease.

Ya- figured those questions would come up. Materials will be all concrete and block...rendered and waterproofed. I know the beds are big, but I should be able to climb up in them...not really different from my raised bed garden. As far as sperate system, I really want to run it as one, but figured with concrete block I could sepetate the sump in two later if need be. Perhaps do it up front and add some big pipe between the two that could be capped off. Still not sure if there will be fish in the sump or not...I'll play that by ear.

Mark

Sloped areas are great too because you can use the slope. Is there an area that ISN'T good for aquaponics? No.

You're right Gemmel, but jeez it's a lot of work just to make a flat spot to sit a tank and a GB - and when you have four of them, the work goes up correspondingly.

Much easier to just drag it somewhere and drop it there.

However, yes, I only need one pump so that's a definitely plus and when the FT is down the bottom of the slope, it significantly decreases the opportunities for flooding disasters.

Hey Mark,
If you are looking at Concrete and block maybe you should check out Synaptoman's threads. I am attaching a picture from one of his projects. It is really cool!
KM

While waiting on the HOA to approve plans, I scored two poly tanks (ICBs) today. I love craigslist! So now I can start on a small system and get it cycling right away! Have to level an old flower bed then cut and position tanks. Should be able to get started this weekend! I figure I'll cut the top third off both for GBs, bottom of one of them will be ST and the other bottom the FT. Once the GH is built, everything will be transplanted to it and then I can move this one. Now what are the problems starting a system in late winter? Should I wait until it is warmer to get fish and will it even cycle while temps are still shifting around 40-50?

Thanks
Mark

Almost ready to cut into these bad boys. Any advice on cleaning? One was said to hold fertalizer and both were used to hold water during hurricain Ike. I figure the FT will just be elevated with concrete block. I'll need to build a stand to hold the two grow beds over the ST. I also read some people are painting them - does that really help with UV protection?

Mark

Not from direct experience, mind you, but paint has got to be better than nothing.
Best would be soil
Then carpet has been used in some notable systems
Bamboo shades/doormats would offer protection between carpet and paint, but might have the best eye appeal - can you tie some on like a hula skirt? No I mean on the IBC's.
Black contractor bags will soak up some infrared now and be removable for later.

I can pass thru your neighborhood on Sunday morning but I expect you'll be attacking these babies ASAP... I can bring 3-year Houston pond microflora, angle grinder etc. Even if you're gonna be at church, I can still drop off some bacteria and a sample of expanded shale on your doorstep.
I also have some aquarium gunk that's almost old enough to vote.

Rick

Hurrican ike how long ago was that if those tanks have been uncovered in the weather 3 to4 years they are probley had it by now if they look sus give the top a wack with a piece of wood or a kick in the side if it doesent crack use them