Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We currently have a 75G (284L) Fish tank and have been planning to add a sump for over a year, now we can add one and grow veggies!

I have access to some of 8 inch (200mm) pipe, and smaller quantities of 10(250mm) and 12(300mm) inch pipe, so I'm hoping I can make use of it, but I'll try to keep the GB at least 10"(250mm).

I'm having to design around the FT's current display height, but I think it's going to work out.

Here is my current plan:
CHIFT PIST - but modified so everything drains to the ST, and then gets pumped to the FT, GB, and back to ST for aeration. I think one of synaptoman's setups was like that but on an awesome scale!

35G (132L) trashcan serving as a sump
FT overflows into sump, FT water level is constant and it's survival is paramount! (or wife will kill me )
330GPH (1250lph) pump has output split up to refill FT, fill GB and most of the water sprays back into the sump to add O2
GB will have a constant slow flow then be dumped by a bell siphon (using an Affnan siphon)
I'll have the bell siphon in the middle of the pipe.

Some sketchup pictures!

I did not draw the drainage for the GB, (I just realized that) but I did not forget it.
The grey pipe (8" or 200mm) in the sump will have some simple filter media set into the top of it for catching solids, because I have a clean water pump and it's convenient.
I will probably put some sort of bio-media in it for the water to flow through as it comes from the fish tank, but mostly because I can cheaply.
The large pipe behind the FT will have two no holes overflows draining into it, and then water from the bottom of it will be gravity fed over to fall through the filter tower into the ST. The tower is tall to prevent the FT from draining more than a couple of inches in a HSM.

Hurray!

Chance

With the "grow bed" being the 8" pipe. If you are not planning to put media in it (and I don't really recommend that anyway) you might simply cut holes in that pipe and place plants in net pots or cups in the holes ala NFT growing. Might be easier than cutting the pipe all the way open anyway.

Also, instead of capping the ends, you might put elbows on the ends if the cost is not too great.

Keep up the good work!

I plan on using The largest pipe I can, (I think the 12") and cut the top out to get as much depth as I can. I want at least 9-10 inches (230mm-250mm) of depth.
I may use some of the 8" pipe later to add a NFT section, but that is in the future. I will be starting with a low stocked system and gradually increasing.

ok, so I might be able to get some really appropriately sized pipe! (Crosses fingers for 20" (500ml)) Or maybe a suitable fiberglass tank, so all planning is on hold until that pans out.

Also, I have access to an IBC, but my sunroom door is only 30" What do I do? Do I save it, do I just use the top for a GB and skip the pipe? I don't really know what I should do with it at this point, but it looks like I'll be needing a bigger sump

I'm starting to learn towards the NFT option, so it looks like I'll be using TCLynx's suggestion.

I got the sump together yesterday and the filter set up, and I took lots of pictures which I'll try to post tonight!

Pictures of the sump / filter!
Raw materials:
8" pipe

30gal commercial trash can:

8" drain grate:

Now we cut a ring off the end and cut a notch out of it:


Cut slots in the bottom for water to flow out of. There is going to be a ring in both the top and the bottom.

Make sure you have to really squeeze the ring to get it in, the pressure will help hold it in place:

When you are done glueing the rings in the grates will sit nicely in place.
Make sure you put the Bottom grate in before the top ring!!!!


The bio media will sit on the bottom grate inside the pipe, and some filter padding will sit on the top grate, water will flow in the top and out the bottom into the sump.

A picture with the lid cut to fit:

Bigger pictures on the web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/carroll.chance/SunroomAquaponics?feat=directlink


I cut a slot for the overflow pipe and it's looking good:

Only real problem is that lid is a pain to take off.....
I post pictures of the beds next time, they are starting to take shape!

Ok, figured out how to seal the ends of the pipe - hose clamping pond liner to the end leaked like no bodies business. I'll take pictures of how the grow beds are coming together tomorrow and hopefully have time to post.

what if you put a bead of safe silicone around the end of the pipe then the liner...???

jT

Some pictures of the filter in action:



And you can see how things are starting to come together...
The white tank / pipe on the bottom is to buffer the flow if more than one bed dumps at the same time.
Still have to get the third trough in place - ran out of silicone this evening.

Here you can see how the basket will sit in the pipe. I'm going to lay a piece on 3/4 inch in the bottom to help stablize the pots since I'm not cutting a hole for each pot (trust me, they need it).



And here is a little bit better look at the finished ends and the manifold in progress...

Thought I answered this earlier ... sorry.
I thought about it but I after I saw how badly it leaked initially I thought I'd spend the little bit extra to get it done faster. I'd have to let water sit in it a least a day before I'd trust it - however someone else on here has done the bucket trick before and I just added some silicone to it. (I believe I mentioned testing it earlier - although that was only ~ 5 hours it was pre-silicone )

I did a test fill with a hose and the siphon works great! also everything is bone dry (except where the hose fell out...) I know the siphon will act different with stuff in there it's just good to see something work!
I picked up some hose for free similar to what you used JT - but it's some weird size between 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" and I can't find a barb to fit it gonna suck it up and buy standard hose tomorrow.

Success! One tube is up and running - I'm a little short on sump capacity to get the other two up and going with out some careful testing......