Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

2000 Gallon Swimming Pool; 12' metal frame, vinyl liner
10 - 300 Gallon grow beds filled with gravel
18'x40' homemade greenhouse
300 Gallon Sump Tank


I'm still in the planning stage, but I'm getting closer to a plan of execution. Ever since the confirmation was received from a potential Aquaponics partner, I've been intensively reviewing all the systems on the forum. It's GO time. The system is schedule for late spring.

i think you might want a bigger sump, are you planning on using a spidervalve to fill the gb's?

Agreed - bigger sump would be good. I was orginally leaning toward a concrete sump, but figured for about the same price I could get a rainwater cistern intended for burial. They include a hatch for climbing into them and work out to be about a dollar a gallon. Not a bad price and are sealed up nicely to keep junk out of them.

Anyway - I like the plan! Good luck.

Hay there.

Yes, you either need a bigger sump or to use an Aquaponics Indexing valve. But using the aquaponics indexing valve can be challenging unless you go with the CHOP 2 design so you can pump from the sump to the grow beds as well as the fish tank.

What sort of containers are you planning for your grow beds?

Instead of a larger sump you could go for some GBs as constant flood and others a F&D.

Yes, the sump was a quick-sketch item. Once I included that into the works, the question of a spider valve came into mind. The simpler answer, as you guys have stated, would be a larger sump, and I am fond of the buried cistern.

The initial goal of the system is for personal consumption, further aquaponics skill-building, and perhaps a foot in the door for business. Hence, the possibility of specializing in a select few plants is still under consideration.

I'll be away from the forums for a bit, as I'm leaving the country for work abroad (unfortunately, not highly paid work, but free travel, room, and board; so I guess that makes up for it).

As recommended, I have "The Upside of Down", along with a long list of books on tape (working in the lab long hours). I'll be back in about 3 months.

One quick question about the F&D GBs.

Is it mostly a matter of timing to get the GBs drained at the end of a cycle, or are there leak-valves that drain once the timer goes off?