Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well, I have been lurking for a couple of months whilst I sorted things out.
My system is up and running now - less the fish. Hopefully pick up 100 Jades mid january.

I bit the bullet and got a 240ac feed down to the tank. My solar system is almost up and running, so I hope to avoid deaths from power failure.

The tank has had a few comets and hundreds of guppies for some time now, so hopefully enough ammonia to get the bacteria started. Having said that I tested for ammonia and registered < 0.1ppm, so maybe not. PH was just under 7. I planted a few veggies just to see what happens - even though the nutrient level must be close to zero.

In the end I used $99 specials - fibreglass baths - from Bunnings - for my growbeds. They are an irregular shape, so the stands are sloped so the water runs to the plughole. But very robust and the right price.
In Jan I am ordering a food-grade plastic trough for a fourth growbed.

Used 20mm Red river gravel. I see why you need to clean the gravel! It was full of a red sludge. I used the protective wire casing from a pedestal fan to "pan" the gravel in a container of water. Very effective cleaning tool.

The gravel was pretty exxy but its smoother then the grey stuff and has a wider variety of minerals which is probably good for the veggies to suck on. My 3 beds used half a metre of the stuff.

The auto-siphon is working 100%. Takes about 8 minutes to fill the header tank with 500l water. Then the siphon kicks in and empties it in 4.5 mins.
That's with the continuous flow pump still pumping in water at about half the exit flow rate. I have the pump on a timer - 30 mins on, 15 mins off.
This is to conserve Solar power. 24/7 @ 100w is a very expensive solar system!

I'm using 25mm plumbing in the beds. The cross pieces were about the most expensive part of the whole thing!. I used 25mm because anything smaller would impede the exit flow from the header tank and affect the dynamics of the siphon. btw, its essential for reliable operation of the siphon that the siphon pipe extends significantly below the base of the siphon in the header tank (the low water mark).

So - can't wait for the fish!

Jamie

Hey Jamie, I have seen 25mm pressure crosses as cheap as $2 and as dear as $6.50. Pays to shope around

The siphon:
The cover is just sitting on the siphon pipe (40mm). The wire cage keeps it in position. I wanted an easy way to pull it apart and change dimensions if required.

Ho Monya - yep I think I paid top dollar!
There's a great Irrigation shop on Moss St (south Brisbane) that sells all kinds of groovy plumbing at reasonable prices. But they ran out of stock
Went to a Pump shop on Moss st that charged like a wounded bull.

Grow Beds 1:

Growbeds 2

Grow beds 3

Grow Beds 4

System

That is sweet. Is that an old AG pool as a fish tank?

Yes - 10,000 litres. Bit over the top in size and maybe the fish fins will puncture it But relatively cheap.
Lets see how it survives

I reckon you should double your fish order!

Not surprised, looks like you already had all their stock , nice system(s) neatly put together - you've been an AP sleeper on us

Thats really cool Jamie,what a good spot for your system.
Must be really relaxing in all that greenery.

Great Progress... our quiet achiever. (I might try making my big system someday ).

I Like the look of those timber stands, very neat. They all line up perfectly, good work.