Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

This is my trial system it cost me about $50

300L fishtank modified

Herbs.

And this is my work in progress I started by salvaging a 2250L tank that had been hit by a fork lift and had a small hole about 200mm from the bottom of the tank, it also had a 110mm hole at the top for intake water.







I plastic welded the holes in the tank and after about 10 hours and numerous burns the tank had no leaks
Most of the timber was donated by a roof tiler and I spent a further $18 on screws and a few extra bits of wood. I then spent $30 on pvc piping and fittings for the bell siphon and return.
I got a price on scoria $185 a cubic meter but don't know if that's a good price?
and I also need to think about the pump I'm going to use, I don't want flow issues when I extend with a further grow bed running off the side of this system.This bed will be added when I get closer to fully stocking the tank with Barra. For the meantime I am thinking about using scoria to half fill the grow bed then use orchid pots filled with hydroton and then burying them half way into the scoria.I think this will make it easier to plant and harvest as the scoria is very hard on the hand not to mention a small root system as it is being planted. I can raise my seeds in small pot with a rock wool block and hydroton then plant that straight into the grow be without disturbing the root system at all.
I intend to cover the frame with hard wood decking and bend some ply around the grow bed to cover it up and to block the view underneath the grow bed.

The Mrs has now asked for a final cost and i'm not to do any more work on my system until she gets it.
I would love to here what people think of it and any ways to improve it or any suggestions on what pumps to use.

That's a neat setup Herb! Lots of water volume there. I don't think I've seen a rainwater tank with the lid cutoff ala an IBC setup before. The only thing I'm wondering is it looks like the frame under the lid is made of 2x2s, have you filled the lid with water to see if it will support the weight? Also it might be hard to reach the siphon in the middle. I also like to use net pots to hold the plants and to make them more mobile, the roots will grab into the media once planted though. Keep the pictures coming!

Hey Herb, yeah I think Dave may have a point, it's not a lot of support considering that there will be perhaps more than a ton on there if it's filled with rock and water. I have a feeling that the lid will deform quite a bit when you fill it up, dunno how that will go..

I thought the same thing with using 45mm x45mm timber.I filled the lid yesterday to check that my bell siphon worked, the frame didn't flex at all, but I intend to put a ply skin on it and when it gets covered with decking as well I think and hope it will be quite ridged. It is a pain having the siphon in the middle but with the shape of the top I don't have much choice so I intend to make a work platform off one of the sides to give easy access to the grow area and siphon. I thought it would be getting up around a ton on the stand with the grow bed being 300mm deep and 1700mm wide.
fingers crossed

Also I have the lid well supported on the frame with loads of packers and it seems to be holding its shape now, with only water in it I guess Ill have to wait and see.

Fill it with water herb and see how it goes as its filling up.

Looks good thou mate, keep on crackin and keep us posted.

hehe....I thought this thread was about herbs...hehe

Got the most important step of the build out of the way, my landlord gave my project the OK and extended my lease for a further 12 months.
I was a little concerned that they wouldn't approve of the size or location of my system, huge relief to find out they loved it, they even suggested using solar to run it.

I have a problem in my trial system My PH went down to 5.8. I am still waiting for my Freshwater Master Test Kit so I have no idea what my levels are. 2 fish dead and the plants look like crap. I have a brick in the tank for the pump to sit on, could the brick be buffering the PH?

I'll post the water tests as soon as the kit arrives.

Do you guys use anything to maintain ph like crushed oyster shells? or do you let your systems steady themselves?

appreciate any advice
Herb

IS it a concrete Brick..?

If so remove it.. the Lime is leaking from the brick..

a clay Brick I'm not to sure..

Juergen

It is a clay brick but I did recycle it. best to remove it just to be sure.

thanks Juergen

I have done some more work on my project, I added more support and I got a IBC for a sump and another grow bed of course.


After I cut the IBC it will fit under the 1.7M side grow area about 500mm from the main tank. It will also act as further support.

Normal house bricks should be fine, I've had them in my fish tanks for many years without a problem.. Besides, if anything it would be bringing the ph up. First thing, don't panic that ph is about what all our systems run at. swinging ph by rapid additions could be more harmful to your fish.

Yep, get hold of some shell grit and stick it in your system, a mesh pot hanging under your return pipe is ideal for it.... :thumbright