Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

While I've gotten lots of advice on here designing a system for the backyard (Thanks!), I'm restles and have lots of leftover aquariums and such sitting around. So, I went scrounging and not having the room to setup a real aquarium with a whole AP setup, I decided to work with these guys:

The cylinder is 3 gallons and will be the FT, the mini bows are 1 gallon each and will be growbeds and the storage bin is 2 gallons and will be the sump. I've got an unused powerhead around here somewhere that should flow plenty if it will pump high enough. Tests are in order.
And I've got LEGOs. Lots. So, I'll use those for the structure. Snazzy!
Shouldn't take to long too build and I'll post pics as I progress.

Mate, thats a bloody little ripper!

I cannot wait to see it!

What a cracker!

Very eager to see how you set it up! I want to do a tiny system like that for my mom.

Some pictures as it progresses:
The main structure:

Powerhead in sump:

Going to try some baby Affnan siphons 3/4" to 1/2" cpvc adapters. 1" schedule 20(thin wall) pvc fits over it nicely:

This will be a CHIFT PIST setup with a SLO out of the fish tank going straight out to the grow beds. I guess with this small a tank, I'll be stuck with just guppies and maybe a Oto catfish for algae control until a nutrient balance is achieved. Even goldfish would be too big quickly. Maybe a pretty crawdad if the guppies are smart enough to stay out of his reach.

Now thats dam cool Jimbo!

Love your work. Goes to show there is no limits when it comes to AP.

And, some bio-cheating. Mesh bags with some river rocks for the growbeds "percolating" in my 120 aqauarium. And the little guy in front of the bags is my new kribensis cichlid to replace my old one in my avatar.

The water for this little system will come over from the same tank as well as 3 guppy girlies. Will have to find a bachelor to keep them on their toes...er, fins?

Cool! Bookmarked! The size is perfect for an educational display system. Cant wait to see more!

Did alot of watching and grumbling today as water pumped up, flowed over and achieved equilbrium flow. I changed from using the cpvc reducer and pvc bell to using a cut off plastic bottle like Affnan has on his blog. This gives me a bigger funnel to start the flow down the siphon and then use the remainder of the bottle as the bell over the siphon. Recycle, reduce, REUSE! This has definitely been more reliable but the little powerhead I have doesn't flow enough to start the siphon on both growbeds. So, I will probably flood and drain one and trickle a little water through the other one as a continuous flow bed.
More pictures will come as I make a little more progress. Got to shake some of today's frustration first.

Thats sensational Jimbo, two of my favorite things, LEGO and AP! Add a micro remote control submarine and you may have created the coolest thing ever!

How funny would it be if you make a water wheel out of the lego/technics but are the logo food grade

I don't know if there food safe, but it must be a million times I've had to seperate them with my teeth with no observed ill effects.

Are you using lego as media?

Large surface area, natural colour, perfect.

you can probably find out if its food grade, but it probably is because its a kids toy.

Awesome idea! Would be great for kids to learn about aquaponics too. Or a little system with coolness factor to fill a space.

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I was planning on using somee river rock pebbles for media, but now I'm thinking about the LEGOs, Bullwinkle. Probably the most expensive media ever. I have a bunch of decorative glass chunks and marbles like people use in a betta bowl, but I figured the lack of porosity would be lousy for the bacteria buddies. Same with the old plastic bricks, I'm guessing.