Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi I'm new to this game.
I have just set up my system (no fish or plants yet)
What I would like to know is how long should it that to fload and how long to drian?

Many people fill for 15 mins and drain for 45min. Many timers are only avail on 15 min increments. It really depends on many factors like your pump flow rate, size of GB's etc. Nil point in filling for 15 mins if it only fills the gb halfway..... Just try some different rates that work for you.

Thanx for reply
It looks like I have everthing back to front.
I have a very small test system (FT 65l GT 45l)The GT is filled to 3/4. 8mm stone at the bottom 1/4 the rest with about4-5mm stone.
Pump is rated at 700l/h
I have made a type of Affnan siphon system, the drian pipe (siphonpipe) is 20mm and the outer pipe is 50mm with 4 20mm holes drilled at the bottom of the outer pipe.
Pump takes about 4 and half mins to fill the GT, and drains in about 1 and half mins.

I see you have siphon running and no timers. Ignore my other post. I dont think your fill and drain times are out of the ordinary but I am not that experienced in siphon fill drain. Mines on a timer...

I'm trying to figure out how to attached pic's of my system.

I have made some changes to my system.
Fload time is about 6 and half mins.
Drian time is about 2 mins.

How long should I wait before adding fish and plants?

Both could go in immediately.... plants certainly...

Some people prefer to cycle "fishless"... as it's less monitoring and stress...

Ok if you say so I'll get some seedings and plant them, I think a few koi's to start with.
Later maybe ge rainbow trout.

How do you add pic's?

I put fish in mine immediately after I buried my tank. It has been over 3 months now and I have not lost a single fish.