Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

While I am working on the revamped water top-up system, I am noticed that I seem to keep blowing the airlines apart.

I have an Aqua One SR12000 pump, which according to the spec's does 1900L/hr (32L/min). I have each of the 4 outlets, being split into 2, and then going through non-return valves to 2" air stones (8 valves and stones in total). I also have the pump dialled down to about 50% (according to the dial).

The piping seems to be blowing apart at the T piece between the air pump and the non-return valves.

I know I can just clamp the air hoses, but before I do that I'm trying to work out if it is still too much air for the system, and whether the pipe's seperating where they are is because of the non-return valves being too restrictive, or whether the whole system is overloaded and that just happens to be the weakest point in the plumbing.

Any thoughts anyone??

sounds like too much pressure, try running one or 2 lines without stones..

Trying a different style of air stone to see if that makes a difference.

Now for the update...

I'm finally starting to see some plant growth (as opposed to plant death).



Some of my previous crop has either died, or just not done well. But I suspect most of it was due to planting summer plants too late in the season. So I have just planted out the beds with winter plants, including:

Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Beetroot
Snow peas
Beans
Cos Lettuce

Not sure how well they are all going to go, but we'll see.

The chilli plants I put in previously seem to be getting going now as well.

My assistant is starting to enjoy the working on the system as well.



No fish as yet, but soon hopefully.

Some more photo's of the growth.

So like all good AP'ers who have a system up and running (or maybe waiting for fish like me), I've been thinking about the next step.

To expand or not to expand, that is the question

I am fairly happy with the size of the existing system, so I was thinking of trying something a little different, and wanted to know what people thought.

I was thinking of setting a second (separate system up), but instead of growbeds, using something like half a blue barrel with some sort of media to grow fruit tree's in them. I would also probably use the second system to grow strawberries and maybe some herbs in towers.

I was thinking of using another IBC for the fish tank (as they are fairly easily to get a hold of, and cheap), but probably run something like silver perch in it (or maybe something ornamental).

What do people think of the idea???

Yes...yes...yes...I've been thinking that any new landscaping I did would be an AP setup. If I want some flower beds somewhere, make them growbeds instead and put in a small koi pond. If some food production gets sorted in with the pretty plants, even better!
It seemed kind of along the lines of what you were thinking when I started typing...maybe not.

There is a system that incorperates the plants around pretty much the entire house but damed if I can remember whos it is (Ill do some searching this week) and its just fantastic, all kinds of fruit trees and flowers and plants etc.

Some great vids too

Time to go digging through the archives.

im sure ive seen this done somewhere with success. i want to grow some kaffir lime and normal limes so thinking about doing something similar.

for herbs i was thinking about putting a 1/2 BB cut long ways on top of my IBC fish tank. or ive seen some long low troughs in bunings that maybe suitable.

im still at the setting up stage at the moment tho so its still a ways off before i give it to much thought.

It is good to see a thread like this
It has been too long between visits!

From 'Hubby'

Woo Hoo. Got a call from Troutman last night. My fingerlings should be delivered on Tuesday.

I guess i'd better hurry up and fix the air problem (see previous post).

Now some questions.

What is the suggested / recommended feeding regime for trout fingerlings?? And should I let them settle for a period before I start feeding them??

Secondly, to what level should I salt the tank (if at all). I seem to recall 3ppm being suggested.

G'day Sam,
My first post.

I've enjoyed reading your posts on your set-up.
I'm in the "thinking" stage of making a system, and doing the research at the moment.

Anyway, back to your posts:

If you haven't fixed the auto tank filler set up yet, you may simply be able to lift your mounting clamp up 3 inches, and bend the shaft to the float, downwards, until it reaches the required height. I use to do the same, to reduce the water level in an old toilet cistern, whehn it had a growing crack at the top.

Cheers

Welcome to the forum. The main reason I created this thread was the document my 'stream of consciousness" and get others input as I go. It also provides a nice record for others such as yourself. For anyone starting out I would suggest you doing the same as it both helps solidify your own thoughts, as well as gets input from the collective (which I have found to be valuable).



Thanks for the suggestion. I had thought of doing this, but in the end opted to replace the whole unit for an all plastic unit.

Woo Hoo. I have trout

Gavin delivered 30 around lunch time. Let the growing begin.

PICS!!!
and thats all i have to say

You know the rules.... Pics or it didnt happen...