Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Just thought I would post my new system and a few headaches I went through in getting it to this point. I'll try to post a few pictures if I can. I did a ton of looking around and saw a bundle of systems I wanted to keep mine fairly clean and small to start if things work out Ill start upgrading. built mostly of pressure treated lumber 1 sheet of 1/2" plywood and 6mil contractors plastic. the two hardest parts I encountered where the bell siphons and choosing an inexpensive grow media. on one website pea rock was acceptable but after filling one side I felt the wait would be too much. did some more research just to find out that the pearock I choose is limestone... vacuum it all out and start looking for another media. Finally found Expanded Shale and picked up a yard of it for under $80 hopefully my last large expense in this. for now everything is working fine and am hoping to pick up tilapia next weekend, I just need to do some more research on water quality before I put them in.

Looks fantastic.

What type of fish are you planning?

You could probably shorten those bells if you wanted to hide them a bit.

Oh...and welcome to the forum

I shortened them this evening but not much and haven't taken a new picture yet. I would like to put tilapia in for fish. Hoping water quality drops in PH by weekend plus I need to research where the water needs to be chemically before I can add fish and veggies.

When your happy with your plumbing and syphons etc you can plant straight away and get your system cycled before adding the fish.

search "fishless cycling"

Very neat and tidy system

Welcome to AP

Ph finally dropped a couple of days ago so i looked around for where i might find some fish to add nothing around except one place requiring an appointment $30.00 for 100 bluegill. 100 will be a bit too many for now so i ran to the pet store to pick up a few cichlids just to get the system running. If all seems to go ok i have plans to enlarge a small pond i have and plumb in some grow beds at that point i should be able to manage 100 bluegill.i have a few new pictures that ill try and post later tonight

I've been wondering why most people use pond liner instead of simple 6mil plastic as you've done. Is there a reason? Seems to me the plastic would hold up quite well and I'm guessing would not be toxic to the fish.

The pond liner over plastic is the UV safe in most case at least I hope..

the Plastic can break down after a time in the sun and if it fails you have the system leaking all over the place..

There's my 2cent's worth..

Nice system..

are your Bell's sitting to high.. I'm not to sure but they look a bit high..

Juergen

SnowT: I believe this system is plastic only, no pond liner. Does anyone have experience with how long their black plastic lasted before leaking? Also SnowT, you suggested pond liner over plastic. Is there a reason to put plastic under a pond liner? Can't you use pond liner alone given it's sitting on a structurally stable surface?

The liner is black 6 mil contractors plastic and yes in direct sunlight here in florida it might make it 2 years. I know because several years ago I made a stream and small pond in the front yard and thats about how long it lasted. The bells might be too tall because im having occasional issues with the system draining i have to lightly jiggle it sometimes to get it to drain after that it drains ok for a day. Right now my nitrates are @ about 10 nitrites are near 0 and PH is about 7.4. Im not certain where all the levels should be and the plants minus the cucumbers appear to have slowed in growth. So im not sure if the drainage is effecting this or my water quality. Any ideas.