Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

No I haven't thought of that, it would definately give me more fish growing space...
I read somwhere that the ratio of GB to FT volume should be 4:1... I's that correct? Would I have to have an added biofilter to help the growbeds clean the water?

I do Bob,
Because of my stomach problems, I'm unable to eat most solid or greasy foods... Although, sometimes when I see something really tasty, I eat it and suffer the consequences. lol

Sorry Bob,
I forgot to metion the recipes... I don't really use a recipe, just throw what I have at the time in the juicer. drink it down. If I find something I don't like I don't use it again. :-)

Typically I use carrots a lot, with Romain lettuce, cucumber, and an apple or orange for sweetness. I add beets turnips or other fruit or veggi like asparagus for variety. I also use radish, a lemon or lime or a little ginger for variety as well. I replace the apple with a peach or plumb sometimes.

For breakfast I have carrots, grapefruit and orange or carrot, orange and mango. Most times I alternate breakfast with eggs for the protein. I do the same with one of the lunch or dinner meals using fish. I do OK with most seafood or fish. Nothing with high fiber, no breads or anything greasy.

It's helped keep my weight down. I went from 244lbs to 187lbs when I started using the juice meals. I never wanted to be a vegetarian, but it looks like I was forced to be.

It really isn't GB to FT volume. It is more of getting the proper amount of grow beds for how much fish you feed. You can have 2000 gallons of FT with only a few fish and only need one grow bed. But if you have 100 fish in 300 gallons you are going to need lots of grow beds.

Understand, My intention is to start with a few catfish and bass from the local river, then move to the 100 tilapia later. I'm also intending to adding vertical beds, and some NFT pipes as I go along too. So if I combine the IBCs, and stock it with the tilapia when adding GBs, I'll be using my water test as my main growth and maintenance guide. Correct...

Yes just use the water test to determine what you need to do next.

I started with bass and perch from my pond. I now have about 70 adult tilapia and no idea how many fry (at least 450), probably a lot more. I just test my water and if my ammonia is up at all I don't feed, if I have high nitrates I add more plants, if high nitrites I do a partial water change. I am fairly new at this also, so if I am doing it wrong someone will be along shortly to correct me.

In one of my many past occupations I worked at a water treatment plant... I've also built large scale salt and fresh water aquariums over the years. Most tanks need partial water changes to remove nitrates. A good Aquaponics system may be a combination setup.

My thoughts were to use a vortex filter and the bio filter along with the GBs to adjust the nitrates in the water. Adjusting the flow through the filters and just adding rainwater to replace evaporated water, should keep things pretty level without water changes. I was also going to install an existing header system which I had in a darkroom to allow temp monitoring and diverting water to different parts of the system.

I know this is not keeping things simple, but I like the flexibility to experiment and try different configurations. With my computer experience, I might even throw in a pc and electronic controls like we used at the water treatment plant.

I have not had to do any water changes since my system cycled, but I am sure I will need to eventually. I am going to add some solids removal filter of some sorts, but not sure exactly what yet.

I kind of liked this setup


This system is like a mini clarifier which we used at the water treatment plant.

So far on this thread I have learned a lot about my initial system design. Some very useful changes have been suggested which I am going to take full advantage of.

What I've found out:

I can eliminate my filter and sump tank and use the GB as the Biofilter
Connect my two IBCs for more useful utilization of the tank real estate
Use larger pipe as long as possible and reduce where needed
Return pipe should be larger than supply pipe

Through reading more in the forum, I have also found out the solids can be broken down by adding worms to the GB.

How am I doing so far?

Sounds like you got a good plan.

Few things about that video we've discussed in the past on the forum. 1- don't use wd40 to get your pipe through a uniseal in AP. 2- using those big metal heat claps is over kill, you could probably fix the prob with sealants. 3- some people think the cone is unnecessary.

Thanks DrLuke,
I'm beginning to realize the whole vortex system, may not be needed on my system in the first place. I'm going without it first, and then will make changes if needed. It's easier than building something I don't need, and then realize I have wasted my time and money.

I will be putting one of these deer feeder funnels in the bottom of my swirl filter.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... =329212102