Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Only comment I have is that I dont think that it is a good idea to have the main flow line from FT to GB below the outlets to the growbed. You have the valves heading up and over the edge of the GB from the main feed.This would leave the pipe full of water after your pumping till the next pump cycle and would allow the settling of solids to the bottom of the pipe. You could possibly run a small drain from the pipe to your sump to let it drain which is what I did as mine is a U shape to allow walk through. If you leave the drain pipe down the bottom of your sump you get a good syphon affect.

That's a good idea. The way I am rearranging the lines would make that very easy as well. Thank you. How often to you normally need to clean the lines out?

[quote="Greenhomesteader]
Also, I was wondering if anyone has tried PEX tubing. Think it usually comes with brass fittings which would be an issue. I want something flexible on the exhaust so that I can change it out to loop siphons and do flood and drain later on if I want to. Also, I think trying to hit all four of those outlets when I'm gluing it together without screwing it up will be a pain. PEX (if I could use it) would make it a lot easier and I could change to a loop siphon pretty easily if I chose to.

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You can get the PEX fitting in plastic also. Most of my system uses PEX, and I have all plastic fittings. But pex is not real easy to bend in a tight circle for a loop siphon.

I actually just changed that in the model last night for other issues. I was planning on running the pump continuously so I don't think it would really be an issue. The I'm going to run continuous flow to get started, but I think I'll switch the outlet to loop siphons later on. That does allow for time drain as well, though, thank you.

I did find this:

http://www.alliedpex.com/LITERATURES/Ma ... er_PEX.pdf

Which puts the minimum bend radius at 8x the OD of the pipe. With 24" GBs, I think that should be sufficient, It may not be easy, but I think it will work. The main reason I was looking at was for the flexibility of changing the system and taking up for misalignment issues.

You can also get a heat gun and bend it easier and tighter. Even if it looses some strenght in a siphon you don't need it to hold lots of pressure.

Helomech, I was looking into the PEX more and it says it breaks down from UV light pretty quick. How long have you been using it? Is it buried in the ground or exposed?

I have some buried and some exposed. I have had it at my chicken coupe in the sun for over a year now, but on my aquaponics it has been on there for about 6 months. No issues so far.

Ok, I'm trying to figure out what to skin my IBC cage which will be sunk into the ground. We have termite issues here, so it must be resistant to the little buggers. I'm also thinking I want to avoid pressure treatment / chemicals as we are hoping to go certified organic in the next couple years and any plants near the system would not be able to be certified organic. I'm also not sure what the minimum distance would be from the PT wood in the ground.

I've looked at sheet metal or some plastic sheet, but it's too expensive. I thought maybe some 3/4" cement board, but I'm not sure it would be able to withstand the weight of the ground. I thought about wrapping it in linoleum remnant and fastening the end together like a sleeve, but again, I'm not sure it would withstand the weight of the dirt.

I'm looking for suggestions.

-GH

A lot over here use roofing corrugated sheeting or anything similar.

I have this setup on my system. Have cleaned in out twice in 15 months.

Both times I didn't need to but too the opportunity as I was performing some other maintenance which required the manifold to be empty and this made the process quicker.

The board is supported by the IBC cage, so its a lot stronger than you think.

Do you mean this stuff?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051

They have it in Polycarb and PVC (about 40% cheaper) here. Would both work?

So it should be OK? Know anyone who has tried it or a system thread showing some one used it?

Ghengis used plywood, but I'd think it would rot over time : http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=307253#p307253

GnomeMan used cement sheets and some blue board : http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=298137#p298137


You can search some more yourself....


Scott