Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been learning how to use Sketchup, so I thought I would draw a model of my planned expansion. Let me know what you think?





Sketchup rocks!

Simo, what's the function of the two IBC's ? I assume the buried one is a sump, so what's the other for ?

I am so jealous of your sketch up skills. Wish I could be half as good.

Sweet sketch up simo!

I just cant work that thing out

The buried one is the sump, the other one is because I had the space, the idea is to use it to grow duck weed for the SP and gambusia/glass shrimp for the trout, I might even end up using it for yabbies or a purge tank. The more water volume I have the more stable the sytem will be I figure

Yep, makes sense - took the same philosophy into putting my setup together.

Your design looks good !

Sweet looking design Simo. Your system is gonna rock!

That dudes got a really blank look on his face... I dont think he's impressed.

He's in shock at the size of those fish maybe?
nice sketchup!!!!


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I was once young and stupid, i'm not so young now

In shock at the work in front of him. Did not see the in built easky, that may be the problem.

Great sketch up.

sink + ice = esky

Well I started the expansion.

First I leveled and retained a pad for the FTs to go on, this time I chose a spot that does not recieve as much sun, is close to the power source and is built up to take advantage of gravity distribution (CHIFT PIST).



Then I pumped the water from the old FT to the new FT and transfered the 9 SP nd moved the old FT which is now the trout tank to its new home.



Now I could dig out the old ST and fill in the hole and level the terrace where the GBs are going to go.

Now to move the 2 x 1000L GBs to their new positions, at first I tried to do this while still full od the expanded clay so I could keep my mature plants. They were emptied of water and I used a block and tackle and some ramps. I got one to move and into pospition by digging out 1/4 of the gravel but the other was a nightmare so just emptied it out moved it emply and they refilled.

Upgraded the trout tank SLO to 90mm pipe using my first uniseal (man I love these things) and used the old SLO outlet as an over flow which drains exess water in the system (such as when it rains heavy) to a swale up hill from my orchard.



Plumbed Silver perch tank SLO to trout tank with 90mm

New ST which pumps to SP FT which drians via 90mm SLO to Trout FT which drains to GBs again with 90mm pipe.