Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Went to my local irrigation shop this morning and found a cheaper and better way to connect SLO to grow beds. Incase of using a 90mm "T" and then reduce it twice to get 32mm and then connect ball valve onto that, I'm goint to get clamp saddles that has 32mm female thread, then just use a threaded connector and thread ball valve directly to the saddles. The saddles cost halve the price of the 90mm PVC "T's" and I don't need reducers any more.

Now it's the long wait till wedding is done then I can continue with AP system. Hopefuly I will be done by the end of the year.

Hey Jaco,
That looks like a real nice place to work. And a nice view out your backyard as well.

Long term AP systems have shown that in time, the water turns acidic <7.0 so the more experienced AP people suggest to keep all parts as PVC. Acidic water will deteriorate the metal and cause long term issues with the system.

Keep posting pics of your progress. What do you plan on using for media in the growbeds?

My blue barrels must all be on steroids then because they all want to curl inward...

Thanks Bill
I am planning to keep everything irrigation grade PVC except for the clamp saddles, they will have stainless steel bolts that wont touch any water.
I am going to use gravel and would also like to plant 1 grape vine in each grow bed and the try to make wine if they do grow, I'm not sure if the roots will take over my GB's but going to try it anyway.
Does anyone have experience with grape vines? Do you get good quality grapes?

Grape vines produce fruit on the second year. I can tell you the vines certainly grow!

Thats cool. How are the grapes? sweet?
I'm going to plant passion fruit vines as a wind break, would be a bonus if I get fruit.

I don't know yet, I planted them this year.

Did you plant them in separate growbed? How is the roots growing?

I used to have Swiss chard in with them, but the aphids decided that they liked them more than me, so I pulled them. Now there is a lowly basil cutting that has taken root in with them. I was attempting to use basil to deter the aphids. The roots have not made it to the siphon, but the vines have almost made it to my second story roof! I will plant something in front of them, but I'm not sure what yet. The chard was my most successful crop until the aphids became ant livestock, and they used the chard as their pasture. When the ant population declines I may grow it again.

systems looking good, cant wait to see some more pics !. and grape vines what a awesome idea. i was thinking i might add some barrels to my system and put a fruit tree in each one. with the grape vines you planing on constant height or flood and drain ?

Seeing that they grow so fast, I am only going to plant 2 instead of 6 vines.
I'm going to keep it tidy and train them on wires and prune them.

I like to make everything complicated so I will go with CHIFT PIST F&D system. I have also heard that grape vines does not like to stand in water at all, they love lots of water with very good drainage.
Here are some pics of the final spot for grow beds and with the poles for the wires to train vines onto.

On the left and right I am goint to train the grape vines and the front and back will have the passion fruit, reason for passion fruit is a wind break in the winter months when I get winds exeeding 100kph.

Horizontal poles in and wires tensioned.

Using H-braceing to keep poles upright.

GB stands in place for now, might change my mind and move them
I still have to find a container for the sump and then find a place for it...

Finished pole work on the weekend.