Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The world famous window...lol


Yes there is algae, that is due to Dad only just getting the insulated window finished and in place.


sorry for the bad pic

The water is very very clear, the green is only the light coming through the algae

the goldies are going great guns!!


And finally... the overall shot


Dad will get the lid done soon

That seat is one of four made from red gum for an outdoor setting!! they are very heavy!!

and finally a water test too.

looks like it has cycled. the PH just dropped out, nitrites back down, amm down but not zero, and nitrates are getting higher!!

I told dad to get a sock full of shell grit and leave it in the sump, that will buffer the PH nicely

One very cool system

Certainly makes a nice feature for the yard. You all can be proud of your effort. Cheers

Cheers fellas!!

I just wanted to say that this looks brilliant and well done!

thanks mate.

I have been working on a control system for this setup, i plan to get some photos, a full schematic and diagrams to explain the operation.

I built it tonight, tested it extensively with Dad and we are really really happy with its operation.

BASICALLY.............

it controls the main sump pump, when to pump, when to turn off, automatically shuts off before burning out the pump. also activates the backup aerator pump when power drops out and the Pièce de résistance... the Fish Tank Lights!!

thats enough of a teaser for now,

here are some water updates

02-11-2012


02-11-2012 and then we added a heap of shell grit in a sock!!


and today 13-11-2012 shell grit taking effect

Spent some time at Mum & Dad's tonight hooking up the new control system i made for them.

The lights are fully operational, the backup bilge aerator is also fully operational and activates as soon at the power supply senses mains power fail and switches over to battery.

The control float switches should be installed and hooked up by the weekend and then the sump pump will be completely automated and the system will function a whole lot better!!!

I'm hoping to get some photos soon, i just spoke to Mum and apparently the lights just make everything look even better!! she took some photos and just waiting for the email. If all goes well i'll get a video done as well.

the control box!!



plugs directly into 240V power source (currently just an extension lead but will be eventually UPS backed up).
Pump (or pumps) plugs into external power point.

the three switches allow manual operation of the three main parts of the system.

Left: Manual override for Sump Pump... this switch will trigger pump but only until lowest limit float switch allows so as to not burn out the pump.

Centre: Manual switching of backup aerator/bilge in fish tank.

Right: LIGHTS!!!!! yes we have LIGHTS!!!!!

the guts!!



big relays... top switches backup aerator/bilge pump, bottom switches both the active and neutral for the Sump Pump.

Little relay boards, left controls the sump pump relay via the four limit float switches and the right activates the aerator bilge relay

connections at the bottom are the lights, switches, float switches, aerator and mains fail monitoring. Top connection is just the 12V DC power distribution.

Its not as neat as i would like but its Dad's... mine will be really neat...lol

Very impressive, and the best I have been able to wire up is the temp controller for my fermenting freezer

Looking great Iceman, love the system.

Did i mention LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm hoping to get better pics tomorrow night, hopefully they turn out well.








Please excuse the green colour... the lid didn't go on until after there was a bit of algae growth... its under control now... nothing a good scrub won't fix