Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am in the planning stage of my first AP setup. I've been looking over designs, watching videos, sketching things out for several months but my busy season is coming to an end and I plan on getting this thing up and going.

I have a green house that is 10x12 that is not currently setup but the plan is for everything to go in there. One of my issues will be dealing with the high temps here in East Tennessee. We have several months in the high 80's to mid 90's that I will have to deal with some how.

Anyway, the image below shows the materials that I have collected over the last several months to get up and running. The materials in the image comes up to only 202 gallons of GB's and my FT is a 275g IBC tote. I know that makes my ratio off, but I am struggling to figure out how to add more GB's in the space provided. The GB's that are marked C are the 30 gallon barrels cut in half length wise.



I would love to run a CHIFT PIST and thought about using two 55 gallon barrels connected by a couple PVC pipes as a sump tank of sorts but I am a little worried about burying something like this and it not end up leaking.

I am also a little confused as to how I can get a SLO drain to pump out and go the two different routes to the GB's. (The black lines in the image show the drains.)

Looking at what materials I have (and maybe suggesting some more) what can I do to make this a successful AP system? How would I accomplish a SLO drain to feed all of these GB's given the layout? Also, a 275g IBC tote for a FT will weigh a ton - what can I do to maybe raise that up a little more so my GB's dont have to be so low?

Thanks for your help.

Hi DntBrnDPig

Looks like you have it well planned.

The only ratio you need to worry about is fish to filtration. No more than 3kgs of fish to 100 litres of filtration (and that is max).

With your SLO. You could try two separate SLOs making sure they are pretty close to level where they exit the tank or a single SLO which splits with a T piece as it exits the tank so it can supply water to your two banks of growbeds.

Thanks, I figured since I will have around 200 gallons (700 liters) of GB's that would mean I could have 21 kgs of fish (~46 lbs) max.

I was thinking two SLO's, but would be worried about getting them perfectly level. I guess if I didnt get them perfect I could control the flow with valves.

With 200 gallons of GB, I was thinking about scrapping the 55 gallon barrels for a ST and going with a 150 gallong rubber maid stock tank (http://www.tractorsupply.com/rubbermaid ... ty-2229919) instead.

Any input on raising the fish tank? I was thinking a 275 gallon FT would weigh a bunch, not sure what could support it.

For raising the fish tank you could use besser blocks, limestone blocks or build a sand pad. Dont make it too high so it is difficult to harvest your fish.

I have seen those tanks you refer to in use on this forum many times before. They should be fine.

21kg (46 ilbs) (at harvest size) sounds like a good number. If each fish is 500g at harvest time that equates to 42 fish. Not sure a 275 gallon tote is large enough for that many fish.

Yeah, I didn't think it would be big enough for 40 fish. If I cut that in half, would that produce enough for the veggies?

It most certainly will.