Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My first aquaponics setup from scratch. I started with an IBC that used to have frozen orange juice in it. I then followed the IBC of Aquaponics guide to cut it into a grow bed and tank. My system is a continuos flow system which i cycle at night to minimise noise (neighbour complained of a draining water noise oops). The grow bed is separate from the tank to reduce the sunlight on the fish tank. It has been in for about 4 weeks now and we have 11 goldfish (various breeds including koi, comets and fantails). I will post some pictures and any hints or tips would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Loags

Welcome Loag.

We are all fans of pics here so dont be shy

With your water noise problem, you could have the drain pipe go straight into the water and use some kind of venturi to aerate it. I find that just draining the water straight down then a 45 into the water below the surface adds lots of air and has almost no noise.

Hi Loags, it is quite easy to minimise the noise of water splashing down on to the water surface by simply extending pvc pipe below the water line.
Welcome to the forum and look forward to seeing your pics.

Some photos to show you how it is going...

I have more photos of me actually making the system so will upload if anybody cares to see them. I am looking forward to adding some silver perch to my system once i get it running at full cycle.

Things i need help with:
1. should i be running it 24hrs a day or is it ok to cycle at night or other times?
2. Is my system cycling and are these readings ok?
Current levels are PH 8.2, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrite 5, Nitrate 10, PH of the tap water here is 8.
3. making the drain and venturi more quiet?

Thanks for your help guys i'm pretty excited about aquaponics and can't wait to harvest some fresh food.

Thanks Faye and Rsevs for the downpipe trick. Will give it a go.

1. You should not have any problems cycling your pump at night. Some considerations though, it would be wise to have additional aeration while your pump is not running. Also you should have your GB set to slowly drain so as not to drown your plants.

2. Yep your system is starting to cycle.

3. The easiest way to stop the noise is just put the pipe exit below the water. No venturi required, unless you would need/want more aeration.

Don't add any more ammonia... and don't add any fish until your nitrites fall to zero...