Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

No siphons involved, so hopefully 50mm pipes will be adequate. They seemed ok in my trial last night but the pipes have yet to be 'bioslimed'.

They will be fine mate. Im using 40mm returns and have never cleaned them

I have a couple of issues .

1. I have to shorten the GB standpipes but am not keen on using a hacksaw horizontally on a relatively unstable pipe because I reckon things could get messy. What do others use - angle grinder, reciprocating saw, crosscut saw? What about just cutting vertical slots in the standpipe down to the depth required?

2. I haven't drilled any holes in the base of the standpipes because at the time of GB construction I was thinking these holes were only required for flood and drain set-ups, not constant flood. Now that the pump is off and there is 100L of water sitting in each of the GBs (no media yet), I am wondering if all standpipes should have a drill-hole or two in them?

I used a hacksaw blade with tape on one side as a handle. Looking back, I would have used a slip union on the bottom of the barrel with a larger uniseal so I could pull out the standpipe when needed to trim things and such.

I went with the hacksaw, Ronmaggi. My standpipe cuts were all about 15deg off horizontal but at least it is done and water flows rather than overflows. I also retro drilled a couple of holes a few cms up from the base of the standpipes. The holes are angled sharply down because there was a disctinct lack of space in the drums to drill horizontally. I didn't get an answer to question 2 above so I just hope that this was the right move.

I always thought the hole was for timed f&d.

It certainly wont hurt PLJ.

The problem with not having one is that the water will eventually rot the roots if the pump dies. How long it would take to reach that stage i dont know, but it would be days i guess.

The problem with having it is that if your pump dies then your GB will empty. It only really a problem if you dont have the room to fit the water.

Either is not a major concern though if you check you have water flowing regularly

Actually not a concern at all IMHO.

That was my thinking as well, rsevs, but thanks for the confirmation.

My concern, now, is where to plant the fruit tree?

I would say between the pipe and spraybar.

I'd say probably anywhere but in the barrel... there's no room in the barrel(s)....

Can you make distribution pipes like Rons, might give you more room

Why not bend the PVC all the way around the drum instead of having a T?

Yea, like Ron's...

Haha, yeah, like bloody Ron's! I was impressed with Ronmaggi's efforts in that regard and initially aspired to emulate them, but then copped out when time (and energy) became short. Anyway, Ron's having some issues with his fancy, full-circle spray bars because at least one of them has been removed due to a blockage. Maybe the direct feed approach, without a spray bar/circle, is completely satisfactory.

I will just have to try to overcome my innate desire for symmetry and bung the fruit trees in anywhere I can. I suppose there is no reason why a few leaf vegies can't be grown around the fruit trees, at least while they are getting established, and these will help to cover my lack of aesthetics

Before I plant them, I should check that the trees chosen by the Princess of the Puddle are actually suitable for AP. Her current list of preferences includes:
-Mandarin
-Fig
-Grape
-Lemon
-Almond (How do nut trees fare in AP?)
- ... forgotten for now

Question.. regardless of trees selected... and assuming they grow well (of course)....

How long do you think the blue barrels will last before the root ball splits them... or warps/deforms them....???