Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Why do people contiually think that a sump has to be a IBC or !/2 IBC buried . Here I use a BB which is only buried couple of feet. Has sump pump, also excess of rainwater flows in here to top up system (if required). It is even possible to have a group of IBCs all on level ground (or concrete floor) and make the end one the Sump. If you dont like sump pumps just put a float switch on your existing pump.

Thanks for your replies

I wasn't sure about temperature of fish tank being inside greenhouse - advantage or not - looks like I'm going outside

The reason I want to bury is because I want the greenhouse barrels to be as low as possible to allow for growth height in the small greenhouse.
Having the fishtank buried outside was for 3 reasons:
1. draining into it
2. for temperature control (buried is better?)
3. to allow a seat ontop

I could bury a couple of blue barrels inside below the growbeds, but then I still have to have the pump outside in the fishtank.
In this design the growbeds would have to be just above the fish tanks outside.

Today I found some plumbing fittings on special as our local hardware is changing over to bunnings and they are clearing non stocked items.

I'm going to use 32mm for this system:
5 x T's - 5$
10 x 45degree - 10$
7 x couplings - $3.57
9 x valve socket $3.78 (for standpipes)

Thought it was a bargain.

Cleaned out one of the IBC suger syrup tanks - no where near as hard as rice syrup. Came straight off with a normal hose.

Looking good to me, and yes you want to bury the tanks to get the growbeds lower. Mine are too high because I was lazy

It is about water volume. That makes for more stability, and fewer water top ups. It does not have to be half buried, mine is 100% buried...

The setup as you show, IMO would be just fine. ONLY......Lift the IBCs to sit on top of the ground and pump from the sump up into the IBC and gravity feed to the GBs. Use insulation to wrap the tanks up if you want, makes it a darn side easier when want to add extra tanks.
The sump (BB) top only has to be at the same level as base of GBs. Saves on pump head hight and digging.

Cool that could work (minus a seat).
Its really a toss up between where to put the sump pump.

If I did that can I run a pipe from the tanks down below the path level and back up to growbeds?

Yea for sure. A good way to do it, so you dont trip over the pipes or for maintenance, is to run them down a trench and put gutter guard over the top.

Something like this?



I'm still really wanting to drop the tanks down a tad because I want to keep them below the vege garden raised behind them.

THE VERY TOP OF THE TANK WILL BE 750MM FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GREENHOUSE (at the most I can have it out of the ground)

Will this be enough for 1/2 barrel and pipework clearance with a fall from fishtanks? I dont think so because of the outlet will be lower and then the barrels will be too close the the floor.

I'm now thinking of just burying them until there is a suitable lid height for a seat 500 or 600mm.

Do you bury the pallet part?

Could I use the top half of the IBC's as a growbeds (300mm) and have 2x 700litre fish tanks?

The questions we ask when we don't know what we are doing yet ;P

Just keep asking. Silly questions are easily fixed, unlike silly mistakes. On burying tanks just remember your not in the extreme US climate.

No reason you cant take the IBC pallet base off to lower overall height. I would still leave the pressed metal part at the base of the tank for protection.

If you dont want expense of guttering, use a piece of 100mm sewerage pipe buried and run your pipes thru it.

""""Its really a toss up between where to put the sump pump.""""" Not really, would go in the BB same as my photo above. If you look at it again you will see that I have a "Mega Syphon" going into it. (thats the bit in 90mm) which has 12meters of grow beds running with one standpipe. Now F&D as I have removed the Syphon.

You make the hole big enough for the cage but you don't need the pallat bottom, as the bladder can sit on the dirt. Then you need some old corrugated iron sheets or such around the outside of the cage so that dirt will not move in and crush the bladder

Good good - thanks fellas.



okay okay - so I ran into the trouble where the blue barrel runs dry before the beds can drain into it (In my other system). That was with a bigger pump and non return. So I would need a small pump and/or a return to sump Teed off with tap.

I just need to check the level of the fish tank will be sufficient to fall into the overflow pipe, run under the ground and back up again into the greenhouse, and be able to feed get the barrel. IN A 'U' Shape yeah? So the pipe will be full of water all the time.

** I've done some measurements.

By my calculations the top of the growbeds (280mm tall) could be about 700mm off the bottom of the greenhouse floor leaving enough room underneath for pipes connections, falling to sump, and repairs.
I think I might just be able to bury the IBC enough to get a reasonable seat/resting place with some merbau decking doubling as a lid.

Everyone cried foul when I just used heavy construction plastic instead of corrugated tin around my IBC frame. It has been successfull however. Much like airplane skin, it is enough to do the job. I used my pallet on top of the IBC frame to help support the weight that was put on top of it.

Picked up 10 Barrels Today.
I had an idea for not using a bottom standpipe.
Could you just make it overflow over the edge (cutout lower to the correct level)?
Could you have small drain holes in the bottom in the diameter of the gravel guard
so just 'overflowing' from the edge?
This way you could get away with just drilling holes for drainage.

This method would eliminate siphon and would just be constant flood or FD.

You would need to direct the overflowing water some how to the carrying pipe below.

What, haven't you finished this system yet
Seriously, your suggestion sounds messy