Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So after realizing I already had most of what I need, off to Lowe's I went to get some PVC, aquarium silicone, and a few other parts with which I'll build my basement system.

Took about 5 hours (4 too many) to get everything tested and set up right. I had a bit of trouble with the bell siphon, so right now it's a plain vanilla loop-style siphon in the grow bed. Also, GB is only 6" deep (150mm) because I didn't buy a 2nd bag of hydroton .

But anyways, it works! No leaks or anything. Tank is about 30 gal (125 L). I plan on cycling it with goldfish and some seeds I picked up at the store. With the oversized pump the fish will have a strong current every time the pump kicks in for about 20 seconds.

Flood-drain cycle is about 30 minutes, and uses about 1/3 of the water. So 90 minutes to whole tank cycle, which I guesstimate is acceptable.

It sure ain't pretty, but I believe it'll get the job done. *Most importantly* I fit in into my crawlspace below my house where the woman of the house won't have to see it . The only reason the current set up doesn't collapse is that I'm using irregular hydroton instead of gravel.

Tomorrow I'll get working on raising temp, de-chlorinating, and gettin some swimmers.

more pics. All in all, it's pretty kludgy because I "repurposed" many items, but hey, it works!

Someone once said .. every journey starts with the first step....

Looks like the start of a journey to me Tamo..

Is it just the camera angle or is everything really on such Dr Suess angles?

I see your using internal auto syphons. Do the pictures show the final depth of the grow bed medium or are you testing the syphons yet? I think the biggest problem with a basement system is lighting. I would advise
1. getting the grow bed depth to the recommened 12in
2. let the system run for a few days working out the bugs
3. buy more zip ties never have enough of them.
Your on your way to insantity for sure.
Growing veggies, fish, worms, and bugs cant be normal!

njh, it's really on such Dr Seuss proportions

Turns out I'm going to have to move the system into the back yard today. When the pump kicks in, I can hear it in my bedroom. This will mostly fix the Dr Seuss aspect.

GF, I'm undecided about how deep to go with the grow bed. I know most use the 12", but some do much shallower and do just fine.

I'm one of those using a few shallow grow beds aprox 4in. While it does support growth I would have some serious clogging problems if they received full sun. I find them usefull for portability in seeding a system and filtering but for some serious growth shallow would not be my choice.
Looking forward to more pictures after the backyard move.

Hey Tamo:
I think it's beautiful! Don't worry about the plants yet, just get the thing cycled - it will take a month if it is starting clean. It will go much faster if you can get some disease-free pre-used aquarium gravel from somewhere/someone.

The siphon will be hard to debug in situ, you might want to put it outboard.

The pump is a sump pump that comes on for just a few seconds? Is this because of the float switch and siphon?

Put the pump on a riser so it can't drain the tank dry if the pipes disconnect - has happened to me, EB, and Aeon at least.

The pumps I am using are two $40 ones from Lowe's they are in the pond section and flow 340 GPH or something like that.

System is moved to backyard, will have pics later. It's much less Seussian now .

Elevating the pump is a good idea. I'll have to do that next time I have energy.

My tube siphon is working perfectly. I've given up on the bell siphon for the moment. When I have a bucket or something to destroy, I'll experiment more.

With regard to the shallow beds clogging up, I plan on having worms in the grow beds. Would this take care of the problem, or is it the live roots getting so long that they clog things up?

The live roots would be my bet.
Anyone have a picture of root growth available?
You have done a great job in reuse of items, I'm looking forward to watching your system.

Pics will have to wait. One of my cats knocked my stuff over. Must have pulled a geronimo from the deck railing down onto the grow bed.

Free cat to bad home!

where has that discussion on cats and mincers gone

Should have left the system alone... Mine is outside the bedroom window and for a while we heard the water running all night long. Then we got a fan. Took care of the problem. The sound of the fan drowns out the sound of water....sort of. I still have to get up and go to the bathroom a lot though. Maybe I should move it.

What... the bathroom??

heh lol.