Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well this have taken a big turn since I first joined. I never got my small scale system running. By the time I got it going it was time to start preparing for this season. So I went all out...for me and my family that is.
I started constructing my 4x8 above ground pond.

I built stands for my barrel halves.

I ended up having to dig the pond a bit to lower the height of my barrels.

I have all three barrels with bell siphons running successfully. I should have gravel this week and can get my plants moved in. I have a total of 12 barrel halves to run on this system as well as 3 ibc bottoms. As I can purchase more IBC's I may remove barrels for a cleaner look and less plumbing. I hope to be able to raise most of the produce my family eats with this system. I may not have it all done this season but hope to have about half of it done.

I wouldn't do too much fine tuning now as the function and performance of your siphons will change once the media is added.

Also, add more holes to the media guard. Perhaps grind in slits if the media you're are young to use is round... The number one cause of siphon failure I see is because of the media guard. In hind sight, I would have made mine out of the rigid plastic netting that is sold with the fence supplies.

Is there anything fastening your wood together other than the rebar at the corners? How many gallons is your pond? (I can figure it out if you tell me the width of the wood beams)

looks good,

brian

Thanks for the advice on the guards. I will make changes. I am getting ready to leave to go get gravel.

The pond is about 450 gallons. Yes the only thing holding the timbers in place are the rods on the corners.

I used my dremel with a 1/8" router bit and made a few vertical lines from the top of the holes to just below the top of my rock guard. Also got two barrels filled with gravel. Tomatoes and peppers will be planted this weekend.

Plants have been in since Friday and doing well. Had to raise water level a bit due to not quite reaching the roots. On one bed I flood it a few hours at a time to keep it watered enough and cool the rocks. I got some cloth to make some shade so the don't get scorched. Now to just build a couple more grow beds to spread things out as they grow.

Got another stand and two more grow beds. Just need to plumb and fill with gravel.