Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Having put the blue barrels in I ran into a problem, i should of but did not foresee. That is the amount of water that is drawn from my tank during each F&D cycle. Having purchased a bigger pump (Hozelock 12000l/hr) to deal with the increased flow (and head) necessary for the expansion I found that the tank dropped so much I was worried that any future expansion would be limited.
When I was at BYAP, Nat kept telling me all about the blue barrels and making my head spin - I now have 6 blue barrels and counting. He also suggested that I should consider a split system (ie 2 completely separate systems) rather than a big system with a sump. The problem for me with 2 separate systems is the nitrates. i need all the growing space I can get to deal with the nitrates produced by the trout of winter and the Silvers over summer. While I see the benefit in the 2 separate systems, especially eliminating the 12v pump and float switches which are a pain, I was not convinced that it would work for me with my nitrate problem.
Nat does get you thinking, so his 2 system suggestion kept nagging me in the back of my mind; a solution had to be in there somewhere (Thank god he does not sell life insurance or time share or I would be poor; you're a bloody legend Nat).
Ultimately I would like to have 5 BYAP grow beds (currently have 4), 1 smaller bed (old thermofilm hot bed - currently in place) and 8 to 10 blue barrels (currently have 6) as well as replace my 1000l sump tank (used for trout) with a 3000l tank. Put the trout in the 4000l tank and the silvers in the 3000l. I also wanted to be a little more energy efficient and to reduce possible points of failure. I was thinking that 2 pumps running were better than 1 pump with one in the shed in case of failure and removing the need to pump the water back to the main tank, particularly when there is a power failure and you need a 12v backup pump and float valve, could only be an improvement.

Soooo, I came up with the following concept. I would be interested in your thoughts on it. See attached diagram. (excuse the rough hastily thrown together diagram)



in summary
- the site is not level and slopes down from right to left.
- Tank 1 and 2 are partially buried in the ground.
- a pump in each tank
- water from tank 1 is pumped to GB 4 and 5 and the blue barrels (the top of the beds to the top of the water surface is over a metre)
- These beds drain to tank 2
- Water from Tank 2 is pumped to GB 1, 2, 3 and 6
- These beds drain to tank 1
- both pumps on the same timer
- any excess water in any of the 2 tanks can move from one to the other by way of a 50mm joining pipe.
- the water remains mixed and consistent between both tanks.
- all return pipes have a barrel union just prior to entering the tanks so water can be directed to an alternate tank. This would allow the systems to be run separately if needed.
- the 2 pumps have a total wattage of 130w - current single pump wattage is 130w (Hozelock 12000)
- no other pumps required (350w sump pump and float valve eliminated along with the 12v backup sump pump and float valve)
- backup system consists of 12v air pump to both tanks and spray bar to both tanks with the pump in one of the tanks, allowing ammonia, O2 to be distributed across both tanks.
- if one pump fails then fish have a better chance of surviving than if a single pump fails. Also the remaining pump can still deal with ammonia and keep the bed bacteria alive (at least half of the beds) while a new pump is sought.
- allows for even more expansion - unlikely but possible.
- I'm not sure if there will be a solids issue, particularly for trout if all their water is going into half the beds. But then for 4 months of the year there will be no solids going into the beds to allow the worms etc to deal with it.

What are your thoughts on this approach to a 2 tank, 2 pumps joined system?

That's what I was thinking of when I was reading your problem

If you are having troubles with solids you could easily add a fee cross over valves the swap the pump -> GB combo.

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thanks Ryan that would work.

Pulled a silver out of the tank the other day. Nothing special but was the first in the net. It looks a bit manky but that is 'cos I started to scale before I remembered to weigh and measure No too bad for size and is about average for what is in there.





And the capsicums are still powering along

more capsicums.
Capsicums are one of the success stories for the system. I must of picked over 80 so far this season and there is still more coming and flowers as well. For me they take a while to establish and then they take off and there is no stopping them.

The Ceylon spinach is taking over. A good grower but next year I will need to keep it under control early.

The flowers are interesting as they don't seem to open

and the berries are everywhere

All looking good mate. Nice plate size SP too

'on ya Charlie I thought I had better start thinning them silvers.
Tell me why is it that the big ones are never the ones you catch!

More Ceylon spinach. This time 3 plants in the same bed showing a graduation in deficiency symptoms. There must be something very local in the bed itself that is producing this result.

and the 2 extremes

That is nature helping to stroke your future ego

Looking great mate. I wih i had an enclosed area to keep the bugs from eating my stuff. Those capsies are powering along.

Thats interesting with the spinach. What are your thoughts Marc? Dead zone in that side of the bed preventing nutrient uptake of some kind?

If I never see another Ceylon Spinach I will be a happy person. Cut those black seeds off before they fall into your system and take over. Reminds me of The Day of the Triffids!!

That sure is true Seamonkey!! The pictures are of the tame plants. The others are sprawling over the edge of the beds or threatening to engulf the airpump. It seems like one of those "buy it once - have it forever" plants.

Hey Marc, how's the extensions coming along? How are you going to plumb it?

Plants look great dude. My misses planted some of that Ceylon Spinach in my system. Looking at yours I had better keep an eye on it.

Muzza

Hi Muzza - extensions are planned for the end of the year so at the planning stage. Well by that I mean the last of the extensions - 3000l tank and 1 "last" growbed. I did start with one tank (4000l) and 2 growbeds as per a standard BYAP setup and it rapidly evolved into what I have now with each extension being my last (sound familiar). If I knew then what I know now I would have won lotto, shifted and ...maybe built something like you have . Now back to reality. As much as CHIFT PIST appeals it is not really going to work for me in the short to medium term. I will just make sure I keep it in mind with any expansions. With a greenhouse and trees all around I am fairly constrained despite the acreage. But with any tree deaths (AKA free fire wood) opportunities may suddenly appear.
The other thing that worries me with CHIFT PIST is the backup system to empty the sump tank in case of a power outage. Up here power outages are fairly common and the generator is always out. I would still need a 12v pump in my sump tank to stop it overflowing in an outage and a float valve to go with it. With the proposal I have above I have avoided that problem and the other problems should be able to be managed (and i don't need any more 12v pumps and float switch )