Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Lol Rupe. I guess I should have posted that under my pseudonym, I am thinking of names, maybe something like CHOP2Rocks!
What is funny is that here in South Africa you call someone a "chop" if you want to insult them.

I do feel like you took me out of context as I did add: "(or whichever system design suits you best)" which was my disclaimer for "I don't have an AP system so I am not an expert".

What would be your template/default system?

Regards, Martin.

I don't think there is a single design "template" for a backyard system...

It depends on what anyone has as components, relative heights, siphons or timed F&D, whether or not a sump is incorporated, how many fish they wish to stock... etc etc...

But anything other than CHOPII....

I simply can't understand how anyone with even a modicum of sense.. could think that lifting solids out of the fish tank.. into a sump... to then pump half the solids back into the fish tank.... could possibly think that it's a good idea...

It was either proposed merely as a "marketing" ploy... to differentiate between what everyone else had previously done... rather than copying them.... with disregard to some basic principles of fish keeping...

Or was done without any real knowledge of some basic principles of fish keeping... which would seem even stranger as the same proposer regularly suggests stocking densities that are beyond even many of the basic designs most people use in backyard systems...

Wow that's such a good explanation of the shortcomings of the CHOP2 system Rupe. I've been reading a large amount on multiple forums (but mainly this one) and this is the first time I've seen an actual critique of CHOP2. What you say makes sense.

So I get it - there's no actual template, but if you had a budget to buy what was needed without being extravagant and wanted to set up say 4 grow beds, an FT and a sump what would be your simple router? Do you pump from the sump to the FT and then SLO to the GB and then return to the sump?

Regards, Martin.

Well you certainly would... if the fish tank is higher than the grow beds... as the SLO needs to be higher to gravity feed to the grow beds...

And the sump would also be lower than the grow beds... and fish tank... and need to be pumped...

Read almost any thread which mentions CHOP II and you will see the same things being said over and over again.

The simplest system you could build will be fish tank sitting lower than your growbeds, pump in fish tank to growbeds and then have them drain back to the fish tank via gravity. With 4 beds I would suggest running them as constant flood as flood and drain would drop your fish tank level too much.

Your other option is CHIFT PIST (aka CHOP). This will keep the fish tank water level constant but also requires a sump.

Was about to get to that scenario....

Thanks Rupe and Arbe, I appreciate all this information. So basically CHOP1 is a good option or a more basic set up without a sump. I prefer the sump arrangement to keep the fish tank level constant.

Thanks again I really appreciate having access to people that have the experience to comment on these issues.

Maybe now we can get back to Charlie's 2nd System?

Sorry Mr. Foot Model for hijacking your thread.

Regards, Martin.

Yea, CHOPll is poop






p.s. heres my latest work for you MC..

Charlie that really cracked me up. I didn't see it as it was down the page and I was reading your CHOP2 comment. I thought I was done but scrolled down and there appeared this rather attractive foot. Charlie that foot has a lot of potential. I can see podiatrists for miles around swooning over it.

It reminds me of a pantyhose advert that was flighted here in South Africa for years. It was a simple advert - a gorgeous pair of legs in high heels, short skirt and shiny hose. I would have drooled if I didn't know that it was my wife's male but very gay friend. He had a cracking pair of legs... for a girl.

There is room for everyone in Aquaponics!

Charlie would it be fair to say that an AP would need media beds to harbor the nitrifying bacteria and the DWC is mainly going to be useful to use up any excess 'rates?

Yea, spot on Gaz. You need a bio filter of some kind that can maximise surface area for bacteria colonisation so it might as well be media beds/towers where you can grow plants. Theres not a whole lot of surface area in a raft and it needs pre filtering anyways.

I like the raft as just an add on.

just read ALL 65 pages, amazing charlie I love it! BTW, what happened to the tiny birds/chickens that were laid in your garden? chicken nuggets?

Gee, well done Rob... and thanks.

The little quails have gone to new homes and we have another 8 new ones now who are almost ready to go to new homes too. No chicken nuggets unfortunately he he.

Just firing up the wood fire pizza oven at the moment to prepare for the bender we are going to have. Celebrating the purchase of our new farm. 2014 is going to be a bewdie!

Congratulations Charlie. Do tell, or is there a separate thread that I have missed.