Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone

I thought I would introduce my first system, and instead of asking lots of questions on new threads I can put them all on here.

I'll have to add some photos tonight when I get home.

I've used single IBC which I've turned into GB and FT. I have a 4800l/h pump, more than I currently need but I'm hoping to add more grow beds later. I will run constant flood for a while, and then move to flood and drain once cycled.

I had hoped to get the plumbing done on the weekend but life conspired against me and all I managed to do was add the grow media. This is where I have hit my first problem which creates my first questions.

I got scoria for my media, but the stuff is almost impossible to wash clean. I spent about 4 hours washing that 200l that I need, but still it is bleeding red into my FT. Is this going to be a problem in the long term, or do I need to make it completely clean and then empty my FT water? Will the dust in the system impact the fish when I add them, or do funny things with my levels?

How have other people managed to clean scoria?

Hopefully I get home before its dark tonight and can take some photos of the tank to show you.

I managed to get home for lunch to add a few photos

This is confusing having two Blind Freddies.

Nice work mate

WOW! That scoria looks crushed. The scoria I bought was much larger in size. I basically hosed it off and didn't have any problems with bleeding.

This was 10ml scoria... seemed to be a good size to me... but open to suggestions

That will be fine.

Good stuff other Freddy, gets some plants in there mate, stop making excuses, you can plant at night by torch light.

Today I managed to get the plumbing together. Here's some photos with some questions below.

I need to cut my standpipe down a cm or 2.

I've got an over sized pump so I can add a second GB later. So I've split the flow and using half as extra aeration for now. Question I had was that this creates quite a watarrfall effect in the FT. Is this bad? Will it harm the fish?

I've a couple of goldfish from a friend coming on Sunday, along with the filter from his pond, an attempt to kickstart cycling.

Any suggestions for me set up gladly received.

I was going to cut down my standpipe, then I thought, How about I add an extra inch of gravel. Does the same, and gives you greater bed depth.

Suggestions - Go to the toilet before you go outside!! Wish I had extra water capacity!!

Now complete with plants

And goldfish somewhere in there



Can anyone suggest when / how that water might clear?

You can use a pillow case or scotch/brillo pads under your GB water supply and it will clear after a while. Another option is to use some egg whites, it binds the fines and clears the water. If you havent, Id remove the auto syphon and pump constantly. It wont take long to clear.

Thanks Charlie, the pump is running constantly at the moment. Will try the pillow case though.

I used left over pieces of polyester insulation batts cut up and placed under each GB outlet in a small plant tray, in conjunction with some filter / geofrabric from the local hardware and hung some more in a bucket with holes underneeth to returns from the grow beds. That seemed to work very well.
Theye needed a rinse out every day due to the amount of crap they picked up.

I struggled for ages and my water is finally clear. I used chux clothes under the inlet into growbed.
But I think the thing to do is leave it constant flood pump on for a whole week, also egg whites.
I had finer dust than you with river gravel and it didn't look promising but just this weekend cleared up to crystal clear over 3 days of constant flood.

Your water fall effect I'm told is good for the fish. From what I've noticed, the fish feel safer and more confident when they can't see the top of the water, but rather when its broken up.

The crud that comes out of scoria takes weeks to clear naturally. I would just run the water to waste in the garden and refill and run to waste again. Repeat till clear. Put the goldies in a bucket with an aerator till its safe for them to go back in.