Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am a bit stuck on how to make everything work.

What pumps / where to place them?

The basics are.

In ground pond with a deck over hanging it.
1 Swirl barrel filter on the deck (re earthengroup design or similar)
1 Radial barrel filter on the deck (not sure what design to use)
1 2000 L in ground water tank fed from roof rainwater.
Possibly a skim filter
Some form of waterfall
fed to pots on top of the brick wall and to the deck upstairs.

I have posted my planned build in a separate post. The last concept pic of the layout and positioning of components is listed here for reference:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=15481&start=15#p403356

I am picking up a few of these today so I can start on the filter builds:.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280743815695 ... 1438.l2649


Appreciate any advice. I am pretty rubbish when it comes to plumbing and I would like to get this as right as possible the first time.

Cheers,
Stuart

I would stick with the radial flow filter. If you are using uniseals make sure the go in on one curve only. Olive barrels have a double curve and the seals will most likely leak. Is there a chook farm near you, they may have the blue barrels cheaper.

With your deck over lapping the pond you will have to be carefull with cleaning fluids and othe things going into the water. Certainly if there are little kids around or party happy big kids. Cheers

Thanks CCBear.

I will keep an eye out for the blue barrels, I am in the inner city Melbourne so unlikely to be a chook farm nearby. The ones I am looking at on ebay seem to be the olive type that you describe. I think the guy has a range of them so I will have to take a look see.

I think the larger danger will be the party happy big kids falling in!
I am also nervous about decking oil I need to find a non toxic option for this.

Cheers,

Check out the green keeper at the golf courses near you. They use the same barrels. They contain a water conditioner, just need a clean out. If any original content left in do not empty it on the lawn or yourself. Ok when diluted.

I use them for my RFF and Digester and have had no problems. Just checked all my system out and it is running well even if the fish are not eating much. Cheers