Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

VB the custom made growbed will be timber and pondliner. I need it to be no wider that .5 of a meter and approx 7.5 long. This is so it will not take up too much room in the green house as space is tight. Unless I can find somethig else that would suit.

Aussie

No - I think that is a good plan. WHat type of liner. My only concern with liner and gravel beds is whether the food safe stuff is tough enough for gravel. The vinyl stuff would be fine - but I don't think it is food safe. The food safe stuff is a lot thinner I think??

Aussie, just a few questions/observations

1) are you burying the sump tanks, if so you might look at putting them together (one hole to dig)

2) did you think of putting the sumps at the other end, closer to the fish tank and less distance to pump from sump to fish tank

3) What height will the growbeds be and will the sump tanks be low enough if not buried

My GB height is 720mm, whilst I can reach across to the other side, it would be difficult to do and not cause damage to other plants.
VB may be of the same opinion as he has a metre wide GB also at waist height (with organised veggie clutter )

You may have already taken these points into consideration

VB Will look into the pondliner. Maybe 2 layers of the foodsafe stuff would do? If I can find growbeds .5 wide I will use them.

EKB I am hoping not to bury the sumps. Have not found what I want yet but if need be I will bury them. Yes, bury together in same hole is a good idea. I also like the idea of having the sumps at the other end. I will amend the plan. I am thinking of growbed hight at .800 high. But .400 maybe better.

By the way I was talking to an Electrician contractor at work who does alot of work for "The Pets Super Store" At Capalaba. He works on their aquariam setup to do with waterflow. He is drawing up a diagram using 1 external pump with 2 actators and float swithes in the tank. It will alternate a cycle between node 1 and node 2. More details as they emerge.
Thanks guys

AP

On Pondliners. I've been considering a hole stack of options but the pond liner is the way I'm leaning at the moment.

The liner I was thinking of was the Dupont Xavon which I have seen advertised for $16/m2. I have been thinking of using this because, apparently, it is the toughest one (less likely to leak) you can get without going into high tech (read very expensive) stuff. How fussy do we need to be about food grade plastics? The Xavon is advertised as "Chemically neutral (no leaching) - Non toxic " good enough?

Stuart

Sounds alright Stuart. Do you reckon it would cope with gravel - some of the edges can be a bit sharp.

I think it would. If any pond liner is going to be ok its this one. The only way to get a tougher one would be to look at the next league of lineres that they use for Landfill and mine tailings holding ponds. They are really super tough but I'm sure they are also super pricy.

Heres the link for info on them

http://www.creativepumps.com.au/Pumps/P ... _liner.htm

Looks good - not cheap but looks like its made to last. Would also probably get a bit better price after shopping around. I have asked for a sample.

Thanks for the info Stuart.

Here is a rejigged layout of my greenhouse as per EKB's suggestions

AP

How many families are you looking to feed AussieP

My Family, family of fish, family of chooks, family of worms, family of black soldier flies. and on and on

AP

LOL, it's gonna be a pearler of a system. I think that the 1mm pro liner they have on that site works out fairly economical if you buy a whole roll, and with only $9 postage, thats a pretty good deal esp with all the growbeds!

That is one big system you have planned there AP
Looking forward to seeing pics of it in full swing

Onya mate - in all seriousness I think going big is the only way to go. If we are going to do this and there are no obstacles from doing it (like space restrictions) then why not go big and try to provide as much of the families food needs as possible. We will be laughing in the long run as everybody buys their expensive poor quality fruit and veg from coles or woolies..

What is the distance between the plastic grow-beds and the greenhouse wall. Enough to comfortable plant and harvest there I presume.

Was checking out my proposed system area yesterday and it looks like I will have the option of putting up a 12 x 4m GH like yours or a 6 x 8m. Square meterage is the same. Price may be a major consideration. Am a fair way off looking at buying a GH yet - but when I get closer I will seek everybodies opinion on which option may be better for me.

I have 500mm distance in between GBs, anything less would be a little uncomfortable