Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yesterday (12th August) we started by clearing the site and laying out the equipment.


Today, the saw came into action.


We broke ground and timbers were cut!

Nothing like a new project for a reason to buy new tools

Yep! Loadsa new toys, uh I mean tools, of course!

Grow beds are looking good and looking big!





And here is where they will go.

We have beds and the hole for the sump tank.

Quick look at the old IBC system. We have had half a dozen cucumbers and a couple of courgettes so far. Unfortunately, the tomato plant is not doing well (not sure if it is being strangled by the courgette plant!)

Hey, may I suggest that you turn the concrete blocks so the holes are vertical instead of horizontal. The system will be fine for quite awhile, but over time, you may find the blocks breaking due to stress. Be a bugger to have to fix the foundation with the growbeds full.

Hey Mr Bill,

Unfortunately, the blocks are not stable enough to stack on that surface so we have added extra in the hope that they won't crack.

Thanks for the input
Alastair

We have the Greenhouse Framework! Now for Sump tank and liner on the beds.

So, we haven't finished the Greenhouse yet but here are a few photos:











We're going to take a few days rest before restarting but hope to be finished in about a week's time (or so!).

Looking awesome! The tomatoes just need the lower leaves trimmed. You only need about 20cm of leaves on top. Also make sure you are trimming the suckers off. Those are the ones that grow out between the main stem and the normal branches. No need to toss them though, they can be planted too, giving you free tomato plants.

Whats the inground fish tank made out of?

Wow, looks fantastic. You have done a lot of work there.

The grow beds and sump are all made of a wood frame with 15mm plywood skin. They are then covered in EPDM (0.8mm) inside. The sump is also covered with the EPDM on the outside before it was put in the ground.


And it feels like it! Especially for our local AP expert, Matt, who did the vast majority of the work.

A quick update on progress. Back-boards, NFT and Towers are in!