Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

New to this site and aquaponics. Lots of good info. I'm in the process of building a small system: 250 gallon Fish container, appx 200 cu ft GB. My question is concerning vertical growing vs grow beds/floating rafts? It seems like the vertical systems with media are more efficient and would be an easier plant/harvest situation. I've read that the bacteria space is much greater, allowing higher fish concentrations?? How would this effect my initial "cycling"? Would it be best to combine a normal grow bed with the verticals? If you take the verticals down(another advantage) for harvest/planting, how does that effect the bacteria in the media in the tube? If I understand correctly, I would only be able to use 4-5, 5 foot verticals with my 250 gallon fish tank? I am building a 12 x 16 poly house to contain the system. I see systems that are outside, or at least the GB's. With all the rain here in florida, is that possible? See various discussions on a swirl filter, additional bio filters, etc? Should i start with these, or see how it goes without? Trying not to have to do a lot of this twice. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a horticulture background, and have done some large garden ponds, but nothing like this before. Thanks!

If you're talking about Nate Storeys vertical "ziptowers"... then yes they have a good media surface area....

But I'm not convinced that they would provide more bacterial surface area.. than a "traditional depth grow bed... with the same media...

They might... you might be able to get the same or greater volume in a similar footprint... (I'd have to work it out... although I'm sure Nate probably has... )

But it shouldn't be interpreted... that the towers can allow "higher fish concentrations"....

How many fish you can stock.. is directly related to the amount (volume/surface area)... of the media that you have in your system... the filtration capacity...

Actually, thinking of building my own vertical rowers using PVC tubing with a plastic mat type media material..similar to the "zip towers". I understand the correlation between bacteria/gb area and fish density...just was surprised at the numbers they have for the tower sq ft figures: 45-50 sf ft per 5 ' tower i believe. Equivalent to an 6' x 8' x 12" GB. That seems pretty amazing to me. I'm also understanding that a larger volume of water isn't a bad thing...it will just take longer to "balance out". Now thinking of burying fish and sump to allow for more height in poly house for plant growth. They will be pretty permanent once those suckers are dug in...the 1 drawback, besides digging a few pretty large holes.lol I guess having the verticals won't hurt anything and it will be a good experiment to see how things do in them. I like the idea of being able to remove them for planting/harvesting. Will make a "holding table" for that purpose. What time frame do I have for the bacteria in the tubes before they start dying of? What if I kept them sprayed down with a few small misters while the harvest/planting took place? Or should I not even worry about it, and just don't do all at one time? Seems like the more I think I understand, the more questions I have. Does this pattern ever change? lol

Different media have different specific surface area values... leading to specific biological surface area values (BSA)...

Be careful not to confuse apples with oranges... BSA, or SSA values... with grow bed volume...

Here's an explanation by Nate... although it doesn't compare media such as hydroton...

http://verticalfoodblog.com/biological- ... quaponics/

The media used in the zip towers provides not just good surface area... but is much lighter and usable in a vertical format... than most other aquaponic media...

IMO it is a very cool high tech way of growing stuff, but would be pretty hi maintenance,

ie lots of nozzles and each tower has only one so you wouldn't want to leave it for a few days with a blockage!

grow beds feed with lots of 6mm holes in a pipe seem to work good.

That helps. So, if I get this: the verticals have 45- 50 ft2 per , and the media has 290sf2ft3, then I would need only 5 of those 5 foot tubes for a 200 gallon fish tank with density of 1lb/gallon. I understand using more is not a problem, just looking at the advantages vs cost of the vertical system. According to the manufacturer, the material doesn't clog easily...guess we'll see on that. Would a simple increase in water pressure help flush any debris? Also, what are thoughts on swirl filters. heard good and bad. Initially I'll be starting with small fish (tilapia), and it won't be a problem, But it may be as they mature. Does anyone have experience with any grow areas outside in Florida/SE. How does the rain effect the system?

Hi coachchris did you make some towers?

I did. Trying to figure out how to post pictures. used 4 x 4 PVC fence posts, should work fine. Not sure if filter media I'm using is course enough. Will find out soon. Cost about $20.00 per 6' section, but may end up cutting them down to 5'. want to be able to reach tops without ladder, and they will be on top of DWC bed.

There are threads that explain how to post pics. Perhaps you should exercise that search function that does a great job finding answers to find the thread.

Going to add some towers to my system come spring. Going to try mine out of the 2X6 pvc rails and filter media. Show us some pictures!