Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all!

I have some pictures of my system build progress. I created a facebook page to make it easy to log the progress and post pictures for friends and family. Feel free to check it out if you'd like. https://www.facebook.com/AquaponicsSyst ... ?success=1

Hi Dave,

Often it is preferred that you post images and add progress straight to your system thread here on the forum rather than diverting to facepuke or blogs. It keeps the forum active and we can interact with you and comment here.

Cheers

I can appreciate that sentiment, however, I am having a little difficulty navigating this forum. I need to find the way to post pictures here.

You have to hit the post reply button to get to the more detailed posting page. Then, Down below you can add attachments like pictures.
Be sure to re-size the picture to 600x800 so people don't have to scroll sideways to see/read everything.

Ah, thank you. Here's some.

I am still struggling a little. For some reason, the system is duplicating pictures. I'll keep trying to clean it up...sorry guys.

Ok I am starting to figure it out. The format of this forum is very different from what I am used to. No biggie, just a bit of a learning curve.

Looks like a great start Dave...

Looks like a neat system, i for one do not do face book or similar sites and appreciate your efforts. Makes it easier for members to help you. Cheers

Get a cover over that sump tank to keep the light out of it or you may see a major algae bloom as you cycle up your system. A cover can also help keep leaves and debris, children and pets out which could clog up your pump.

Absolutely agree! I built a cover using a left over bottom from one of the IBC totes, covered it with a sheet of ABS plastic that I had in my woodworking shop. I then finished the edges with PVC pipe. The cover is in two parts. The back part is at an angle sloping toward the rear with drainage holes drilled in the ABS. This is to channel any rain water that my drip off the PT lumber away from the tank. I test it with a garden hose and it works really well.
Here are some pictures of the rear cover build.





The ABS on the front will be used to build a similar cover for the front of the tank. I need to develop a way to lock the covers down. They have some weight to them but not enough for total security against strong wind or kids.

Thank you all for the encouragement and advise!

Thank you. It was a ton of work so far but I loved every minute of it. I just hope the payoff is good!

Thank you. No worries. I am glad to be getting a handle on the format of this forum so I can share more easily right here.

Very good work!
For simple wind, string or something just to tie the cover down to the frame would do and be removable when you do need to pull the cover out of your way.

As for being able to lock a cover. Well we have done it on a mesh tank by essentially hinging once side of the cover and then having a hole in the front of the cover to take a lock and a bit of cable from the frame up to the lock to keep the front from being opened unless one knows the combo for the lock. On our round tanks we actually have a cable running around the tank to lock the covers down to.

Here are some pictures taken this morning.

Fist tank cover made from leftover hickory from a flooring project. Very hard and heavy hardwood. Coated with linseed oil and spar urethane.



Sump tank covers made from black ABS plastic and pvc pipe. I changed the drain pipes to utilize Affnan mufflers.



Plants seem happy.