Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A relevant point,but even if the entire surface was clogged it will just overflow the edge then down through the plastic media. It's a daily check for me as I look everything over so no problem,if I was to go away for any length of time I could just lift it out and run with just the bowl or I could take it all out,it is flexible in that regard,but I do like how much crap it does removes

Hi Dasboot ,

Wow your system looks great and definitely makes me want to continue growing mine as I get the hang of this.

How did you attach the plastic to your greenhouse? I am looking at adding a cover over my system with all of the rain we have been getting lately.

Many thanks Markz, yes the plastic cover has really proved its worth through this rainy season,I would have lost a lot without it,though when then rainy season finishes I might replace it with just shade cloth until next year,the amount of heat generated is surprising,so I have remove able shade cloth panels over which ever part of the garden needs it.
As for the clips,they are designed to clip onto 3/4 DIA pipe,they are about 100 mm long and are in three sections with spring wire in each,they work a treat. I used a uv type plastic and these clips hold it in place without tearing it,they also hold the shade cloth perfectly. The pics should show you.
If you can't locate any there I am more than happy to put a box in the post for you, there about 6 Baht a piece and used 6 at each end plus a few for clipping the shade cloth inside. I used 3/4 plastic pipe for the tunnel each support being 2 pieces pushed together,a piece of 2 inch 40cm long was pushed into the ground then the supports bent into a curve and put in the 2 inch,this was then filled with sand.
When I put the plastic on I did in two pieces with about an 50 cm overlap in the centre,when the storms come and you get that strong gust of wind,because the ends are open the wind rushes through opens up the overlap to let the excess pressure out the relaxes back with no damage. It does move about a bit but none of the joints are glued so you can just push it back into place or whatever you want. Hope this helps.
There is another way to do the same job,1/2 inch pipe is a good fit in 3/4 inch plastic pipe,if you have access to a table saw,or know someone that does,if you cut the 3/4 at 20 to 4 on the clock face,the 1/2 inch pipe snaps into the 3/4s, so if you roll the plastic in the 1/2 you can then snap it into the 3/4 pipe. The beauty with this is you can make these pipes any length and screw them to different constructions. You just need the saw

I have been trying adding air into the 3 inch pipe that fits over the over flow,I tried two ways,one by just injecting air straight in,the other by cutting a hole in the side and having an air stone half in this hole. Both work the straight injection works better,it really pushes the water up the tube cleaning for quite an area around the uplift,it also causes a slight rocking of the uplift,a slight circular motion this seems to help as well. Early days and just playing really,I will do the other two one without and one with an air stone without the hole,see what happens.

Hi Dasboot,

Thanks for the info on the clips and the tip about the overlap , I am going to try and see if I can source them here somewhere.

I cant wait for rainy season to end.

Yes me neither,but then we are into what they call the cold season hahahahhahahahahahah

Hi there Dasboot, im just starting out in aquaponics. Im at the stage of concept testing right now. I will be up scaling my system soon but it would still be pretty small(1 gallon). I am so glad to finally meet some1 that does aquaponics in thailand. Btw, im in chonburi, eastern thailand.

Hi,extremeflying
I will do everything I can do to help,as they say size doesn't matter it's what you achieve with it that does. Nice to meet someone else from the land of smiles.

I will upload a pic of my concept testing soon. Would love to hear your comments!

My pleasure.

check you PM dasboot.

Hi TCLynx.
The disc was working really well,I was washing it daily and was really pleased with the results until,the flow wasn't quite once per hour,as it turned out the pump was beginning to play up. So new pump purchased and the flow now bang on once an hour,the disc now does not collect solids,it appears the extra flow now breaks the solids down as there sat on the disc,there is practically no bio slime either,this just isn't working now as I hoped it would or it was,maybe time to look at alternative filtration.

Filtration can be challenging, especially as it tends to change a bit over time.

Already read your PM, Dasboot?

This most probably won't mean a lot to many people,but to me it's fantastic,my very very very first Tomatoes. Ok they are not ripe yet but there here............Whoop Whoop ( bit to much ?)