Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I figured no better time than the present, so I decided to do something today...

I've been acquiring pipes and fittings, and had already cut one IBC into a sump and growbed. I didn't get a lot done today, but something is better than nothing at all. Still got a ways to go, but I'm glad to have accomplished what I did.

As I've learned from my lurking, people love pictures. Now, I'm no photographer, but took a few snaps with my phone. The first two were taken before today, but I had no place to post them until now.

My plans are to use this first system as just a testing ground. Once I get a few, errr, most of the details worked out, I'll be building a larger system in its permanent location, enclosed in a greenhouse of some sorts. Eventually, I'm looking at a 1500 gal main tank with Tilapia, buried sumps, bunk feeders for the growbeds, and Red Claw crayfish in additional tanks. Still thinking of how I want everything set up to maximize space and for efficient plumbing.

For now, this is the start of my build. Hope you enjoy. Please let me know what you think, as I am very new to all of this. I've already discovered a few mistakes in what little bit I did today, but they'll get taken care of before I expand.

I didn't want to spend time digging the original spot level, so I found a mostly flat area that will work for a while.

This is where I stopped for the day. Still need to cut the holes and install the uniseals in the drum and plumb it into the sump, as well as all the cutting on the fish tank. I'm planning on a 2" SLO from FT to blue barrel, which will then run to the sump.

The elbow above the pump will be replaced with a T, feeding back into the fish tank. Still need to pick up a valve to regulate the flow into the growbed.

As far as the mistakes I've noticed.....
I'm wanting to place a union above the pump, to make it easier when I need to replace it.
I don't think I've got the drain figured out. It takes awhile for the siphon to get started, hopefully just needs a little adjusting.
I was thinking I'd have a lot more air with the venturi, may have to play with that a bit.

Well, that brings me to the end of the day. Hopefully I'll be able to do a little more with this tomorrow. If so, photos will follow.

Got a good bit more done today. Everything is connected, and running. Naturally, when I picked up my fittings and pipe, I forgot valves. So, in order to get it running today, I've relocated some of the pipes and some are pointed upwards in a way to control the flow through it.
I'll be getting the valves this week, and at least it'll look better.

I completely forgot about painting the tanks, but since this is just a test, figured it'll be just fine. I'll remember when I expand to the greenhouse (hopefully).

Here's some of the pics from today's progress. It may not be pretty to look at, but I had a great sense of accomplishment seeing everything come together like it has.

The first three pics are of the overall system, and the next three are some closer shots.

Here's some close up shots. I think I did a pretty good job with everything, especially since this is my first attempt.

Had a heck of a time with one of the Uni-Seals. But, eventually I got them all in, and no leaks. At least not from the uni-seals. I've got a small drip in the elbows of the SLO line....but, nothing is glued and I'll worry about that later.

Hope to hear some comments. Good and bad.

Hello Lizard,

Looking good. To help with the bell siphon I like to use two 90s from the bulkhead into the Sump. I adjust the length of the first drop to the 90 to control the quickness of the siphon. Also, I like to use a "Snorkel" to control the depth of max low and help with the break.

Good luck.

Hi Lizard,

Can you describe what you're trying to do in this first layout, I think it would help people give you advice. I noticed that the pump is feeding a venturi and what looks to be the fish tank and goes off past the grow bed. Are you planning on having another fish tank off the part going past the grow bed or are you going to feed the grow bed?

A common arrangement is Sump to Fish Tank to SLO to Solids Filter (many do without this) to Growbed and then back to sump. This ensures that the water entering the sump and Fish Tank are pretty well filtered by the solids filter and grow bed. Your way will work but might not leave the Sump or Fish Tank quite as clean. Solids filters (I'm not certain this is the type of filter you've built)aren't going to get all the solids just maybe half, the grow bed would catch some additional if it came after the Solids Filter.

Remember the media guard on the siphon and don't skimp on the holes.

If this is a solids filter in the barrel is there a way for you to remove the solids when it needs cleaning?

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies.

I may experiment with the siphon using the 90's and/or snorkel, once I get some media in there. How does the length of pipe before the first 90 affect the siphon?

Sorry, I guess I was at a bad angle when I took the picture. The pipe does not continue past the growbed. It's turned up at an angle to reduce the flow into growbed.

From pump, it goes to a T for a return into sump with venturi. It continues up to another T, that feeds the growbed and the FT. SLO from FT to solids filter. (Yes, I put a drain at bottom, just haven't gotten the valve, yet)

Hi Lizard,

With auto siphons... keep it simple... the K.I.S.S. approach.

The breather tubes are not required with a well designed siphon... and instead of castellating the bottom of the bell for water inlets, drill the holes or cut slots about an inch up from the base of the bell.

Cheers.

What Mr Damage says is true. FYI, if you want to see it in action and make it inexpensive just use a clear plastic soda bottle. For the standpipe a 25mm (1inch) PVC pipe with a 25 to 50mm adapter on the top. You'll need to cut the pop bottle bottom off and put the holes in the sides as Mr D mentioned. Once they're in just pop the bottle over the standpipe (the bottle cap should be toward the top)

It'll look like this except you'll have a media guard around it instead of a bucket - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0THhwITSd1E

I wasn't wanting to have to add the tube if I can get away with it. Like you said, K.I.S.S.

Wow, in that video, it drained damn quick.

Question tho....I currently have a 1" standpipe, and a 2" bell... in order to accommodate the adapter at top of standpipe, I'd need to increase the bell size to what??? 2.5", 3"...

Looks like I've got my project for tomorrow.

They do drain fast but your grow bed is larger so it will take longer of course.

If you want to use the bell you already have you could try using a 1 to 1 1/2 inch adapter or you could just use a pop bottle like in the video. Otherwise you'll have to up-size the bell to 2 1/2 inch (measure the outside diameter of the adapter verses the inside of the pipe, because I'm not 100 percent certain). Personally I'd just do a quick and dirty with the pop bottle and see how it does. The guy in the video used the crenelated bottom but the holes in the sides might work better. This is a basic Affnan style Bell Siphon. Very reliable and works well but there may have been some updates in recent years. It's been awhile since I did a siphon so Mr. D. and some of the others are probably more up to date on this.

Sounds good. I've been looking at some various clips online for ideas as well.

I'll probably grab a variety of adapters and fittings, and play around with it till I find what works best for me. Of course, with my luck, I'll have to change everything again once I get the media in.

I haven't found the expanded clay locally, so may end up using river rocks or pea gravel. I think I can get 'ViaStone' shipped to store for free, but it's kinda pricey.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-50-l ... /202985175

I shot for something in the 3/4 inch size, I figured it would be less likely to clog. Pea gravel seems a bit small to me but do a search and see if others have had success with it. I used volcanic rock since there is plenty around here.

Hydroponics stores generally carry the expanded clay but it's pretty expensive. Make sure you don't get limestone as this will raise the pH.

Yeah, I'll definitely check the size before purchasing it. I believe they had 4 or 5 different bags of stone that were about the same price, including the lava rock. I was just thinking that a smooth stone would be less stress to my hands than the rough lava rock would be. Who knows what I'll end up with.

I've also got to see about aeration in the FT. After I add the valves to control the flow into the growbed, and the return to sump, it'll increase the flow back to the FT, but I'm not sure if there will be enough O2 supplied by the venturi.

Is too much O2 a bad thing, and how can you tell if you have too much. Too little, I can understand, if fish are seen gaping for oxygen. (this just brought a visual of Bill Engvall's joke about the first fish to eat a worm laying on a beach, gaping for air) lol