Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm glad it's clearing up. How many beds are you planning?

I was planning one long one along the side of the pool area. Around 11m long and 1m wide, which I would access from each side so reaching would not be an issue. Was thinking of dividing that internally in a kind of terrace so I can grow some ornamentals, some produce. The natural pool people recommend 20% of yr surface area is gravel, so I'm around 25%, close but they don't have fish in theirs. They also only grow ornamentals, the purpose being solely to keep the pool clear. I could add an additional bed later if needed, just needs more landscaping and another pump. And money. Much money. Might start a pyramid scheme.

I thought that scoria would do the trick.

It's definitely made an impact. Still not crystal. This week we are putting in another bath full of scoria. Having an 11m grow bed will help even more, but with such a big investment I need to know it will work.

Crystal clear water!!! Right to the bottom. the walls and floor need a scrub , but I am delighted, you can see every fish, so to can the birds of prey no doubt.

Incidentally I discovered that Clark rubber sells block out pool covers, apparently they are in demand from aquaculture people. Talk about reinventing the wheel. I will firstly see if my shade sail system holds up when it gets warmer, but the blanket is a great option.

Is it too early to call this success?

Awesome! What do you think did it in the end?

Ronmaggi i think it was a combination of shade, extra scoria and the cool weather we are now having. The nitrates are up and the seedlings I have been watering using my pool pond water are growing quite well. I look forward to figuring out these swirl filters that people talk about on the forum, once we have one of those in we're going to get started with the landscaping.

What a hobby!!!!

Yea Id be banking on the cool weather change, gave the water a chance to clear out.

Ok Charlie so do you think I just got lucky with the weather or am I in for more algal blooms when it gets warm again?

Hopefully that should be the end of it colours, the 'pea soup' stage can take time in a small system to clear out so hopefully what we have seen with yours is just an extended version of that due to the water volume and the time frame without efficient shades etc. I think from memory Deb and Macks pool had an occasional bloom but I don't think it lasted long. Im assuming (like a smaller system) that once the ecosystem has established it should take care of itself. I know you weren't keen on a build up of biofilm but I think it would play in your favour if you let it build up over winter in time for the heat. Time will tell I suppose.

When my tank finally cleared up I got the greenish stuff that sticks to the walls but the water itself is still crystal clear.

Update. So, its spring and I nearly threw in the towel. Fish are going gangbusters but the pool area needed some aesthetic love. I nearly, nearly drained, relocated the fish and chlorinated. But then I realised that this was probably my only chance to have a go so I have come up with the cheapest temporary trial I could think of. Its not perfect or anything close so be gentle on me but I had limited time and funds so here goes.

If those of you in WA hear some random swearing, that'll be my husband playing with fittings and glue, all the way from Sydney. You'll learn new words, as my kids probably will.

Basically my original plans were to concrete a section next to the length of my pool and build a block wall (growbed) on top of that, line it , add scoria and appropriate plumbing and plant out. But not knowing how this system will run I didn't want to risk all that cash so I bought some blue barrels.

We got 6 barrels, cutting them in half to create 12 plant pots of around 100L each where I plan to put some fruit trees and plant out the base of the trees with smaller perennials/annuals. I have also bought that block out pool blanket on a roller to exclude sunlight. The shade sails would constantly be lifted by wind and looked pretty crappy as they needed to be placed low to exclude the sun when it was on angle.

I also bought a 100L/min air pump with 20 outlets and 20 high output airstones. I need this because the pool blanket actually sits on the surface so there will be no gas exchange over that large area. This, plus the recirculating water will oxygenate the water. Hopefully not too much. Hopefully not too little. I can limit the air pump and the water flow should take care of itself (by that I mean it should provide for a natural level of gas exchange). I'd like to be more scientific about it but I have no idea how much O2 the fish need, when, and have no way of measuring the water.

Where I am failing: I have no back up pumps. I have no sump, so any leak could be disastrous. I have no back up power supply - I have a generator but would need to be home to attach it. I may or may not have enough growbed:FT ratio (however I can limit my stocking rate). As mentioned I don't know if I have enough or too little oxygen supply. I am unsure about the thermal qualities of the blanket. One rep tells me it keeps the pool cool because people that live in the tropics like cool pools, the other says it heats although it doesn't heat as much as solar blankets. The pool is situated on the south-west side of the house so it is quite cool normally and it is also shaded by a deciduous tree. I'd really really like to have jades, this may be a way, as its normally too cold where I live.

I'd like to have Jades cause of their omega 3 content, however this I presume is because they eat lots of algae in their natural habitat, not so much when they eat pellets. Wish I had the technology to test that.

Another issue is that if we have visitors, they may be wearing sunscreen. I don't believe in sunscreen so not a prob for us, but I wonder what effect it will have on the fish.

Um, what else? Bit about the design?

This is how we planned it... We were in McBunnings for 2 hours with 3 tired and hungry kids. Pricing up fittings in the cheapest way possible. Again, not foolproof but bear in mind this is a pilot.

We decided on CF. There will be a standpipe in each GB, leading to a common drain. The flow will come from 50mm pipe sitting and fastened across the top of all the "pots" with a hole drilled at each one for the water to drain into the pot from the pump. So no pressure regulation, but using a standpipe, each "pot" will be full, however the last :pot" will have more water turnover than the first. This problem wont occur in the real design as it will be one continuous GB. The common drain will drain back into the pool. The standpipes will have small holes drilled at the base so that there will be some drainage from the base of the "pot". This may or may not (or probably will - depending on your level of pessimism) eventually get clogged with roots. We will have to be careful about how big we drill the holes on our feeder pipe. hmm otherwise the last "pot" may get very little water.

We have one of those sewer breather hole caps (you know the caps with the holes in it) to place on top of the standpipe to stop the scoria from entering the pipe.
This will allow us to have the end of the standpipe below the level of the scoria so we don't end up with an algal mess on top.

Plants? I'm thinking - banana, paw paw, custard apple, avocado, any other suggestions welcome. Cool climate would be good as I have no idea how there tropicals will go. Probably not really well. I will probably plant out with summer annual veg too as the fruit trees will take a while to establish.

I'm pretty excited and cautious at the same time. I have a few days next week off so I can monitor the situation closely, can roll up the blanket if I see something suspect. Will invest in backup pumps etc maybe on my next paycheque cause this one was well and truly blown. Although it could have been much worse. I could be into silly interests like designer label clothes and beauticians right?

Cmon, hit me...

There are "reef safe" sunscreens out there. I can't vouch for the safety of fish in a recirculating system with it, but it is something.

Have to admit I'm a bit jealous you have an entire pool to play with !
Are you putting media guards around the standpipes ? Just that you didn't mention it in your description of the setup. My growbeds are constant flood, pump runs 24/7 and I twist the guards to cut off roots and once or twice a week i pull out the standpipes one by one to drain each bed in case of any "dead spots" and just refresh the water 100%.
Also, after an initial bad algal bloom which I finally defeated with a UV steriliser, the system has been out in full sun all winter and the water has been nice and clear.
all the best with it, cheers

Hi rendang I always saw the pool as a bit of a drain on budget, time and sustainability. Now I'm wondering if a pool could feed a family? Probably!

We've decided to keep the standpipes entire and yes they have a slotted cap on top which will be under the gravel level in part and not glued so we should be able to twist it if the roots grow into it.

I'm wishing I got an extra 6 barrels now. Maybe next week sssh don't tell my husband.