Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all. I've been reading about aquaponics for the better part of two years and I finally just dove head first into it this spring. I have an IBC without the cage (wouldn't fit in my minivan) buried in the ground. I dug a hole, put it in and backfilled with my soil (mostly sand) mixed with portland cement. I have 3 55 gallon drums, cut in half, placed on wooden supports. For a pump I'm using a 620 GPH submersible fountain pump from Harbor Freight.

Here's a link to the pump, it's a fantastic deal:

http://www.harborfreight.com/620-gph-su ... 68393.html

I got 50 tilapia fingerlings about a month ago, and to my dismay the koi started feasting on them immediately. I don't know how many I have left at this point, they seem to enjoy the bottom of the tank and there's so much aeration going on in there I have to shut everything off to see them. I'd guess there's 20-30 or so. They seem to be big enough now that the koi are leaving them alone.

I haven't taken any reading as of yet - I just monitor the system, check for bugs or dead fish, yellow leaves, etc. I've supplemented iron a few times and the plants react well. Every here and then I see some critters in the grow beds. I've been seeing some sort of orange bug on the squash and an aphid here and there. When I see bugs I've been spraying with the garden hose, then I flood the bed and let it drain. There's also some very small gnat like bugs around, they fly around when I move something in the grow beds. I did have a bad problem with mosquitos, but I got a few fish from the local pet store that seem to be eating the larvae.

And here are the requisite pics, of course....

(edit:inline pics were waaaay too large, i'll add links instead)

http://imgur.com/gC0ESgW
http://imgur.com/wkjaEEA
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http://imgur.com/8W2RNXJ
http://imgur.com/uuGuzhT
http://imgur.com/aQEnGDu
http://imgur.com/rxZVGOD
http://imgur.com/k1nkzTq
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http://imgur.com/fe6RBuz
http://imgur.com/Q1Wq915

Welcome.

Take it from a dummy, check your chemistry.

Welcome to the forum PB

It's a bit late now but just a reminder to consider energy usage when deciding on a pump, not just the immediate price. Other considerations would be, is it designed to handle solids, how durable (will it last), what does the flow look like at various head heights. Here is an example to compare with yours -

http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/maxflopumps/maxflo600.php?link=141

The Wattage is 32 W vs 60 W for the Harbor Freight pump to push almost the same volume of water. The price is significantly more (around $80 on ebay) but depending on how much you run the pump and the price of your electricity, it may pay the difference in the first 2 years compared to the HF pump (assuming both pumps last that long). That's about $28/ year for the Laguna vs a bit over $52 for the HF based on a 10 cents per KWH rate. I'm not sure my calculations are correct so someone check to see if I'm close. I could see going either way but depending on the electricity costs.

I know others have purchased HF pumps but I don't know about their reliability. Laguna's are very reliable and they are designed to handle some solids.

Cheers

You make a good point regarding wattage, here on Long Island NY we have astronomically high power rates as we don't produce enough of our power and have to buy it from others. Also we're paying for a nuclear reactor that was defeated by NIMBYism that never went online. I'd reckon my kwh costs are nearly triple yours.

I do like however the fact that I got the pump with the extra warranty so I can go pick up a new one no questions asked. I already accidentally ran one dry and burned it out. They replaced it no problem.

Guitarwes:

I do plan on checking my chemistry, it's just that I felt the fish were so small and the tank so big at the moment that I could get away with a little bit of recklessness for the moment. I did go through a stage where algae seemed to bloom and the tank did smell a bit of fishy ammonia. I covered it, did a 1/4 water change and added barley straw extract. In two days the water was crystal clear, I assume that the bacteria kicked in at that time and helped process some of the waste. Of course trusting my own intuition with my lack of experience at the moment is clearly illogical. I'll pick up some test kits tonight.

My main battle right now is with my squash. They're simply too big and they're overtaking the system. I've come up with a plan, I'm putting them in their own 5 gallon buckets that I'm plumbing together.

http://imgur.com/eBuLVZL

http://imgur.com/Zrezh5p

Thanks for the tips folks.

I guess I never considered the wattage when it comes to energy usage. I have two HF pumps and swear by HF quality and price as long as they have good reviews. I have that one pump he posted running my smaller blue barrel line for my bananas and it performs well. I take out the mesh filter before using them because all that does it get gunked up and inhibits the pumps strength. I also have there 1hp waste water pump and its done very well. Even went all night moaning with out water when I had that disaster with my system. I dont mind my electric bill at the moment considering its tied to my studio and everything I use there including a kiln.

Nice build!

Ultimately I hope to do an all 12v/solar setup. Ever since Hurricane Sandy I'm very conscious on having a backup power supply. We went over a week without power on my street and that would mean certain death for my system. I'll keep my 120 VAC stuff for a backup.

Id like to do the same. I considered having a voltage switch during the night when the solars cut off. Believe theyre called Automatic Load Transfer Switches. But upon a quick google they are not cheap. There is an instructable on how to build one with a parts list etc. I know nothing about circuit boards though. Plus its for a simple light as an example and wouldnt know what to look for when "beefing up" one to handle a pump. I recently purchased the 20 dollar 12v bilge pump from harbor freight. Its small but rated at 1000gph. Tested it yesterday and it does put out a strong flow and is rated to have 13ft head lift. I hooked it up to my 12v lawn mower battery with my 45watt solar connected. Im sure it could go the full cycle on without draining the battery but night time is still the issue. Im not against HF stuff as many people are, as long as the reviews are good. Ive had a good experience with most of their stuff.

I'm usually the same. I have had 3 of the HF smaller 92gph pumps crap out on me. Have a mistake and they run dry for a few hours is all it takes to make them noisy until they just end up failing a month or so. I have been playing with one of their older model utility pumps and still has been going good for 15 years. Suck mud and water out of a hole and forget to turn it off for a few days...defiantly the must uncared for pump but has not failed me.