Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Whoops You're so cheeky..
the design?

I cant see why it wouldnt work, as long as you can ensure the pump tank doesnt run dry or overflow.

It would pay to add a float switch to the pump so that it cannot run dry.

If the pump is before the RFF, you might have trouble with too much pressure, or the solids being broken up and not settling. I'd put it between the FT & ST.

Also, I'm guessing you know this, but make the sump larger. It looks like a barrel in the picture. You don't want to have to top it up regularly, or regulate it with a float valve (but if you're filling up from a water tank, and that runs dry, you might be in for an issue if you're not there daily.).

Yeah this was you're initial design Colum.

The idea was so that if there is a problem the pump doesn't drain the tank and fish die.
300$ worth of fish or 400$ pump -

I like the idea of RFF between the tank and pump/sump thingy.

The idea is the Fish tank level will be refilled by the growbeds returning and then overflow (SLO) into a seperate tank (RFF or PUMP barrel) so it wouldn't run dry as long as the flow is sufficient.

Would be the same 'running dry' if it was just pump in fish tank though, yes?

Looking at Laguna maxflo pumps - do they have float valve?

What size tank do you have for your sump/pump tank. Remember it needs to handle all the return water from the grow beds if the power is out. Amusing you put drain holes in your stand pipes.

Yes, the RFF would be much better between the FT and the ST. Because of the flows required to turn over the tank, Im concerned about the efficiency of the RFF, someone like Stuart (better at fluid dynamics) would be better to comment on that one and how to size correctly.

The sump pump would definately need to be on float (hence my comment on running dry), and sized so overflow wont be an issue. If the GB's are flood and drain there will be times when nothing is draining and then other times when everything is draining, everything needs to be sized to accomadate that.

In its basic form its CHIFT PIST, its just larger volumes.

My pump has a run dry feature. So it pops out of gear if there isn't enough resistance from water. It should say if it does on the description of the one you're buying.

I'd recommend the float valve being in the sump though, hooked up directly to the rainwater tank and at a position you want the water height. Already too late if the water is getting that low (in my opinion anyway).

For the RFF, the solids want 3 minutes to be suspended in the tank for them to settle to the bottom. So work out the water flow, how much water will flow in 3 minutes, eg, a 5000LPH pump will pump 250L of water in three minutes, so you'll want a RFF larger than 250L. I think . Larger will be better.

Actually, scrap that.

You need to work out how fast the water returning from the siphon will be. So if the bed holds X amount of water, and drains completely in 30 seconds, the RFF needs to be able to handle the flow of the beds returning siphon. I tried a barrel at home, and it was way too small for that reason.

That is where a sump after the beds comes into its own. It will smooth out the water pulses from the beds by being able to pump at a slower rate from the sump but continuously into the fish tank.

Ahh okay getting it - keep an eye on this thread - I'll try a few things this sat and ask a fee more question this week .
I would run 90mm pipe between things


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you get uni seals for 90mm pipe? I couldn't find anything that'd fit. Plus the walls of the pipe would be softer, might not create a good seal?

90mm uniseals work well!!

I bought some smaller uniseals in aus but just bought a bulk lot from US - 3-4$ each


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So a few sumps...

Also put a return to fishtank from the pump barrel.

I am thinking of 50mm from pump to rff