Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ahaha love the enthusiasm! You'll be fine!


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Existing pond is still going full steam ahead. Growbed should be installed this weekend now that the frame's done. Then it will be all plumbed up and make sure it's running ok before the cladding goes on.
It will still be my pretty system, while this one is going to mean less compromises for aesthetics. Although I still think it's actually a very nice looking system personally.


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OK guys and gals:

For anyone not familiar with the system we are working with:

>>>>Joel's System<<<<<
It is also covered in great detail in Joel's book which I've just very much enjoyed reading several times late at night

Briefly, it consists of:

4x large growbeds 1.8m diameter x 0.3m deep = total 3 cubic metres capacity (ish) or 760L (ish) per bed
1x just over 2000L fishtank 1.8m diameter x 0.9m deep
1x sump tank ~0.6m x 0.6-0.8m (ish) - I don't have the exact measurements so it's a guesstimate for that one.
2x pumps- no further details at hand sorry, will let you know.

This gives me a very nice amount of filtration for that sized tank.
After reading the above thread though and looking at the pictures, it's also given me heart palpitations at the expectations everyone no doubt has for this setup.
Not that I'm even going to pretend to try and fill those shoes, I just don't want to fail too spectacularly and I'll be happy.

EB had it set up with floats etc, which I've not dealt with before, and he suggested that there were some things he would tweak with the system next time around. Well... with access to all the greatest minds here on the forum, I am putting it out there to get your suggestions.

The best growing spot I have at my house is along the long, skinny side of my block next to the boundary fence.
It faces North and previously grew vegetables really well. It now grows weeds REALLY well.
The skinny & North aspect gives it great warmth and sunshine in Winter, but also some protection in Summer thanks to the 6ft solid fence on one side, and house on the other. It would also be very easy to rig up some extra shade in Summer if required.

But.... It is only 2.1m wide... The tank and beds are 1.85m(ish) wide... I have a bit of extra room where the windows are as I can walk over the sills too.
So it's going to be a tight squeeze, but I do think it's the best spot to optimise growth year-round.
It will keep me skinny to get past them if nothing else.
And being right next to my dining room window, there is plenty of incentive to go and tend to the beds before dinner

To retain the portability, as I do intend to move at some point in the next few years, and want to take the system with me, I would like to set this up on paving, and not dig anything in, which also limits my options.

So... please throw some ideas at me my lovelies - I am all ears.

p.s. I am only 5'3", so keep that in mind too

I am thinking maybe one long line, pushed up hard against the fence.
The plumbing can run along the fence line, and can be secured to the fence for support with saddle clips, where it will be out of the way, but still accessible since the tanks are round and only one point will be against the fence.

GB---GB---FT---GB---GB

So long as I leave a workable amount of room between the tanks, sowing and harvesting shouldn't be too much of an issue at all.

I will draw a picture tonight when I get home. Sketchup is making me want to throw my computer out the window today-grrrr!!!

Going to be a fun adventure!


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I can rebuild a multi-countershaft transmission but I'm buggered if I can work out Sketch up

I'm sure you will do the system proud, Kat. There is no pressure as your enthusiasm trumps any possible failures. It will be nice to see regular updates on this system as Joel has kept it in the dark for some time.

Hey Charlie, there's quite a few good Sketchup tutorial videos on the web which may help. Google the names of the tools you want to learn along with the words 'sketchup tutorial' and you should find them

That, and using the scroll wheel on the mouse to rotate/pan/zoom the project in Sketchup really helped me feel more comfortable using the program..

You know embarrassingly I've watched a number of those vids but still struggle. I'd rather sit with someone for 5 minutes so they can show me. Busy on the weekend Jono? Hehe

If only you were nearby Charlie

PM'd you

okey dokes. I drew a sneaky picture under my desk but when I pulled it out I realised it was far too awful to actually post. Even for me.

So... CHIFT PIST... I have a question.
If I wanted to run my GB-GB-FT-GB-GB line down the fence, could I have an outlet on either side of the tank to go to the 2x GBs on each side? I guess that would be 2x SLOs, and then obviously I have a pump in the sump. Would that work? Assuming the tank was level. Although I guess even that doesn't matter, depending on how far down the outlet is.

I'd still run it constant flood, constant flow I think. I terrify myself with the thought of fancy siphons.
No holes in the standpipe to try and mitigate the risk of overflowing everything. I figure the beds have drains so dealing with standing water is less of an issue than the alternative.
Can anyone see anything awful with this idea?

There is nothing awful with your idea at all. However you want to make it will be exactly how you should have it. When all said and done this is a hobby system so your bottom line isn't part of the equation to any great degree. As long as you're having fun with it is all that matters.

Regarding having the FT in the center between your four GB's, yeah, it will work as long as your pipe feeding the GB's is level. You can feed them both from one SLO which feeds into (I would actually have a 90* to a small drop and then another 90* to horizontal and then to...) a T-connector and branches off to each pair of beds. As long as you have ball valves to adjust flow at each bed you can make any adjustments necessary to your overall flow. When you adjust one it will affect the other three to some degree but eventually you can dial it in how you like it.

Don't be afraid of siphons. They aren't as scary as you think. It is actually very cool to hear them kick in and then stop in their normal cycle. I can hear mine right now outside my back window as I type this and it is just so cool!

Aha! This is true. I hadn't thought about using one SLO feeding both directions. I don't know why I didn't though.
I might have to see if i can find something a little more sensitive than the standard ball valve though, as it could be a very finicky exercise otherwise.

Thanks Squatch

Also I just saw that we both joined the forum on the same day - go us!

Woohoo!!! Picking up the system tomorrow!!!!

As I have some work to do on my existing pond (it's not quite level), I am probably going to very quickly set up part of the system to re-home some fishies for a little while. It will at least let me see how the access is in reality down that side of the house before I'm fully committed.

I'm so freaking excited!!!

Huzzah!


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Yay, more crap going out of the backyard tomorrow...

I have an IBC you can have if you want it Kat. If you thinking Chift Pist you will be wanting a bigger sump. You will want to think about where the sump is going, and how the beds will go for draining into it.