Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I found out my drimmel tool can cut the IBC frame but I'm going through discs like non-ap water. Oh well, last frame and that part is done.

Meanwhile there was painting. She looks like she could wear that for Halloween. That stare was because she knew I was inside in the AC on BYAP while she did all the work.




bulkheads were fit.



There was even drainage testing with and some adjustments to get the GB level-ish.

Then we were almost attacked by a horde of Great American White ibis, but saved by a mighty Canadian Labrador.




Usually its otters and turtles. But we also get a cool pink spoonbill.

Once the next set of GBs were dry we attached more bulkheads and water tested our drainage. No leaks no drips... yet.






So we're up to 4 of 6 GBs with drainage tested. I know it seems silly but it was comforting seeing the water flow into the sump and knowing that everything thus far is draining correctly. I'm sure seeing it work because of the pump and overflows will be even more rewarding.

Also you may notice the blue painters tape on the floor, it marks off DWC bed area.

I could never get rotozips to work correctly. I use an angle grinder. It fast became my favorite tool.

looks almost like the same thing only the angle grinder is not pretending to be an oversized drimmel tool at the same time it is trying to be a grinder. I can never find the parts I need for that rotozip. I will try to pick one up used to keep costs down.

I'm now the proud owner of a angle grinder, and it turns out because Ron the pirate said so is a good enough reason to spend money on craigslist. We need a boat!

That thing was so much more powerful then the rotozip!


So the last GB was cut and sprayed with cold galvanize painting still a little bit tonight (via bike light hanging in an orange tree) we don't sleep.

Only the dog sleeps around here.


And finally I have a question about how Ryan secured his 4 walls at the ends.

(note the above is from Ryan's Back Porch Build)
His photos above are from a 4x8 foot DWC bed.

I am also still open to other framing designs for a DWC bed roughly that same size.

I used screws on mine, and think Ryan did to?? I used plywood on the bottom and sides as well, then screwed the plywood to the 2 x 4's. Also used metal fasteners, "L" brackets on tops of corners. Probably over built, but that's OK.

It looks as though you dog is ready to get grinding!

Ron, I noticed that too, He knows he will get some crispy fish tails if he keeps me in check.

Chris, I'm with you on the L brackets. As for screws vs nails. Screws sound like a lot less work then swinging a mallet all day, I was thinking I should treat it like framing a wall. So you spared me some effort with that suggestion.

I even considered long threaded screws and bolts for the corners.

Actually, Id prefer a nice Eastwing 24oz framing hammer over a screw gun, but figured the screws are stronger. You won't need nuts and bolts on corners. Your sheeting with plywood after framing...right? The plywood lends a ton of strength.

I built mine similar to Ryans, I used decking screws and wood glue.

Screws are less likely to work themselves out, but nails have better shear strength. Personally I solve the shear strength issue with more screws....

Charlie yours is so similar it looks like one inspired the other. Or, its just the standard method and I'm just realizing it. Obviously that is the design to go with. So the next photo I post will hopefully look like yours. I'm afraid to say that upfront I don't want to let you down now!

Any thoughts on the liner? I saw a few of the older crowd commenting on the fact that even the 6mil can work if you're on a budget. But I have found edpm cheap online for about half the cost from a major local chain so I don't mind paying a little more if its worth it. I need to place the order for that soon if its being shipped.

Chris, yes I will be sheeting with treated ply once the frame is built out.

Ron, Good to understand screws verses nails a little better when I built that green house roof I was standing 10 feet up balanced between 24 inch rafter beams swinging a 30 lbs mallet. I felt like I should invent some new form of yoga for thrill seekers. Like the old Karate Kid movie where he kicks while balanced on the old dock pylon. I don't know how the roofer and scaffolding guys do it! In my mind I was 80 stories up.

Small update... We bought some PT wood and deck screws for the frame tonight. We are changing the location of the DWC bed to run along the fence instead of on the cement. We want to use that space for a seating area instead. The dwc will end up being longer but thinner. We will probably only fit 3 rows of plant width but again I personally do not need a lot of DWC type leafy greens. I care most about the media beds due to wider variety of plants it can support.

Yep, I copied ryans design but I made my own lengths to suit the area it had to fit into. I think from memory it was about 350mm deep. I used pond liner from bummings but it was pricey. Just make sure you measure twice and cut once!





Muz1970 used a couple layers of builders plastic which is what Ill do for my next build. He uses it in media beds without trouble so thats good enough for me.

Charlie Your photos make it a little easier to see how the overlap should happen on the corners too. I kept thinking there should be something different happening in that area.

I found some thin 20 mil HDPE 5'x'19' for $47.50 shipped. I can't believe the construction grade could hold up even with media and a peacock in the beds for Muz. But I want the thicker grade since I think I found a deal.

from Muz1970 http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=13682&start=180
Now that is just showing off!

Yea he's a show off that guy hehe. I never thought it would work as you would think the gravel would pierce the liner but he's never posted of any issues so Im happy with that.

With the liner just go for hospital corners in each end, I used bricks to weigh it down initially then when you have the liner kinda how you want it to lay just start filling the bed and adjust the liner as it fills up. It takes a bit of time but its not super hard once you get started. It doesn't need to be perfect as you don't really see it when its full of water but the smoother the bottom is the less chance you have of build up of fine wastes. I also faced the folded corners away from the direction of water flow.