Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks to this whole forum. Have learned bunches,

I keep reading that to rig a better NFT system one should use flat bottomed tubes like PVC fence posts instead of round pipe. Beas looking into using PVC gutters and the gutter screens on top.??
Live in Indiana and winter is cold. Built a 12 x 8 room 12 feet tall. Sump and fish tanks are 100 gallon. Ebb and flow bed is a 4 foot baby pool. Have a 1000 watt HPS light and 3 tank heaters to keep fish happy. So far it has been 10 degrees F and have not added any other heat source as of yet. Coldest temp in the room has been 57 degrees. The one day I accidentally unplugged the water heaters. But usually lo temp of 64 F

So far lettuce and green peppers doing great. Peas climbing and blooming. Kale in dirt saved before the frost. Keeping it in a concrete mixing tub. Doing awsome

I keep reading that to rig a better NFT system one should use flat bottomed tubes like PVC fence posts instead of round pipe. Beas looking into using PVC gutters and the gutter screens on top.??

The best thing to use for true nft,round pipe works well but the water is deep in the middle going out to nothing at the edges,the round tube can get root bound more easily causing poor flow,poor oxygen for roots etc etc,with the flat bottom,with it set up properly you can have an even film off water the width of the gutter to flow over the roots which have more space to fan out across this area,making it superior in my opinion.

I was thinking of using electrical channel. Its UV treated and half the cost. PVC breaks down in sunlight overtime. The exposed stuff UV treated is grey in colour not to be confused with the under ground orange stuff.

Do you have a link to what you were thinking of using Blizzard? I am still undecided as to what I will use.

Azira, here is one I used in our house build. They are available in many sizes and are made of PVC.

How's the cost on the electrical trays. And what are u using to cap the ends. That's why I thought about gutters. End caps and drain fittings are easy. Also 90 degree turns and relatively cheep

The possibilities with cable trays are endless to explain them all on here. You can use them horizontal or vertical. You can use hose fittings to link them together or keep them as separate units. End caps are sold separately so are right hand bends. But your in the USA.

why don't you just buy NFT channels?

all cut and capped with little grow cups included.

Here is a web site for cable trays, fittings and some prices from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Think silicone would be necessary on joints.

As for why not buy NFT channels possibly price.

http://www.electriduct.com/Cable-Raceways.html

Forgot to mention the cable trays use on my house built were for wiring not AP so I don't really know how they would work out.

what $30.96 for a 12 ft hdpe channel with ends and cups and made for the job.

compared to a 3" x 2" PVC cable duct with no ends no holes no cups no pipe fittings $19.81 for 5ft length? and will be able to support the weight of the water and plants?

Just wondering where is it possible to get electrical channel in Oz? Do they also have end caps?