Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I thought it was time that I started my member thread. Still early days so not a whole lot to look at yet but I am trying to plan my system out and have a few questions I could do with your help on.

Basic info: To start with one 1000 ltr IBC for fish tank, going for CHOP 2 as I want media based beds (flood and drain on syphon loops) and DWC rafts so figured it was easier to use a sump + I want to add other tanks in later. I intend to have a swirl filter and am currently considering if I need another bio media tank as well (see questions).

Location: Norfolk UK.

Fish: Current plan is Trout given the temp here, not going to crowd the fish, its more about the plants and to start with I will use goldfish to get things going.

Because of the temp here ( -2C to 30C) I am using a greenhouse round my system. I want to be able to grown through the winter and will heat if required.

Pictures below is the frame of the 12' by 8' greenhouse going up. Along with IBC and staging roughly in place. I had to put these bits in now because they wouldnt fit once glazed. You can see the frost in the first shot, its cold here.





Shot of my spare IBC tank below, once used for lemon juice, cleaned with top removed.



Questions I have outstanding (i have been trying to work these things out for a while so if you can help that would be great)

1. I am struggling to get my growbed to tank ratio right. I want to use these http://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/fishtubs/drinking_trough_%28135_litre%29 but can only fit two media beds in, another two will be DWC so concerned that it wont be enough media for filter, what do you think? I cant fit more in at the moment and they are quite expensive. Would I need another bio filter?

2. Plumbing - thinking about using 32mm pipe but concerned that might be too small, thoughts?

Thanks Dan

I should add that the purpose of my system is partly to feed me and partly as a test/pilot to see what works well in this climate with a view to possibly building a bigger system on some rented land.

Hello Dan
GH looks good.With the frost you will certainly need it.
What size sump will you use and will it be in ground.

Hi Dan
Couple of thoughts;
Fish; 100% trout but consider introducing earlier to give them time to grow.
22C+ is not good for Trout. So either consider insulating FT and /or sinking in ground. Cooling is much harder then heating.
Your grow beds are similar to mine. Mine are half your size but equal in price from E Bay.
My system wasn’t really planned but evolved. I use 22mm plastic push fit for water supply and 40mm push fit for return. This allowed me to change without big expenses. Ball valves which most of our ‘cousins’ use are expensive and not easily obtainable in the UK. I have a local Screwfix, open 24/7 ish so tend to stick to standard stock.
I have 390 ltrs of wet clay pebbles for one IBC (750) + 225 FT2.
In the loop is a 25 ltre pre filter and a 40 ltr bio. However part of the thinking behind this is the ability to divide my system and run it as two separate parts.
Plans on this site for DWC built with timber and liner, another thought. Don’t forget airlines!
Wish I had the space for a greenhouse.
Good Luck

I was planning to use a 180 litre aquarium I have spare in the shed. Not planning on sinking the tank.

Dan

Hi Titus
Good to see someone else from the uk on here. Water temperature was a bit of a unknown for me so you can probably give me some pointers based on your experience during the summer. I know from my experience with tropical fish keeping that water cools and heats slowly so I was kind of hoping that whilst air temp during the day sometimes hits 30 I would get away with the water.

Thanks for the comment on the grow beds I need to stop moaning about cost and just buy them I guess. For plumbing do you mean 40mm push fit as in waste connectors with a rubber seal? And sorry last question what taps are you using because I haven't been able to find plastic ones in normal plumbing stores?

Dan

Nice GH! Looking forward to watching your progress. Maybe adding a RFF or some kind of prefilter before your media beds will help remove some of the excess solids that would otherwise wind up in your DWC bed.

Hi Dan
Yes, 40 mm push fit. Then you can go down to 32mm for tight spots and up to 40m compression If needed.
As I said I use Screwfix. However most of my plumbing is done after work or at weekends and they are open when I need them. 20mm JD push fit taps. Not the best but works for me.
Who knows what the weather will be like this summer!
But 22*c is bad news for trout. Grow beds and or DWC/tubes act as radiators in reverse. Increasing the heat.
Three or four warm days on the trot and you watch the temperature climbing. Not good.
My second FT has 50mm foil backed insulation, I forget the ‘U’ value but pretty, good stuff.Tonight there is a one degree temperature difference.
My choice is Perch. 12 months including the summer.Trout in and out in six months .Hope to miss the high summer heat.

Thought I should give an update. This week I have been gathering materials ahead of the weekend, although it's meant to snow so how much I will get done I don't know. This week I got the 3500 litre pump I intend to use, grow beds should be here tomorrow and I got my polycarbonate for the greenhouse.

I haven't mentioned this before because it was all a little 'raw' but I got the greenhouse off eBay, perfect size but was an hour and a half away and needed taking down. We took it down really carefully and only lost a few panes even though they were In with mastic. However on the drive home things didn't go so well and out of the 100 or so panes I had I think I broke around 75! I filled a wheelie bin with broken glass, at £3 ish each that's no joke. Anyway I can talk about it now because deciding that me and glass don't mix well I have bought enough polycarbonate to do the whole thing in plastic. It cost a fair bit but wasn't as bad as the glass in the end and now it's done.

Dan

Hi Dan
Tough luck with the glass.Good luck this weekend. I too am planning some modifications this weekend and also keeping an eye on the weather.
You didn’t say but if you are using clay pellets wash it really well
Titus

tough luck indeed. I'm going to pick up a dozen big plates of glass this weekend myself. Any suggestions on how to not stack them?

You should stand them up on edge not lay flat. I did put mine on the edge leaning in a crate but I didn't wedge them in so they decided that they wanted to lean the other way and the only thing to stop them was the other side of the crate, hard. Tip use old sheets to keep them where they should be!

Oh I feel I should put some sort of disclaimer on this but then again my track history with glass is really bad so you may want to follow someone else's guidance

1. I am struggling to get my growbed to tank ratio right. I want to use these http://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/fishtubs/ ... 5_litre%29 but can only fit two media beds in, another two will be DWC so concerned that it wont be enough media for filter, what do you think? I cant fit more in at the moment and they are quite expensive. Would I need another bio filter?

Size your media beds working on having 20 litres of wet media minimum per fish,your DWCs will act as filtration as well especially with extra air added.

2. Plumbing - thinking about using 32mm pipe but concerned that might be too small, thoughts?

There are a couple of excellent threads here by Stuart Chignell concerning sizing pipe work,definitely worth a read,even if it is a little confusing....

I am a X Bristol boy,don’t miss the cold...

This time of year that makes me very jealous. Thanks for your help. Dan

So I am making some slow progress. Being held up by bits and pieces on order.

Greenhouse now glazed with polycarbonate.



End shot of greenhouse.


First couple of grow beds in place




This weekend I am doing some initial plumbing so hopefully more photos tomorrow.

Dan