Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I am based in East Malvern, VIC, and have been stalking this forum for a while, putting in my 2c worth here and there.

After some time, I have finally taken the plunge. I purchased an IBC on ebay that used to hold wine, and should hopefully be picking it up very soon (when I get a response from the seller)

I also have a square plastic pond that was used as a sandpit with drainage holes in it. I am thinking of blocking the holes and building a wooden base to hold it as a GB. I can then have an SLO system which drains to the GB and then to a sump (yet to get one of these- may just use one of the millions of plastic tubs we have at home and see how it goes.)

I am looking at trying a "Ben and glenn Aquazen" type pump (airlift) to start with. I know that air lift pumps are frowned upon because of their (lack of) efficiency, but if I can get it to work as they do, it may stand a chance.

I took pictures of the position of where the system is hopefully going to go (depending on the Boss' OK) but there was a strange thumb like protuberance that appeared in the photos. Don't know how that happened.

Anywhoo, I will post shots when the IBC arrives.

Awesome mate, looking forward to the process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Picked up my IBC yesterday

Woo hoo. $36 from Ebay.

Just need the BIL to weld up my first GB and I will have a SLO system with 2m^2 of GB.

$36! That's a great price, awesome!

Ok,

I have made slightly more progress. The plans have changed from a media bed to vertical towers. I have the IBC, pump, tower plumbing and matala filter matting ready to go.

Now all I need is to drill and cut the 100mm piping and find the time and I will be set. I intend to attach the vertical towers to the wall and have them running into the pipe with the 90 degree angle on it back into the IBC.

Does anyone know what size uniseal is best for the cap to the bottom IBC tap? I intend to put a long slotted pipe through it to act as a solids lift, but want it watertight if possible.

I will keep you informed.

More progress (although very slow with four kids under 10)

I have drilled out the vertical grow beds and filled them with Matala matting.

I now just have to fix them to the wall and set up the air lift.

Wish me luck.

Photos coming

Ok,

Here are the photos of a step by step



I have 4 (at the moment) 100mm PVC pipes that I cut 1m long and drilled a 1 inch hole around 100 mm in from the end (forgive the jumping from imperial to metric.



I then used a jigsaw to cut to each hole. (I did not cut all the way on the first cut as that bowed the pipe if I did.)



I then cut Matala matting to fit the pipes and there you have it. My first 4 vertical planters. I will put bandage in the middle of each as a wick and there you go.

Now I need to do the rest and stop procrastinating.

Another update.

Worked on the system over the weekend and built the airlift
pump. (the air pump line is still waiting for a uniseal)



After building the airlift to the letter, I put the IBC back in place



It is now ready for the IBC drain connector and all the uniseals I have coming from the US.

Once that is done, I will see how efficient the airlift pump is and if it is no good, I will replace it with a normal pump.

Fingers crossed.

Finally got the airlift working (I had to tweak it several times and lower the height of the pipe a few inches.)

It lifts about 1m above the waterline at the moment with a 35W air pump. Not bad. Now I just have to see how much flow I get.

I will post results as soon as I have them.

Forgot to add.

I added a window to the IBC so the kids can see the fish.

Filled it up yesterday and no leaks.

Woo Hoo.



By the way, when cladding the IBC, do you pre drill holes in the frame or just use self tapping screws? (Will that even work?)

looking good so far mate.

predrill the holes in the cage, it will save accidentally puncturing the IBC

Thanks for the tip IceMan, and thanks again for the tips on the weekend.

OK.

Short update.

The airlift was working (not so well) with an ACO-318 35W air pump(cheap chinese pump). It looked like it was pushing through around 100ltrs an hour.

I did a few tweaks on the system, and it improved it somewhat, but not brilliantly.

I decided that I would try one last thing and get a better air pump. I bought a Danner AP-40 40W air pump from the US and attached it last night.

What a difference. The amount of water it was pushing out was phenomenal (comparatively). I do not have enough outlets at the moment, so I had to throttle back the water output. I think that I will be turning over at least 600litres an hour (I will have to test it later this week), but the initial results seem promising. I have just over 850 Litres in the system, so I am getting up there. Once I open a few more outlets for water to escape, I will test it and see how much is coming out.

I will see if I can post a video of this.

Congrats on getting the airlift to work so well.
I'm planning on a small system using an airlift but was aiming for zero head, I never would have thought one would lift so high. I'll still be using one for moving water rather than lifting it but it's still cool to know it can be done, irrespective of the efficiency.

Yes i second that thats a fair old lift,what dia is your riser for the airlift ? in terms of efficiency the smaller the better in regards of lift,it looks like 3/4 in the pic 1/2 might flow the same but using less air and your elbow at the top turn it up the other way again that might help a little bit,every little helps with airlifts, another thing that might worth trying is to put a T piece directly after the T piece at the top,you may need to put a short vertical piece of pipe in,but this will help bleed of the air which could improve the flow.
Looking good.....

Bodgy looking forward to your updates on your airlift system.