Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So I am making some progress with the plumbing to the grow beds. Got my valves and bulkhead fittings through the post but had a slight size issue, internal diameter vs external diameter so had to make some sleeves to make it fit together.

My biggest issue now is working out where to put my sump. I was going to use an old aquarium but at 180 ltr I think it's too small. I have a spare ibc I can cut down but putting that in the greenhouse as well will leave me short of space to get to my fish tank easy and cuts down on the room for more grow beds. I could dig something in but a little worried about disturbing the concrete blocks the greenhouse sits on.

I need to sort it out as I want to run water through it all by the end of the weekend.

Dan

Can't make up my mind is 180 Ltr too small? Each grow bed is 135 ltr empty.

Too small.

It'd probably work, but you'll be refilling frequently, and if you overfilled, you'd have water draining onto the floor when the grow beds all dump at once.

Go the IBC, I'd keep it whole and dig it into the ground personally. Can't have too big of a sump tank, and you'll appreciate the size of it later.

I have water flowing! Got to get some more media, but that may have to wait until payday. Photos to follow.

One question I have is around sealing my greenhouse plastic to stop draughts, I wanted to run silicon around the panels but was worried about the ingredients of domestic silicon impacting the fish if condensation drips into the tank/system. Any suggestions?

Nice system! Newb here, but expert in tropical aquarium fish. We use Silicone Type 1 (the one with no mildew chemical agents) to seal the tanks. You usually leave it 24 hours or more to cure/dry. I'd venture to guess you'll be fine using this type of silicon to seal your GH.

These guys have compiled a list of silicone and adhesives that are fish safe
http://albertaaquatica.com/?showtopic=36149

If your just looking for a sealant the GE 100% silicone looks like a good bet. I think I used this on one of my First systems.

Cracking thanks

Hi Dan
Looking good. Fish safe silicone E bay £3.45.
What have you decided to do with the sump?
Have you thought about your fish choice yet?

Going to run constant flood for a while as I don't have the room in the greenhouse for a bigger sump, so currently I am using a spare growbeds I have. Fish - I am still planning on trout eventually but I think I will start with some koi, until September time anyway.

One job I have to do is increase the number of holes in my slo at the moment it is slightly falling behind the flow into the tank. I have it disconnected at the moment and running the water round from the tank surface to filter out the odd bit of swarf left and dust from the media. I did wash it but there is still quite a bit. I guess I should have done a better job but it was raining and cold so rushed it a bit.

I need to think about cycling now - still can't decide if to hunt down some ammonia or use feeder fish. What did you use?

How is your system getting on with all this random weather we are having?

Dan

Hi Dan
Slits better than holes in the base of a SLO.
I use a compression connection for the SLO and this enables me to move it over a 30* angle in the IBC.
Cycling: I used fish. They died. It hurt. With hindsight I would use ‘Humonia”
My system is all outside.
I am a bit obsessive about temperature and forecasts.
I have four thermometers.
One in each of the fish tanks. One in the sump and ambient air temperature.
The main aim is to keep both FT’s above 4.5*C
I have a 150W heater in the small (Perch) tank on constant. An additional 300W heater is in the sump. This heater I use as required. Constant monitoring of weather forecasts.
I am in the middle of constructing new NFT and trickle tower.
Fingerless gloves for working outside. Yesterday they went a bit blue. I weakened and had a brandy. Haven’t enjoyed myself so much for a long time.
In the Sierra Nevada in Spain they have a drink: brandy and hot chocolate. A La Mumba! Viva!

I have slits already, every inch along the bottom of the slo, running corner to corner in the ibc. It is slowly losing against the pump so need to increase the number a bit, I would rather do that than slow the pump.

Good idea on the compression fitting, kicking myself that I didn't think of it before I glued it!

I am cool with humonia but not sure the wife would be keen.

I have bought a few one wire temperature sensors to hook up to a raspberry pi computer so think I am going the same way regarding obsession. Last couple of days my tank has remained at six degrees. Greenhouse jumped up to 14 degrees in the sun today but is back at three tonight.

I may have to heat it a bit to allow cycling. Wife suggests I wait until it warms up a bit , which makes sense but I didn't put a greenhouse in the snow and ice to wait until it's warmer.

Dan

Just received my new API testkit through so thought I would give it a go. PH is high at 8.1 and the test registered some Ammonia 0.25 even though I have done nothing to the water yet. Is it likely that the water would already have some ammonia in it? I have no fish and have added nothing.

Dan

Collum, is there a specific ratio for ST to FT? Or is it the whole volume of water that needs to be considered?