Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I hear that

Work has been slow the past few days. Very hot Friday, visitors from the UK yesterday & it has just hit 40c outside so we have had enough.
Maybe we can get a few more hours in before dark.
I'll let the pictures show you the progress.


Crates being washed for the wicking beds.

Crates wrapped in geo-fabric & pipework in place. I have put an air tube/ filler tube in as well, in case I run them separately from the AP system.

The sand is in the trailer waiting to be shovelled into the base of the WBs. I will then place more geo-fabric on top of the sand, before filling with compost, soil & sand.

I know my system is almost finished, but here is a plan (there were many but this is final!)

More progress pictures of the pipework & bracketing.
A few tonnes of sand, soil & mulch to fill the WBs & rafts to make.
I am looking at using corflute which will float above the water on a framework creating a small air gap. Any comments or ideas regarding rafts would be appreciated.



and, please forgive me...apparently I have sinned
I put a pipe on the diagonal & was told I was lucky it was at the back & no one would see it.
'Pipes must run vertical & horizontal with 90deg bends' (according to he who knows).

I don't think it matters for CF, just siphons. I have siphons with long horizontal and short diagonal runs, as long as the first drop is vertical and you get the flow going. Nice looking job so far. I really am thinking of wicking beds. With the RAS system, I'm going to have lots of "free" fertilizer and water.

Hi CC, it is nothing to do with function- all about looks! Too many years in wineries running kilometres of ss pipe work.
The verdict is still out on the wicking beds- these will be my first foray. I'll keep you posted.

For your DWC bed, I got the foam from here:
http://www.coolfoam.com.au/

Was cheap and delivered from Elizabeth West.

They'll cut it to size you want.

I think you'll run into problems with the corflute being above the water. With water level changes, and things like that.

Team, I get it now. All about using levels and keeping things looking professional. I have 2- diagonals from my shade cloth filter to my MBBR in the fish house...guess I flunk too.

Man I hope whoever is judging you doesn't look at my pipe work, I don't think any of it is straight!


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I have had a few flow issues since turning the system on. Trying to balance GBs, DWC & WBs has proven to be difficult. The WB can back up if the flow increases slightly, the GBs don’t stop syphoning if flow in is too fast, & I am not sure at what rate water should flow through the DWC (it holds 1200lt). The water height in the sump seems to noticeably alter the head pressure into the FT, which then also alters the flow to the GBs & WBs.

Cycling is nearly complete with .25 of Nitrites present & Nitrates at approx. 20-40. The pH is higher than I have ever had at 8.2 – I shall leave it alone until I get fish & then try to match it with what they have come from. I have read that Hydrocorn can raise pH, but I am not convinced that this is the case. I have thrown in seeds which are now sprouting & planted a few seedlings of beetroot & some colourful coleus in the GBs.

The DWC is not finished completely. A stainless capping which will secure the liner to the frame & also creates a 40mm ledge at water level needs to be screwed down. Unsure as to what material to use for rafts, I have opted for the least expensive – free coreflute! This can float directly on the water or be raised once the plant roots are long enough & be suspended on 20mm pvc pipe to create an air gap. This trial has cost $20 for the pipe & if it works will be a cheap floating system. If not, I will replace the coreflute with polystyrene, which can still sit on the ledge. I have drilled the holes for the Growgrips & planted some strawberry runners & small seedlings in them.

Time will tell how it all goes!

I've been using corflute over my DWC for a while now and haven't had any problems, I only have two support rods for a 1200 x 1000 tank, it could do with a couple more but all in all it's pretty good.

Me too, I need a few more support rods, but holding up well. Looks good HC!

I was at a big box hardware store looking for bulkhead connectors for large diameter pipe when I realized I didn't know how you installed a bulkhead in corrugated tin. Mind if I asked you to elaborate?

Doh! sorry. Flat tin on the ends!

Hi Brian, I bought rubber gaskets for corrugated tin. I realise you are in the US, but you will be able to see what they look like from this site.
http://www.irrigationwarehouse.com.au/prod2648.htm
Good luck!