Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hey Porter,
Just trying to research more info on your CF design so I can have a better understanding of how it works and the pro's and con's?

[color=#00BFFF]http://ccres-aquaponics.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/designs-of-ccres-aquaponics.html
"One of the means of overcoming this problem is to have the outlet back to the fish tank at a higher point and to keep the grow bed permanently flooded to a certain level. This improves the situation but it's still not ideal, plant roots can become waterlogged, areas of the grow bed can become stagnant and anaerobic, as the flow of fresh water through the bed moves around any blockages. Ideal the media filled grow beds should be moist 90% of the time to take advantage of greater biofilter properties, which enables a stronger bacteria colony, as well as greater growing area for plants, while also keeping as much of the media filled bed flowing as freely as possible without any blockages."

Can you refer some reading or direction so I can learn more about CF.

I can see the advantage of not having to bury the ST's but from your diagram I have some questions?
What is the water level in the ST's and Balancing Tank? Are they the same as the GB's water level?
My understanding that in the GB's, the CF stand pipe would work same as a siphon where the water is drawn from the bottom by a larger pipe with slots\holes at bottom with a smaller diameter pipe fixed protruding thru the GB where the water is directed up and over and down the pipe back to the ST's and balancing tank?

I am thinking the flow of the water from the SLO from the FT would mostly only be around CF stand pipe?

Is the return piping constantly full of water ?

I am wondering how is all the water in the GB's circulated?

Finally after over a year of reading and researching AP, I have finally made the start. You get to a point where you feel you have explained your plan to so many ppl but nothing has started?
Thanks alot to the help on this site and members such as Redang and Porter, I decided to go full hog and dig in 3 x IBC's for the ST.
So the following pics show the fun (NOT!!!!) that can be had digging rock hard clay!

Progress happening, pray for no rain

Now its starting to look like a mass grave, hard work and interruptions to throw a green ball

Nearly done, cages fit neatly, but why not dig another 100mm lol

Now what to do with all that dirt you might think???, well plan is back fill the hole then double handle the dirt to level out the yard which slopes down to the ST's. Just in case having to move in the future I will be able to fill up the hole

I decided over the uniseals option to connect the IBC's by using screw on fittings, then insert short piece of pipe to glue on connecting fittings such as the elbows and "T" fittings.

I wrapped the IBC's in geotextile then with the use of liquid nails i glued it together to hopefully filter the ground water that will collect.
The ground is hard clay so I am hopeful it wont collapse and with the geotextile wrapped around the IBC's will be enough to allow the ground to swell and contract after I backfill it.

I decided to only cut out a smaller part the IBC tops as shown to help increase their strength, I guess if need I can cut out more later.

Now the fun bit, getting it in the ground by yourself. Grab hold and lean back as you push it gently forward into the hole then BANG!!! its IN

Now fill with water to test out if the plumbing is going to leak from the drop ????

2 days have passed and I have no leaks
I have put pavers around the plumbing so in the event I had leakage I can dig down to the pavers to access rather than trying to remove dirt around everything.

Scored off Ebay last nite these 20 beams of pallet racking for $100 which I am picking up tomorrow.
I will use these to support the IBC GB's. Thanks Rendang for the idea

That is an epic hole Dangus! Can't wait to see your build as it progresses

Glad to see you are finally underway.
I find this is the most exciting part of AP - except when you put your first complete AP meal on the table!
Good luck with the build & keep the pics coming.

I thought digging a hole in clay for one IBC was tough, this is epic!

Can't wait to to see system unfold!


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$5 bucks each, bargain. Any luck with the bessa blocks ?