Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Please help me out I've made a Google sheet based on the bio-filtration from this
http://biofilters.com/websize.htm
My numbers i calculated from the site are on there im not sure you can view the formulas.


https://docs.google.com/a/smithville.k1 ... sp=sharing

Your spreadsheet isn't set to 'public' I can't view it.

Sorry haha,
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

Anyone? I'm not sure if I got the equations right

I really should have named this Bio-Media Equation

Hi Dagger
I can sense the frustration in your posts.
Let’s sit down and I will buy you a cyber beer.
Now explain to me very simply what you are trying to achieve. What are your problems?
I cannot promise I have any answers but I will listen.

Thank you very much I'm just trying to figure how much media I need for my system this page makes it an equation so I should be able to make it on Google sheets so I can easily change diffrent variables easily and potential someone else can do it to figure out how much media they need aswell

You are welcome.
Glad to try and help. You must meet me half way. The plan is in your head but not on paper or more accurately a computer screen.
I understand what you are trying to do with the spreadsheet but make it, as simple as possible. Don’t over estimate my ability to understand.
User friendly!
Four places of decimals is probably a bit too much for back yard aquaponics.
Mixing metric and American units is never a good idea.
The lasting impression from reading the document is that too little bio-filtration can be a problem. Too much not. Think of a number and double it. Don’t over complicate.
NFT requires super clean water. In addition to bio-filtration, you will need to ‘polish ‘ it. The answers are on this site you just have to read them. Use the search function.
Ryan and Coach Chris ‘s threads will help
Good Luck

Alright, I will help people understand I will create a post dedicated to it, I will also use a 6000$ 3D modeling software to make it and dimension it. The problem with just doubling the amount of media filtration is that it's very expensive I don't mind going a 1/3 over what I need but we just don't have the money to spend on the media, container and other things involved in a large grow bed.

Wilson Lennard has already done a calc for this purpose:

http://www.aquaponic.com.au/calculators.htm

and Paul vdW has dpone one for MBBR type bio filters:

http://www.earthanedge.com/aquaculture- ... alculator/

If you don't have the money for lots of media, an MBBR with DWC may be a cheaper approach.

Never heard of MBBR and I believe those calculators are more for Bio-filters like bio balls than wet media

..
I would be curious as to how a fancy spread-sheet computation, would compare to the basic rules-of-thumb..

I can't help thinking that it is easy to over-complicate the whole process..
..
.

True I'm probably over complicating the thing

You input the surface area of the media, so it can be used for anything, but you need to find out the surface area of each media type. The square metres per cubic metre of media.

The Lennard one is specifically for media beds - and is constrained by what constrains media beds - the mineralisation of solids (assuming no solids filtering)