Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

You still haven't decided how big the bed will be and what the inflow will be. My guess is it will be big enough but then this is more Stuart's department than mine.

There are some charts on the internet that tell you the maximum flow of different pipe sizes by gravity and by pressure. These should tell you if the pipe size you choose is large enough to handle the flow if you don't want to mess with lots of calculations. Actually this calculator looks like it would be good - http://www.calctool.org/CALC/eng/civil/hazen-williams_g

It doesn't take into account any elbows which would reduce velocity but will give you the idea.

I'll be going with a 4' by 24' DWC and a 4' by 24' media grow bed. Not sure of depth. I was thinking 18" but I just pulled that out of my butt. What's the recommended depth?

Ryan does well with 12in deep DWCs.

That he does!

Is there any reason you wouldn't want your DWC tank say 4' deep?
At what point does the law of diminishing returns kick in for DWC depth?

Tx,

Seeing that UVI had their rafts set at 16in high. Now Ryan who is friends with Dr Rakocy, and other various high level people in this field and in aquaculture. Chose to run his a 12in, for a cost savings, with no ill effects. You want to bet he had a reason for it. Now a DWC that is 4ft deep would help keep the temperature stable for sure. But then you run into a flow issue. DWC beds are supposed to have their water turned over between once an hr to once every 4 hrs. So you would need a bigger pump to get this done (more electric). Besides that the amount of air you would need to pump into a bed that deep, to keep not only the DO constant throughout. But to also keep the nutrients mixed, would be horrendous (electric, plus bugger air pump because of depth). Ryan believes enough in the 12in DWC, to teach it at his workshop. For all these reasons and more, I would just follow the leader on this one.

Ok. So it will be 4' X 24' X 12"

Is the 12" include the styrofoam height?

Still not sure about the drain size.
Anything else I should be considering during this build be fore I get started?

I'll build these beds out of 2X4 wood plywood. Will 12" stud centers be good, overkill or just right?

Also what size plywood? 1/4", 3/4" or somewhere in between?

Being such a long bed, 24', do I need bracing to keep the side from bowing out?

Thanks

What do you all think of this construction design? Other than being to high, I think it really nice.

http://youtu.be/0aOm_k2sNKY

Seems like a lot of work for a dwc bed. Use a few 2 x 8's, screw them into some 4 x 4 posts put in the ground, and install you liner. You don't need a bottom, just make sure you have some of that nice florida sand down before laying out the liner.
Save your money on all that extra wood/hardware and use it toward your liner and plumbing.

+1 with Coach. MUCH cheaper to BUILD a his way plus all your needed support is already there. Bury the 4x4's 3ft down, and 1ft above the ground.

Went with a raised DWC do to my back problems. One of the features we have enjoyed from the barrel media grow beds is the height. The tops of these new beds will be at 28".

The frame sides and all are about complete yesterday. Today I need to put in the footers and post legs.

What kind of liner can I use? Anyone have an online source for the liner? White or black?

GB is 4' X 32' X 16" (1,277) gallons.

Roger that

The water depth will be 11.25". 16" - 3.5" for deck - 1/2" for plywood - 3/4" styrofoam insulation. There will be some edge planking to hold in the 3" styrofoam.

Still not sure of the drain size.

If you can get a hold of some old pallets. You can stack them up and then deck the top. This will give you great support for you dwc floor, very cheaply.

Floridafishin,

Thanks for the tip.

I wanted a more finished look for the backyard. The grow bed will be finished similar to the video I posted earlier and stained.

Deck, sides, legs, cross braces are all complete. Now I'm trying to figure out the logistics of the aquaponics remodel/upgrade before setting the pre made concrete footers while I wait for the liner.

I need liner.

Ready for liner dimensions (after insulation, plywood, etc...):

Sides 11.5"
Deck 48"

11.5" + 11.5" + 48 " = 71"


How much over hang of liner do I need? Dura Scrim comes in 72" and 138" wide rolls. Will 1/2" over hang be enough?