Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello:

I'm new to Aquaponics and this forum so please forgive the dumb question(s).

My wife and I live in the mountains in Mexico and enjoy the wonderful climate here. Today, the temperature will be between 60 and 80 degrees with mostly sunshine and very low humidity. However, from May thru October we have heavy afternoon showers typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes.

My question is this: If I build a small system out of 2 IBC's (gravel media) that are outside without overhead covering......will the heavy rains flood and ruin my plants and the water quality in my system?

I appreciate your time,

Jeff

I think you'll be fine. Unless the rain is physically heavy enough to beat up and break your plants, or your system is at risk of flooding from the extra water, I don't think fairly short-lived heavy rainfall should mess with your system much.

I tend to think of the rain I get as a free water top-up.


PS: No apologising for asking questions!

I've been to Acapulco during the summer and know what you are talking about. You probably need to build in an overflow to handle the rainfall and divert whatever excess there is out of the system. Other than that it should be good. On the up side, it might actually help the water quality for the fish as long as there isn't any pollution coming in with the rainfall. On the down side their will probably be some dilution of the plant nutrients.