Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello again everyone. I'm close to expanding my system to the roof as I had planned, as well as my son's idea of building some towers next to the existing system. One concern I have is that if I use that thin tubing as in hydroponics, they'll eventually start clogging with fish gunk, requiring constant maintenance. I thought about putting a pvc gate valve on each inlet, but I can see that getting expensive. Any thoughts?

1/2" pvc ball valves will work. I used black irrigation tubing in my towers, and then used to whack them occasionally with a stick if they clogged. Not very scientific, but it worked. I put 2 small tubes in each tower, in case 1 would clog. I used 1/2 poly tubing then 1/8" irrigation tubing inserted into the 1/2 poly. I had a pvc header pipe with a ball valve and would occasionally open it up and flush out the line. The end of the poly tubing is folded over and held in place with a wire tie, piece of pipe or hose clamp. Remove the clamp and flush the line clean. If this line is after your RFF, it will be mush easier.

I've pretty much given up on the towers. Not nearly as efficient as a DWC bed, and harder to plant and maintain. I still have a tom that grew from seed and gave me probably 12-15 pounds of cherry toms though. Roots went all the way down through the bottom of the tower and into the sump! About 8' total.