Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi folks
Lou here

I dont know where to go in the forum to ask basic questions

I'm new at this forum thingy and a little confused. can someone help please?

Oh, that seemed to work.
I guss I'll try my Question.

In a flood & Drain system is it necesary to have an irrigation grid or can I desighn the system with the minimal of plumbing.
in other words 1 pipe to flood at top of bed & another to drain at the bottom of the bed?

yep you can Lou. By using the grid system we are able to distribute the fish poo around the grow bed, thus avoiding a consentrated(SP) area. Some dump it in one shot some use the grids, your choice. See what works for you. Good luck ap-ing.

Thanks GotFish.
By that snipit I think I'll go with the grid.

LOL I hope I didn't discourage you, in truth I'm not so sure it matters grid or no grid. The grid for me cuts down on the pressure of the flooding which in turn keeps the gravel from getting pushed about. Not sure if anyone has done a side by side comparison so I still think its a personal choice. Welcome and good luck.

The equal distribution of the fish poo talked me into it. It makes sense.

Thanks again GotFish

Hi Lou,

Yep, you pretty much have it... some way of spreading the poo around is a good idea, this can also depend on how many fish you have, and how big your system is..

My original grid work on my large system is about 30cm apart over the whole bed, I could possibly have a little less than that but it works, and I have pretty high stocking densities in that system, so I'm not going to mess with it... My new little system only has half a dozen fish in it at the moment, and I've got very little in the way of a distribution grid, because there are very few solids.

I have lots of fish, lots of poo and got sick of my 6mm holes blocking in my grids. So ditched them in favour of one outlet, decent pump flow seems to spred the solids and they don't seem to be a problem.

Cool.... Will be interesting to see how it goes long term Stu... I guess your worms know where to go for a feed...

Yup. Don't forget the composting worms. I am using just a single drilled distribution bar so the worms can line up to get their poo-dinner. As the holes clog a bit, overflow just goes out the uncapped end of the pipe.

Holes plugging is a problem. The "biofilm" managed to plug all but 3 of my 35 holes -- creating water jets that distributed wet fish poo all over my walls and carpet.

that's the same method I am using....one length of 40mm pipe with holes along it and an elbow at the end, any holes block up just means more outflow at the end - check and clear about once a month if necessary

i went for the single piple method, i think its about a year old or so, and i have notice a slight build up of solids in the one section i put the outlet in, though it might be bacuse the grow bed had changed from level. I have begun to move the pipe position around the bed every couple of months now. I'd say that SOME form of distribution is PROBABLY better than none

Steve

how's it going Lou?

What part of Cairns are you from? I lived up there for many years, still have many fond memories Where abouts are you?

I'm living in White rock Just over the road from forest gardens