Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok so here is our first system, we have a litle unnused space that we have utilised.

I hope that everyone wishes to give pointers or tell me what we are doing wrong.

Basically, we are going low cost, and using available space. The area recieves sunlight in the mornings. Also around the corner is a garden, this is where any runoff and solid wastes will be going from the system. Power and water are nearby.


My thoughts for the system are :

2 grow beds on constant flood and constant flow, as it is a small system I cant drain and pump the main tank too much. I will have the tank/sump with silvers pumping to the top tub which will then drain to tub 2 then back to fish tank.

I plan to run constant flood in the grow beds and use a stand pipe to do this. by what i have read I plan to aerate the grow beds as well, and for the drain i will have a larger pipe with holes at the bottom and the internal pipe set at drain height. Incoming water for both beds will be at the opposite ends of the tubs. I plan to use a block of foam at the intake points as filtration.

So my thoughts are, and please correct me:

A constant water capacity of 4-600L (the fish tank is slightly larger capacity's than the grow beds, but 150-200L for fish tank and 100L for each grow bed sound about right?

1.5m head, I need a pump that will flow around 1000LPH, to turn over the water once an hour?

Would filtration before the last grow beds water enters the fish tank again be necessary?

I will also be running aeration in the 3 tubs, I was thinking full length stones/bubblers in each tub should allow enough O2 to stop any rot for being constant flood?

As for fish , I was thinking of starting with 20 silver perch fingerlings, as no doubt there will be losses over time , but is this a good start point?

I have read a number of folk who have lined their tubs, I dont belive there is any damage to the tubs I have but does anyone recommend it, as nearly every set up I have seen so far are not lined, and I have only seen 3 that are ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Cheers

Your tubs will be ok as long as there isent chips ,scratches .and dings

I can't offer any advice on your system as such, but what a very cool (and cost effective!) way to set it up.

What do you plan to plant? How much sun? The wall would do well to retain some heat which should help plant growth I would've thought. But I wonder if it will raise enough to complicate your water temps? I hope not...! . A passionfruit may do well being under the eaves and semi protected but guessing your winters are fairly mild? Emerald Is QLD yeah?

Anyways really cool idea and look forward to following your progress

+1
Clever use of space there Jerry.
Constant flood is definitely the way to go given your ratio of GB to FT volume.
Maybe put a step/ledge at the height of the top of the FT so you can stand on that to do your gardening in the top GB.
Good luck with it mate, T

Thanks guys, Yeah we had thought about making the step as part of the design , but ran out of room because of the gate, so I will make a nice step ladder or trestle type step out of the same timber that I can store or stack in neatly.

I hadn't given much thought to the wall retaining heat as well, but the area should get about 5 hours, give or take of direct sun in the morning and given temps out here, ( yes Emerald in central Qld, and winters are mild) that the heat will knock plants around with too much more sun anyways..I figure buy the gardens that are situated along the other eave around the corner, that it should be plenty.
I was hoping by lining the frame and making the cover for the fish tank out of the same timber also, that it would help with the temps a little.

As far as planting, I think we are going to try herbs and normally used veg.

Herbs and used veg the go I only plant what we like

I love seeing the variety of ways people build their systems and incorporate extra features. Don't be shy with the pics and designs!!

The wall temp....probably neither here nor there I have no idea, I'm a total newb to all this so would be interested to see your water temp results if out of curiosity sake than nothing else.