Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all
So slowly accumulating various freebie/cheap bits and bobs and fair amount of reading online, mostly built the grow beds so few questions about the plumbing for planned system?

Firstly wondering if any Perth /WA'ers have recommendations on where to get 90mm & 40mm pipe & connectors at the best prices currently?

Regards pumps seem to have read good things about the Laguna MaxPro pumps? Thinking the 5000 should cover my needs with surplus based on the following set up?

2 x IBC fish tanks, 1 x 220L barrel minerisation tank, 1 x 220L barrel swirl filter, 6 x half IBC sumps. The grow beds are 2.3m x 1.4m x 0.3 (roughly 2m3) each, 4 of these of which 2 standard grow beds, 1 wicking bed and 1 x DWC. Max 1.5m head height. The set up should be about 8m long (about 4m across). Does the pump choice seem ok? Wondering what the flow requirements are for DWC? Constant? 15 min on in the hour?

...
NO IDEA about WA/Perth.. but.. I have access to trade suppliers and naturally trade prices, but they are always thrashed by Bunnings..
..

Hi Sindirt,

Bunnings is a 50-50 and I find in WA it can be bit dearer particularly when you get to comparing against bulk prices.
But they win because most irrigation shops like Total Eden, Watershed etc are more expensive.

SOR - I use Terweys in Cannington and they tend to be cheaper for many things particularly 20/25mm else similar price.
they also carry a few more Hansen type products than Bunnings tends to carry.

NOR - there is a mob in Osborne Park or Malaga that run an online and walk-in wharehouse.
cannot recall name but they offered discounted bulk pricing when I last did a search
(Perth Irrigation or something ?).

there are a few online (including Creative Pumps in SA) that are OK if you are buying a bit and can make postage work.
I have done OK with ball values and bulkheads online and via eBay on occasions when looking at 10+.

But with everything it is a case of getting a feel for pricing and do things like buy pipe in 6m lengths (cut down in car park if need to) and buy bulk packs (often 5-10) or 10+. No doubt with Bunnings you get convenience but not necessarily cheapest prices but they are THE price reference point.

bummings are rip off merchants - low prices are certainly not the beginning! I hold them to task on their price match -sometimes they are 5 times more expensive on fittings compared to this mob (that I buy large lots from)

http://www.perthirrigation.com.au/

Just got a heap of stuff from their shop at Dampier Rd Welshpool
http://www.perthirrigation.com.au and http://www.pipecowa.com/ - same place.
can walk in and shop or order online [ pickup no fee or have posted/delivered ]

re: MattYoga above.......

needed 20 90mm Stormwater PVC cap (how expensive can a Bummings 90mm cap be you ask.....)


pipeco / perthirrigation

And cheidys aquaponics at least mat hes or beats bunnings prices. Plus you get to talk to Sue and Maus.

+1 EB,

the drain to waste setup that Cheidy's carry for $8 is much better suited to AP than some of the other types in other stores. Also much better place to look first for AP pond pumps.