Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I hear you thinking VB!

AP

Yep - there are pros and cons either way.

Michael and Janet - my view is that in a stepped situation the grow-beds, or their flooding levels, would not have to be stepped, particularly if using a bell siphon. Because the siphon never cuts off when it first sucks some air (in fact mine goes for a couple of minutes after this point) and I am pumping continuously, the amount of water leaving a bed during its siphoning stage is always quite a lot more than what it holds on the flood cycle (do you get what I am saying?). Michael - I agree that a half/half stepping would be the go (ie 4/4, 8/8 or whatever) depending of course on sump size. To build in any more than 2 levels would require the top beds to be higher than I would like them to be. Ideally all beds would be at same level - but this is not always going to be possible because of sump size.

Here are 2 pics of the crusherdust floor after it has been watered in and rolled. Feel very solid

AP

damn...another tool to be added to the AP kit...you're making vb jealous, can feel his vibes from here

really like the effort you're putting in to it....can't wait for the "gravel washing" stage

Ah EKB you are assuming I am going to wash the gravel?????

AP

Surely you can't go to all this effort and then not wash the gravel AP..?

I'll be very interested to see how your flooring goes over time, certainly looks good...

You are not gonna wash gravel!!!

EB not to take away from the gravel washing post, but it will depend on the type of gravel, The size the dirtiness, the fractured particles. Am still looking into which gravel. Thinking 7-10ml blue metal at the moment. The floor will be fine. Plan to but some heavey duty (6ml) fibrocement sheeting down under the feet of the fish tanks to spread the load. EB isn't it time for the Bill??? lol

Ap

Calm down EKB "To wash or not to wash that is the question"

AP

Man, I'd hate to see the bills your paying ATM AP....

EB bills are with in the budjet. This is a longterm project. Once up and running it will last me out.

AP

That's the beauty of AP, once it is set up if you do it right, it's just fgingerlings and seeds. Home and hosed.

thank goodness

Here is a couple of pictures with the fish tanks in the greenhouse. I need these inside the greenhouse before I could assemble it. Still playing with the positions of the fish tanks and the growbeds.