Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,
I am a complete newbie to Aquaponics. We have 4 IBC's cut down with the 4 grow beds on top of them. They are joined together and pump from one end but each bed flows back into the tank below it. Filled it up and works fine.

Now our problem. We have 40 acres and decided to use our river stone from our property. It is small, (between 5mm and 20mm) just like the stuff you buy at the landscaping yard. We filled one grow bed last night. Overnight it has buckled 2 of the 4 feet in the cage base so I am guessing too heavy.

What else can we use? I have looked at clay balls but will cost a lot to fill 4 beds. Can you use perlite or anything else that is lighter?

Thanks in advance

Hi Cookie, welcome to the forum!

I think scoria is lighter than river rock, but probably not by enough if things are buckling - my suggestion would be to build well-reinforced supports for your grow beds and go ahead with the rock you've got. Can you post some pictures of how you have things set up?

If you handle too much scoria, your hands will be pretty roughed up and difficult for the palm reader, so maybe best to use a clairvoyant or psychic?

Hmm, . Nice try Gordon

Take a photo Cookie, let us see what happened maybe you can make the feet stronger.

Pete.

Hi Cookie,

what sort of fish are you planning to have and how many.

one option may be to use the river rock in a large drum as a bio-filter and rely more on DWC if you dont want to have media.

it is discussed a bit in the FAO small-system aquaponics.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4021e/index.html (view in web or download PDF - large doc)

people around here have used blue metal no problem (eg. see colums system)
but weight is an issue and bed stands need to be designed to support it.

Take a photo Cookie, let us see what happened maybe you can make the feet stronger.
Definitely the best way for us to help you out... post some pictures of what you are trying to do.
instructions are here...viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21754