Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm new in aquaponics. I have recently acquired three 270 gallon totes. What is the best configuration for growing fish?
Do I want something with 2-3 chopped fish tanks and three grow beds or one full 270 gallon fish tank with three grow beds and a sump? Is it optimal to have a solid filter and a biofilter?

This is the one I would pick: one full 270 gallon fish tank with three grow beds and a sump

I'm a big fan of solids separation but kind of depends on who you ask, it's becoming more and more the norm I think though. If you are doing the 3 beds as media beds you shouldn't need a separate biofilter.

I agree with Lowcarb.

I also like solid separation. I don't clean the solids out though unless I am getting higher ammonia than normal.

I would pickup a 50 gallon blue barrel to make filter out of.

Position every thing so gravity does most of the work and you only need one pump. Like burry the fish tank enough so the grow beds can drain into it at easily workable level. I would have a SLO that goes to the Sump and the pump in the sump. Design the the plumbing with ease of maintenance and expansion.

You will have the beginnings of a great stable system that can be easily expanded and can handle a good bit of fish.

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I've been an aquaponics lurker for a few years now. I've always done square foot gardening and containers. I just got a place big enough to grow this winter. Over abundance of crops will never be an issue as we bulk make freeze dried bird chop and currently but cases of veggies.

I just aquired 3x 275 gallon ibc totes. I also picked up 2x 80 gallon ceramic tanks for sumps. I'm currently building a bunch of 3' x 4' raised planters that I was going to move my bucket and starter plants into.

My plan is currently this: (someone please correct me if I'm off base)
Cut all three tanks for fish and GB. Add 2 planters lined with pond liners (eventually 3) to each tank. Use the 2x 80 gallon sumps for flood and drain on the beds. Do I need to bury sumps? Or just tuck them under an added GB?
Will pond liners work? Or will I need to find containers for my additional beds?
Growing tilapia as my fish. Here in Phoenix they should do well.
I'm thinking of adding some PVC tubes to run water through for all the lettuces... Just to save precious GB space for rooted plants. Good idea?

I believe this gets me close to a 1 to 1 on my GB to fish tanks... Starting out with 12 in a tank a good number? Hoping to have 20 per tank eventually..

Thanks for any advice.


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