Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks Will. The propane heater was awesome - very effective. I will probably do it again someday.

Great pics, what model DJI do you have? Is your dog used to it yet? Our dog ignores my M2P these days, which is a relief.

Thanks! Who said it is a DJI? Of course it is, though, they are the best. I got the Mavic Air 2 and it is awesome; very easy to fly and great photos and video. It's the only one I ever had though. My dog doesn't care but he's 14 years old.

The file name did

The sand beds are coming along nice & that top view is a good idea!.

Phase 2. Here are some details of the drainage on my 2nd sand bed. I slightly modified a 1/2" pvc T to fit a 3/4 uniseal. I was worried about just leaving a hole that might clog with gravel. I wanted something more spread out. I also kept my option open to use the 2" IBC drain in case the center drain clogs or has other issues. I'm really skeptical about not having access to the drains like an AP setup with bell siphons, media guards, etc. But in for a penny, in for a pound as they say.

The IBC support allows the center area to sag under the weight, so liquid will drain to the center.



A 2" net pot makes a perfect media guard for the 2" IBC drain opening!








Ready for wet-down, make furrows and add water inlet.

Feedback on other groups is that my drain design is bad. Mostly because of the fabric. Anyhow, "We're having fish tonight!" Fish tacos for 8, coming up...

I keep posting this in various places, but then I can never find it again. So I'm adding this to my thread as I see lots of posts about IBCs and SLO issues.

Here is a set up that has worked perfectly for me for over 5 years now.

Slotted and capped pipe along one long side at the bottom of the IBC. This one is a bit short, it's best to go corner to corner if you can.




Water enters along the opposite top corner. I use holes to make a water curtain, but I leave the end open because the holes will clog. I use an elbow or two to create some back pressure. But be sure the holes and the elbow discharge downward toward the IBC wall to create a downward current on this side of the IBC.


Finally, if you have air stones in your IBC, be sure they are on the same side as the SLO to promote an upward current. This set up creates a downward current along one long side of the IBC that sweeps across the bottom to the SLO. The air stones strengthen the upward current on the SLO side, then the water returns across the surface maintaining a "circular" current inside the rectangular IBC. The bottom is nearly always spotless.

I also wrap or paint the outside of my IBCs and keep them covered to minimize or eliminate algae growth on the inside.

Here is a photo of the operational system in place. The air and water are turned off so you can see the bottom. The SLO pipe is a bit out of position, but you get the idea. The tank bottom is very clean considering the ~50 fish that live there.

Looks great, I'm very interested in how the sand beds work, I was thinking of using the sand filtration system from a pool so all the sand had contact with the water for bacteria to thrive but looks like you did one better. Thanks for posting on my thread, I have alot of pictures of our progress and if nothing changes I should begin my new 16x35 greenhouse in october.
Rock on.

sorry I posted twice, couldn't find a delete.

Do you think that Golf course sand would be suitable for sand beds? My local landscape supplier sells it by the yard. It is silica sand. I know a certain size of sand is recommended.

I know i am getting ahead of myself...... I have two in progress systems right now. I've thought about going sand for one, though I have a lot of scoria and clay pellets stocked up already..... This last year took a lot out of me, and I didn't get as much done as I had hoped.

(One is the addition of the big fiberglass tanks with the wood cladding, to my current set up, the other is a poly hottub, with a nice thick layer of sparyed on insulation....which I would like to grow tilapia in )

I've tested several different grades of silica sand and they all seem suitable. So the golf course sand will probably be fine, but you'll want to test a sample before you invest.

I rolled the dice on pool filter sand based on someone else's success with it, and it is working well. I also tested #12, #16 and #20 silica sand and all seemed acceptable.

My perception is this. Fine particles are undesirable as they impede the flow of water, and reduce aeration between flood cycles. They will also clog more easily as roots and detritus build up in the sand.

Coarse particles allow better water flow and reduce the risk of clogging from roots and detritus, but reduce moisture wicking making it harder to start seeds and seedlings - it potentially dries out to quickly or never gets wet in the right areas as the water flows straight through.

So a blend of these attributes seems best. The graded silica sand seems to have more fines than the pool filter sand, so even though the #20 is most similar to pool sand in composition, I put more faith in the #16 sand as it seems to have a bit coarser makeup but also enough smaller particles for good wicking and retention.

I hope this helps. There is some good information on FB in a group called IAVS. It has good files and topics sections. I learned a bit there.

Cool!

Thank for the info.

The idea has always seemed to make sense to me, but the info is not so out there in your face like standard AP.

I have yet to join facebook.....So you are now my official Info source!

HAHA.

Looking forward to see how it goes for you!

So far it's looking great!

So it's been a while since I did an update. I've had a lot of baby tilapia this year. I'm sure I've sold over 1000.


My catfish are doing well, but I have too many so I need to get rid of some. I had about 230 in my pond and the max stocking is about 160 at 1lb each. I'll give some to my brother and sell the rest. They are about 8-10" long now.


Lot's of good fruits and veggies, right now we are still eating corn and I'm waiting for the cantaloupe and watermelon to ripen. Hopefully I get to eat them before the rats get them. I've taken countermeasures.

I also have bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, pumpkin, onions, and beans.





The tilapia are delicious too.