Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Here is the first post on my new backyard aquaponics.

Here is the before and after filtration system as a result of Steve's advice. The new method has dramatically improved the clarity of the water in my main tank.

I have some new pictures of my aquaponics progress in my gallery. When I am done I plan to have a meal in progress, and a backyard filled with plants and water gardens. Each pond site will be grow out spots for little fingerlings.

Very nice joyce, i love seeing pictures.

can you detail the changes you made from the before and after shots?

Steve

I am a little concerned about your fish tank Joyce. It looks to be supported on only two points along it's bottom surface?

I don't know enough about glass but do know my Aquarium friends FREAK at me when I try designing anything without a solid base for glass tanks.

Sorry if I gave you something to worry about when you've done so well. The less disasters the better...

Double post from using a horrible old dial up...

Thanks AA The large glass tank is only temporary while we are making a stand, so far so good. The new stand should be ready this week. The 150 gal (567.795 liter) tank will go against the shed on the right along with a 55 gal (208.1915 liter) tank. These tanks will become the breeding tanks.

The main tank is a 500 gal (1892.65l) stock watering tank. The long black grow bed is a stock feed trough.

Changes before and after. The only difference from the first filter and the second is the plumbing and I added some BioMax Media and liquid enzymes to help with bacteria growth The first one had 2 small pumps pulling water into it, the one had a garden hose with a spray attached. Now there is a 1900 gph (7192.07l) pump and the plumbing that continues around the hot house to support the grow beds. The pipes T off to go into the hot house where seeds will be started. Thanks for the idea for the filter Steve. The water is now crystal clear and tests out great.

The pictures in the gallery show the progress being made. I will be adding new pictures as the work continues and will keep you posted as to what is going into it.

Go Joyce!!

Thats fantastic Joyce, I like your new long growbed in your gallery, is that a feed trough..?

lOOKING REAL GOOD THERE jOYCE...
You sure have been a bussy bee!!! Keep it up as it looks great!

EB Yes, it is a feed trough. I will be adding 2 2'X3' and 1 2'x4' boxes to the left side of the grow area, these are mortor boxes purchased at a hardware store for $10.00 each. The mortor box idea came from a hydroponics site.

always happy to help

Joyce i'm kicking myself for not picking up the fishtank in the picture as AA did. I agree with him, i know its only temporary, but in future i wouldn't even have this arrangement short term.

Put it this way, if the tank is 200lt, look at the spacing between the two base supports, if you cant imagine two people holding a pane of glass that length with 200KG (approx 400pound?) sitting on the glass then............well you get what i mean!

very nice system.

Steve, I sure do know what you mean. This tank came with all the fish from our friend that donated everything to the ministry. I was not prepared for it and the helpers I had that moved it into place put it there before I had any other ideas. I am watching the growth of the fish in the tank. They are almost ready to put in with the bigger guys. As soon as this happens I will drain the tank and get it more secure. Your not kidding about the weight of it all. Even empty it took two strong men from our ministry to get it there. Thanks to every one for your advice. It is very much apprecitated. (Remember the guy that helped me with the electric? He's the one that came up with the idea as to what to do with this tank. Scarry, isn't it.)

LOL, and you trusted him after that

help is help......can't be picky sometimes, and his hearts probably in the right place

as for the brain... I'd say it was relocated