Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have read alot and alot on these boards the last few days. 1st of all let me say you guys and gals are simply amazing. I am totally impressed with your systems and knowledge.

My question is inregards to flood and drain vs continues flow. I am wanting to set up a super small system just to tinker with. ( i am currently in chicago but will be transfering back to Oregon soon. Bigger system there). I would like to make a continues flow system with a 10 gal tank and a window box planter as my GB. ( the planter is about 4'x10"x10". filled with pea gravel)

Of course the GB would be over the tank and I would like it to just run a loop.

It appears that from the reading that the flood and drain system is in the long run better but will this little one work ?

Thank you in advance for all your help.
Shawn

OOramper, my experience is a bit limited too, but I think your idea would be doable. My question is are planning on using a pump on a timer to raise the water up in to the GB, or are you going to do it manually (turn it off and on a few times a day)? Also another question I have is will you have enough drain holes in the bottom of the window boxes for the water to run back into your fish tank? (I know you could go with one or two larger diameter plumbing fittings and hoses/pipe, but the problem becomes your system will drain too quickly back into the tank. From what I am understanding, the goal is to keep the roots of your plants wet, well maybe damp would be a better term, and encourage beneficial bacterial growth within the gravel or other growing media.)

Hopefully, someone with more knowledge on this subject than I can comment on my questions and give you a better answer.

Kevin

Honestly I have not gone out and looked at any of the materal just yet.
What I was hoping to do was pump the water to the top of the GB and let it trickle down through. Then have a drain outlet at the bottom at either end that runs back to the tank.

I am still reading and starting to think that it just might not be the way to go.

But thank you for your reply..

Shawn

Hi and welcome!

I think it would probably work just fine, for growing small herbs for instance. The plants will grow in a continuous flow system, but I've read that they might wither quickly after harvesting.

What sort of fish will you put in the 10gal tank; goldfish?

I was going to go with gold fish. cheap and hardy.

I guess i am wanting to go with a continues flow system because i dont think I totaly understand flood and drain system and the auto syphons. I will do some moe reading on here and see if I can get a handle on it.

Thank you
shawn

An autosyphon would be too much work for such a small system, I think. And it'd take up too much space.

If I were you, I'd just drill small holes in the bottom of the little growbed, just enough so that the maximum water out is a bit more than what the pump can supply, and direct the water flow so it flows through the roots.

Welcome OO!

The problem with continuous flow is that the bed can develop dry areas. Flood and drain will alleviate that. However, if you have a generous distribution grid, you will do better.

My first prototype was continuous flow as you describe. Check the first part of "Janet's Jungle" in the Members' Systems Area.

Here you go...
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... sc&start=0

btw, a looped autosiphon is not that hard, but it does add a level of complexity. You can always convert to an autosiphon later if you just do a drain in the growbed instead of drilling the whole bottom.

I gree with Janet, a loop autosyphon is quite easy, but you stull have to match flow rates and stuff.

if you want a simple "prove that it works" set up then yes, set one up as you have stated, with attention to some key points.

1) make sure it is completely draining, ie completely free flow

2) use a porus gravel like the expanded clay balls as even coverage with the water will be a problem and they will absorb water well.

3) Welcome to the forum

Steve

Thank you all for your responces. I Think that I will try this then move up to a more complicated system.

I will post some pics as I get this going. I am totally excited about being on the forums, you guys are amazing.

I look forward to showing you all my mini system.

shawn

welcome shawn

Welcome to the adness Shawn.
I set up a small system like your describing using a 10 gal aquarium, a desk top fountain pump, a pet watering tray for the grow bed (roughly 3-4 inches deep).
I used a loop syphon to drain the grow bed. It worked well enough but now all but the grow bed are out of service and just taking up space.
The waste build up in the bottom of the tank will be a down side to the design. Will this cause a problem? Only in it being less attractive.
So in short the pump trickle flowed to the grow bed and when the syphon start level was met the grow bed drained back into the tank. Used pea gravel as the medium and as long as you keep the lines cleared of biofilm and insure the plants get plenty of light its a go.
As a hind sight for me it was fun to tinker with, understand syphons better etc, but due to its size and attention required is shelved.

I have a small system that is done with window boxes on top of a fish tank. I tried autosiphon, but they would stop working when the fish tank water was too high (back pressure) or too low (would not initiate. I switched to Timer and slow drain with overflow, and that seems to work fairly well, except some root rot issues. Timer is consistent regardless of fish tank water height.

yep timer should work well, drill a few 6mm hole in the bottom and have an over flow out the side.

run the pump say 15min on 15min off

I have a continuous flow system in my classroom which runs 24/7... but have been thinking of putting it on a 15min on, 15 min off timer... it only has 5 goldies and 5 or so platties in it (the tank that is) ... it is currently stocked with a lot of lettuce (which the goldies get to eat as now and again it flops over and the goldies nibble on the leaves that are in the water)