Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Good to see you having so much fun Tony. Looking forward to seeing it on the 28th.
Faye

I need to keep the system running during the upgrade from 1 1/2 200 litre poly drums with 5 comets and one 400L GB, to a 5KL fish tank and 1 KL sump, so I am staging the upgrade.
Stage 1 is now complete:

1. Locate the 1KL sump tank under GB#2 (300L),
2. Remove the 1.5 200L drums and relocate submersible pump to the 1KL sump (Final location)
3. Install GB feed pipe to location of pump from 5KL tank, install GB feed take-offs and valves for 4 GBs and add feed in point for submersible pump to temporarily supply GBs.
4. Install stormwater pipe as GB drain to sump.
5. Install GB feed pipes and valves.
6. Re-route GB drain lines, via stormwater pipes, to sump.
7. Test system to ensure correct operation of Stage 1 of conversion.

Well, I have completed Stage 1 and the plumbing is all working well.

Here are some pix of the current layout:
Note the loop syphon drum on the top of the wall next to GB2. It does work but needs a fair bit of head in the drum, to get the syphon started. I am unsure what to plant here. Any suggestions, considering that in summer we get 40-60 km/h winds here.

Here are a couple more photos and the Nutrient test results for today.
pH = 7.4 (could be lower - lowest reading on the High pH test. Water added today.
NH3 = 0.25
NO2 = 0.25
NO3 = 5.0
Temp = 20.4°C
I will measure the water temperature tomorrow morning to see how close we are to adding tilapia.
Pix:

looking good Tony! better great actually!!
Jusst question-the retaining wall is that after the GB and the house facing SE?
If so would be thinking of some shade cloth to buffer the wind expected.
Then I would say tommies a few varieties at the back to help protect the mirriad of other plantings.

What are you using to drain your barrels Tony..... standpipe siphon... straight out the bottom???

What size piping/fittings did you use?

Rupe,
In my first GB, the 400L one, I used 25mm PVC pipe as overflow/drain in the GB, with a 25mm PVC- 3/4" BSP adaptor thru the drum, and put a 19mm riser to poly pipe barb, on the other side, Some thread seal paste, a good tighten and I got a good seal. The ones away from the wall had the riser elbow and the ones closer to the wall, had riser Tees. The 19mm poly passes to the 90mm storm-water pipe where a 19mm poly elbow drains into the 90mm.
In the 300L one, I used 19mm PVC overflow/drain and a 19mm PVC - 1/2" BSP with a 1/2" threaded bush on the bottom, again, the thread seal paste helped stop drips.

The overflow/drain standpipes have a single 3mm hole at the bottom and are cut to height to provide correct GB fill level.
I plan to make more GBs and will try out other standpipe ideas on those.

Here are today's Nutrient readings, pH and temperatures:

ph = 8.0
NH3 = 0.25
NO2 = 0.5
NO3 = 5.0
Temp = 18.3°C at 4:00pm
Photo:

Thanks Tony.... couldn't see/trace the outlet tubing.... figured it went back to the 90mm pipe somehow.

Here are the test results from today's readings:
pH = 8.0
NH3 = 0.5
NO2 = 0.5
NO3 = 5.0 - 10.0
Temp = 16.7°C
Here are some more photos showing growth in the GBs as well.

Another day....
Nutrient Test results:
pH = 8.0 (one lemon added to 1KL - no change OK.)
NH3 = 0.25
NO2 = 0.25
NO3 = 10
Temp = 16.2°C

From the increase in NO3, it would seem that the nitrifying bacteria are working in my GB.

• Should it be working faster?
• What happens if the HN3 or NO2 levels drop to 0?
• Will the bacteria die off?

I have the breeding aquarium set up inside the house and will be setting up pumps, filters and a herb garden GB for Tayo (my darling wife who puts up with this and other eccentric behaviours), as time permits.

J7au has offered some tilapia breeding stock which I hope to collect on Saturday.

Most systems are GO for AP progress, for the AP gathering here on 28/10.

I may even have time to construct another 2 GBs (300 litre variety like GB2) by then.

Tony,
you want both the NH3 and NO2 levels to drop to zero - this indicates your system has fully cycled

OK,
So I am still working on getting my nitrifying bacteria up to speed then.

Here are today's readings:
pH = 8.0
NH3 = 0.25
No2 = 1.0 a bit of a spike?
NO3 = 10 same as yesterday.
Temp = 18.4°C

The nitrite spike could be a good indication Tony....

If everythings going to plan then both your ammonia and nitrite readings should become zero in the next few days.....

Look for the plants to get a real growth spurt...

So, everyone's waiting to see what has happened overnight?
pH = 8.2
NH3 = 0.25
NO2 = 1.0
NO3 = 5.0
Temp = 21.1°C
Not much of a change, pH is a bit higher, NO3 is down a bit
Photo:

I have figured out how to tabulate the results I get daily, so rather than making a new post each day, and having to go back a long way for the past results, I am planning to tabulate them in this post.

I just need to figure out how to continue the list after I get comments on system performance - perhaps I should just quote the earlier list, or copy and add to my later post. Hmmmm??

Nutrient results:
Date - - pH - - NH3 - - NO2 - - NO3 - - °C
14/10 - 8.2 - - 0.25 - - 0.25 - - 5 - - - 22.5 Added a lemon (juiced plus skins)
15/10 - 7.4 - - 0.25 - - 1.0 - - 10 - - - 21.4 Stopped feed & P, until NO2 drops
16/10 - 8.0 - <0.25 - - 1.0 - - 10 - - - 21.6
17/10 - 8.0 - - - 0 - - - 1.0 - - 10 - - - 16.8