Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, starting a new thread for my system now in the design R&D stage. Pics attached of site, greenhouse with small shed attached inc. power, and small courtyard next to our bedroom where my wife wants a pond with redclaw and waterlillies/duckweed. I am thinking of removing most of the laths from the roof of the greenhouse and sheeting with clear greenhouse poly for more light and warmth in Toowoomba winters. 3-4 growbeds totalling 1500-2000 l with 1500L fishtank. If the bugs have been ironed out of autosiphons, then f&d system with a header tank above ft. The pics should make all clear...note mating ducting on floor of shed, they are in plague proportions up here after the rain!

so you'll running your pumps on bicycle power then?

Aint that the reason for the existence of children? Worst thing that ever happened was the abolition of child labour

It fits in tho with the permaculture principles...pumps input energy moving h2o which distributes fish poo to plants which grow which feed small children which pedal generators which power pumps...hmmm, am I missing something here???


For the record, all the above is said with tongue firmly in cheek

Don't forget the 15% line-loss factor- the only thing that stops the perpetual motion machine from becoming reality now that we have friction-free bearings.

With Toowoomba's water supply below 13%, I don't see washing grow bed media as an option in the setup of my system. How much of a problem will this be?

not much of a problem, (except for Les )

If your gravel is relatively clean (it's certainly not going to be muddy) the silts and fines will settle out of the water in a week or two. If the water is very cloudy and you are concerned about it, add an old sock or towel to the end of the pipe coming back into the tank. This will catch lots of stuff.

an alternative is to use a filter of sorts (as Jaymie said), I have an old milk crate, which I drape a towel over and pump the water onto and through that...this removes unwanted gunk quite effectively also

Thanks guys. I was thinking along the lines of a temporary filter and settling tank that could be run for several days and then disconnected. Things are desperate here for the town water supply. We are supposed to have 2 minute showers now and even if a friend is with you, not much can be done in that time.I still don't relish the idea of drinking my own urine in the town water supply!

LoL SNAG If it is your urine not so bad but no telling who's it is

AP

I didn't know that you liked my vintage AP...will send you a bottle or two!

The only vintage I drink is Shiraz, Keepyours to yourself LOL

AP

Give it a waterless clean SNAG by sifting it well to remove the smaller stone chips and some of the dirt.

the new system we are building will have 8000 litres of gravel, not one bit of it will be washed. Les? Take your best shot

Hey keep the urine for the fishtank, no point wasting the water or ammonia.

not even with urine (AP treated of course)
how about a pre-wash (use the newbies used nappies (daipers ))