Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

That's one of them....All true Apers continue to have them

They are only official on your AP sheet after they have been reported on the forum

much worse one is reading forum + filling tank with hose + 187 posts to read = HSM :Shock:

Finished preparing grow bed area.

Brick paths, with gravel under beds and sump up the back. Loose bricks are temporary to cover GB footings

Planned enough room to fit 6 x 280L grow beds.

Had enough of cleaning second hand "free" bricks.

Next step, GB stands. Probably 50 x 50mm Galv RHS

Neat and tidy Scott, first quick look and I thought you had buried the GBs

My proposed system is a little while off yet.
Still need to build grow bed stands, buy/clean gravel, pumps, plumbing etc.

However, in the meantime. I thought I would give it head start, until I finally get things in place.
The plan is to "pre-cycle" some of the grow bed media.

I'll fill a 450L tank with scoria & water and start establishing bacteria in it. This will later be used in the grow beds.

Bacteria culture
Seed setup with water/sludge from aquarium and pond.

Bacteria food
Over the next few weeks, continue to add water from pond and maybe a little "P"

Oxygen
Run pump intermittently to aerate water. Not sure how often at this stage. My little old pump has spent the past few years out in the weather. (I cleaned up the rusted rotor and replaced the bearings, but it still needs a "helping hand" to get started- will try changing the capacitor)

Any idea's how often I would need to aerate the water?
i.e assuming, running the pump for say 10 minutes significantly increases dissolved oxygen. How long would it take dissipate in still water, minutes? hours? days?

Any other thoughts on "Pre-cycling"?

Ditto - and i was thinking "oh man that is NICCCE".

I feel like I should plant something in there ....
No, patience Scott, the real grow beds will be along soon enough!

I have based my system around four of these green 500L tanks. The guy I bought them from said they are made from food grade Polypropylene.

However, I see in the current Stratco catalog that identical tanks have a note stating "Not suitable for drinking water"


Other info
There is no indication on the tanks saying it is made from re-cycled material.
Made in Italy by Ferrarcasa ( Could not access their web site)
Recycle symbol with 05 PP (I assume this is stating that it can be recycled, not that it is recycled)
Smells just like my Polypropylene rain water tank!

I'm hoping that stratco are just cautious and they are OK to use.

Any thought's???

Wow that base looks neat, can just imagine the plants over flowing the grow beds down to the bricks, keep it up, Also I think the tanks would be fine, just good wash out, i'd recon

I would use them.

if they aren't made of recycled material they will be fine i reckon.
"food grade" is quite often nothing more then a extra clean and an extra mark up.

You're not the only one! I thought it enough to show my mate who thought it look cool too. A pity the only space I have is concrete can't do any burying there...

Hi Scottt,

Nice site/plan/photos/name. Your piccies are good - is that your fault, or the cameras?

Scottie.

Scottie,
It's just point and shoot, nothing fancy here !

Nice aim! Perhaps Adelaide is more aesthetically pleasing than I remember!?