Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello guys,
I have been mad keen on starting an AP setup since reading an article on AP in "Grass Roots" magazine (Oct/Nov).
After much reading on this forum (although it is very extensive and I think im still scratching the surface) i have decided to have a crack at it.
I have access to 1x1000L white plastic storage tank, and a couple of blue plastic 200L drums. I plan to use the 1000L to house Tilapia, and the 200L to house blue marron in "levels" (no not the "Matrix" like bottle system - but maybe build say five layers separated by s/s mesh floors or similar which can be lifted out for inspection/cleaning/feeding) and the spare 200L as the sump.

What i was wondering is some clarification on some of the figures floating around in the forum...

-What would be the ideal grow bed area based on above 1200L setup and a GB depth of 300mm (12in)? (ie is ratio 2:1 or 1:1 - not sure?)
-What are the ideal nutrient/ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels?
-How many flood/drain cycles do you need in a day?
-What size pump/bubbler would be ideal for the 1000L & the 200L tanks to maintain ideal DO levels?

Sorry for so many questions, but id like to try to get it running well right off the bat.

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Leon.

Welcome to the forum!



GB ratio of 2 to 1 (2units gb to 1unit fish tank) seems to be standard, but some do use 1:1 The depth is suggested to be 12 inches. I was told this provided the most ideal environment for the bacteria to do their job. I have seen success with more and less than 12 inches.

you want 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite. These will stress the fish. The higher the nitrate level the better for the plants, but only up to the point that the fish are stressed.

The more you can cycle you growbed the better. It gives the bacteria more to convert ammonia. Keeps the water cleaner for the fish too.

I would think most any pump would be up to the task, even the little pond pumps. Just decide how many time you want to exchange the volume of water in a day.

Also, don't forget the allmighty search function for this forum.

Best of luck! What ever you build post pics!

ive always thought that the depth of the Growbed was to provide stability for the plant roots

some people have NFT systems with just a 20L bucket of gravel as their Biofilter (bactieria house ) and this works fine


Cheers
and welcome to the forum

bacteria will live anywhere, if you are farming your fish intensively enough to require them to live in the gravel (cos you need lots) then the gravel should be approx 300mm or 12 Inches, this is to keep the gravel moist enough to support bacterial life.
Smaller amounts of bacteria will live on tank walls, pipes, pumps, duckweed roots, NFT roots, raft bottoms etc. Only the population is limited by the surface area, hence the use of gravel and the desire to keep them alive in it.
Hope that made sense, and that Rupert can't find anything wrong. I think I got it all right. :-)

big thumbs up from me KP, you didnt try n crack a joke

bk are you saying you don't like my humour? I'm so terribly hurt

too dry?

lol.......no not too dry....although i just read ya jok in lost fans .....thumbs down bud rofl

Yep - that was a pretty lame one. Didn't think it even warranted a retort

sorry for the hijack leon....looking forward to pics

Yes the fan joke came from not being able to control myself either BK...

Now we've gone and hijacked Hodge's thread... perhaps we should give it back? :-) Sorry Hodge.

noooooo.....it wasnt lack of control dude.......is just your lack of humour rofl

ps....leon dont be sorry for asking too many questions..you might end up asking one we're too afraid to ask