Ivan's First System

ivansng

Rup, thanks. Made sense.

Did a water test today.
Readings are:
pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0

Did not do the rest once I saw that the ammonia was still 0. I don't expect the bacteria for nitrite to be that efficient in growing to be able to stablise the ammonia back to 0 from just 3 days ago.

So in short, maybe not feeding the goldfishes enough.

newfarmer

ivansng wrote:

Well I got the kit from BYAP, I was not aware that I need to adjust the standpipes. Did I miss a step in the installation guide? All I know is that when I use my hand to dig comfortably into the clay to the depth of all my fingers, I can see water flooding at that level.

Sorry Ivan, I was basically saying if the beds are not overflowing (ie flooding onto the ground), and the water is maintained at the correct level when full and flowing into the top of the standpipe, then all is good, but you could make use of some of the additional flow from the 15min cycle to create the whirlpool.

Nocky

I trimmed 3mm of the top of standpipe and made a lot of difference

newfarmer

ivansng wrote:

If you look at the photo I have attached above, I have added a ball valve (with blue handle) near the tank... I might be able to easily adapt another attachment and put on a retic tube to divert water back into the tank.

Sounds like a plan to me, I would just try to add a venturi to the line to add some air also.

It may be easier to put a T pce in the 40mm pipe coming straight up from the pump though, put would only need to stop the system for a short while. If you are planning on doing that I would do it at least a few days prior to getting the trout, just in case some of the glue gets into the water.

You create the venturi by using some reducing bushes to go from the 40mm down to 25mm, and then back up to 40mm. In the short length of 25mm pipe (~80mm), add as small hole (say 3mm), and as the water flows past the hole in the restriction, it will suck in air, and this air will then be ejected with the water back into the FT. You should be able to see the restriction in the pics I posted previously. Put a 90deg elbow on the bottom of the return to direct the water into the whirlpool (no need to glue the bottom 90deg elbow).

Attachment:

File comment: Venturi

Venturi.jpg [ 21.3 KiB | Viewed 4023 times ]

The reducing bushes fit inside the 40mm fittings (90deg elbows, joiners, etc).

You could build and glue all of the bypass together, and then once you have let the glue set, you could then cut the 40mm pipe coming up from the pump, and fit the bypass, that way limiting the fresh glue contact with the system. Leave the system off for a few hours, then switch back on. I would do all that prior to getting the trout if you plan to go that way, just to be safe. Looking at the job you have done thus far, shouldn't take you long to get sorted, keep up the excellent work, and good luck with the rest... :cheers:

ivansng

newfarmer wrote:

Sounds like a plan to me, I would just try to add a venturi to the line to add some air also.

It may be easier to put a T pce in the 40mm pipe coming straight up from the pump though, put would only need to stop the system for a short while. If you are planning on doing that I would do it at least a few days prior to getting the trout, just in case some of the glue gets into the water.

You create the venturi by using some reducing bushes to go from the 40mm down to 25mm, and then back up to 40mm. In the short length of 25mm pipe (~80mm), add as small hole (say 3mm), and as the water flows past the hole in the restriction, it will suck in air, and this air will then be ejected with the water back into the FT. You should be able to see the restriction in the pics I posted previously. Put a 90deg elbow on the bottom of the return to direct the water into the whirlpool (no need to glue the bottom 90deg elbow).

Attachment:

Venturi.jpg

The reducing bushes fit inside the 40mm fittings (90deg elbows, joiners, etc).

You could build and glue all of the bypass together, and then once you have let the glue set, you could then cut the 40mm pipe coming up from the pump, and fit the bypass, that way limiting the fresh glue contact with the system. Leave the system off for a few hours, then switch back on. I would do all that prior to getting the trout if you plan to go that way, just to be safe. Looking at the job you have done thus far, shouldn't take you long to get sorted, keep up the excellent work, and good luck with the rest... :cheers:

Thanks for the detailed instruction. I will keep it in mind. I just mock something up to try creating the whirlpool effect earlier today. Unfortunately once I open the valve slightly to allow water to flow through, the flow is rather pathetic. Definitely will not create a whirlpool. Even the goldfish swam pass the outlet effortlessly. I will need a pump with more power. Certainly keep this in mind in my upcoming improvements.

Bad eh, not even cycled my system and I am really thinking of improvements.

newfarmer

ivansng wrote:

Bad eh, not even cycled my system and I am really thinking of improvements.

Nah, that just the AP way...

creative1

ivansng

Hi guys,

I bought some galvanised grid mesh in panel form to put over the fish tank which is open to weather.

Can someone advise if the mesh needs to be pre-washed with something before being used?

I also bought some anti-bird netting to cover over the fish tank, with the grid mesh stacked over it.
Any washing requirements?

Thanks.

Nocky

Ivan I just put bird net over my tank with no washing, mine is under cover and I have a peice of fishing line holding up the middle and got some elastic from sewing shop and feed it in and out the bird net and this holds it to side of tank, on my old system (outside) I had Avery mesh with about 3/4" holes with no problems and no washing, but others in here are against Gal but I certainly have no problems with it.

ivansng

Nocky wrote:

Ivan I just put bird net over my tank with no washing, mine is under cover and I have a peice of fishing line holding up the middle and got some elastic from sewing shop and feed it in and out the bird net and this holds it to side of tank, on my old system (outside) I had Avery mesh with about 3/4" holes with no problems and no washing, but others in here are against Gal but I certainly have no problems with it.

Thanks. The elastic is a good idea. I will raid my wife's craft box. I am sure she has some in there.

Hmm. I thought Galv would be alright. Some members' AP system have Galv tank and growbeds right?

ivansng

Damn bloody wind blowing in metro Perth right now.

Blew a seedling tray with some sand into the FT. Now FT has got sand at the bottom and I cannot get it out.

Well I think it is pretty alright to have some sand in the FT right?

RupertofOZ

If it's just sand... wouldn't worry about it...

ivansng

Well there are some leaves and wood chips which I have already got rid of by sweeping the fish net around in there.

What is left I believe is just sand. I am probably just picky.

Nocky

Some people have different views on Gal Ivan, but my first system was a 2000lt gal tank and I had square gal tubing attached to it and with no apparent problems

creative1

If you are concerned Ivan,
a piece of 40/50mm pipe a few mtrs long will help suck out the stuff you don't want. :wink:

Put the palm of your hand over one end, put the other end into the water.

When the end in the water is near to where you want to go, release your hand.
the water will rush in up the pipe.
Put your hand back over the openning and lift the pipe vertically and out of the FT quickly.
You will get it, but it takes a few times. :flower:

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