netab32's system... 18,000L and counting

Erich

netab32 wrote:

Thanks for that Erich,

once its spelled out it seems like common sense but at the moment we have so much info swirling around at once that we had just had a brain fart on that one! :oops:

Probably getting ahead of myself a bit too cause our next part of the project was cutting down an IBC and drum and grabbing some different types of gravel to test. Should be cutting this weekend hopefully

Kewl

A jig saw cuts them nicely - for sure.

I have so much in my head also, have something figured, get excited then I see another post from someone doing it a bit different (neater/better etc) then I get confused and look at modifying it again!

netab32

Erich wrote:

gnash06 wrote:

:D Cut your barrel, fill with preferred media, fill with water then measure the water and times by beds

As far as media is concerned I would go with the lightest (as in weight ) and cheapest, but that's coz I'm a tight ass :shifty:

agree 110%

Im gonna go scoria. Light and PH friendly

Looked at the scoria they had and its REALLY dirty compared to the quartz rock. ie: scrape off the top layer and it was count the rocks in the dirt and grit!

Do you think quartz might have a PH problem? have read that you can check with vinegar to see if it bubbles but also read that its to check limestone content (Thoughts?) and this looks really clean like rough crystals - nice to look at actually! (not that that really matters) but the cleaning headache saver may be worth the price tag. I asked whether it would have limestone through it but she said it was pure quartz - but not sure if she would actually know tho.

Erich

k - the scoria I can get is clean. Yes there will be red dust but I have a composter which is a 44 gallon drum you can turn - that is rotate the handle so I would be able to wash it a bit

Get a bucket of a few different media's (separate of course), wash it out well then place it in a clean bucket, fill with water and test it a couple of times over 2 - 3 days - that would tell you what the PH is in specific media. Also test your base water - so you can see what the PH of the water is untouched

netab32

[/quote]

Kewl

A jig saw cuts them nicely - for sure.

I have so much in my head also, have something figured, get excited then I see another post from someone doing it a bit different (neater/better etc) then I get confused and look at modifying it again![/quote]

Am so glad Im not the only one

know exactly what you mean.

Good example for me is the timer to siphon back to timer confusion.

But also sometimes you look at all that and second guess yourself, then realise that your original ideas were Ok too! Its just that search for THE best ultimate way that does your head in dont you reckon?

Hubby is at the ready with the angle grinder for tomorrow. Sure we have a jigsaw somewhere....
Will have to find it cause I think hubby reckons that angle grinders can do anything (ie: everything!) - fave toy atm!

I guess we are starting out with a fairly large system too. If we had started with a pilot for our pilot we would have already ironed out some of these basic little bugs and answered a lot of questions, will just have to pick all your brains im afraid!

Unfortunately if we f@%k this up it will be quite impressive!

Have to say tho that I am so excited that its finally happening! :headbang:

netab32

Erich wrote:

k - the scoria I can get is clean. Yes there will be red dust but I have a composter which is a 44 gallon drum you can turn - that is rotate the handle so I would be able to wash it a bit

Get a bucket of a few different media's (separate of course), wash it out well then place it in a clean bucket, fill with water and test it a couple of times over 2 - 3 days - that would tell you what the PH is in specific media. Also test your base water - so you can see what the PH of the water is untouched

Ahh, was considering asking a mate for a lend of his backyard cement mixer but wasnt sure if it would work - by the sound of it, it would be ok.

Will do that Erich - get some soaking stones on the go after next trip to town!

Erich

netab32 wrote:

Will do that Erich - get some soaking stones on the go after next trip to town!

Good - just wash it out first so it will be like the same if you used it. Dont worry about the colour - its the PH but do a test on just the water before media is added. Some media brigs it up and some down. For me, my base PH (rain water) is 6.6 however 10 weeks on with 20mm blue gravel - its been 7.6 all the time. I will get some scoria Monday and test as above myself

Erich

netab32 wrote:

Good example for me is the timer to siphon back to timer confusion.

Ive gone std Bell siphon - easy and works perfectly

netab32 wrote:

Hubby is at the ready with the angle grinder for tomorrow. Sure we have a jigsaw somewhere. Will have to find it cause I think hubby reckons that angle grinders can do anything (ie: everything!) - fave toy atm!

Yep - it will work. Just have him lay it on a dead flat surface when he marks it (line he will cut on)

netab32

Worked out how to post the pics! :headbang:

netab32

sorry tank pics ended up wrong way round.

Here are some more...

abdul

Now THATS a first system! :thumbright:

can't wait to see more

netab32

Thanks for the thumbs up Abdul - much appreciated!

ivansng

I can't wait to see how big the second and third system is going to be....

netab32

ivansng wrote:

I can't wait to see how big the second and third system is going to be....

hehehehe...well, lets just say that we are in the dreaming/serious planning stage for number two which will be just slightly bigger

will probably be needing a bulldozer and some serious tree removal for that one (have 60 acres of citrus), but not for a year or two yet!

RupertofOZ

Looks like a great site to start with Netab...

Where abouts in NSW are you??

netab32

Hi Rupe!
We are in South West corner.

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