New to Aquaponics - Georgia, USA

bits45

Well, it's a holiday weekend here in the States, so I figure since I do watch Football, I'd play with my AP Legos.

I re-did my filter and turned it into pretty much a swirl filter. I heard that a Radial Flow Filter is better, some say, but I must try everything at least once. Besides, I might be able to convert this one into a RFF later.

In the spirit of AP, I've tried to recycle what I can, when I can.

Intead of expensive bulkheads, I prefer to use, when possible, simple electrical fittings with O-rings or other thick bushings for plumbing. It only cost me about $3 US dollars for the set when all is said and done.

I placed a 3/4 inch drain with ball valve at the very bottle to clean out bucket. I know SFs don't always drain too well, but I think if I drop an air stone in the bucket a second after I open the drain valse it should drain all the poo out, especially since the FT water would still be flowing into buck. I do need to place a 1.5 inch ball valve on the pipe from the FT so I could pause the drain, but then I could just simply turn off the FT supply from the pump, Duh. It's in place already.

I still have the SF draining into a small filter box which rests on a brick inside the sump tank. This is where I place crushed coral to maintain my pH, which always seems to work great.

ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME. I know I need to raise the FT another foot, but that'll be a LOT of work (after the fact).

bits45

Here are a couple more shots of the swirl filter. It's a hodgepodge, but I'm trying to re-use materials when possible. I need better cover for the sump area. It's made up of many five pieces of cut foam board.

coachchris

I've had better luck using aluminum foil then plastic. But either will work. I wouldn't try a 6' branch. Usually have better luck with pencil to finger sized branches. Woody ornamentals are harder then softer plants and succulents. Also, I've found that sphagnum moss works better then soil. Good luck! Do multiple air layers on multiple plants...they usually don't all produce the same results. Wait 6-8 weeks and you should be good.

coachchris

Sorry bits45, I meant to reply to another post...not sure what happened. Nice looking system BTW.

bits45

NP choachchris. LOL I don't get enough replies anyway.

:-(

bits45

Q: What's the real difference between a swirl filter and a radial flow filter?

A: A plastic vodka bottle.

:thumbright:

I know everyone looks down upon the lonely 'ole SF, so my SF only lasted a day.

I've added one fitting and a shaped vodka bottle to redirect the flow for the SLO output in the five gallon bucket.

It shouldn't work any less than the SF, right?

:-)

Either way, it was fun. :flower:

Aubster

[size=150]Hey Bits45,
Your system is awesome! I can tell you put a lot of thought and research in it. I'm going to use your idea of writing the flow direction and destination on the pipes. It will help with the explanation to people who visit. I also like your creative way of re purposing things.
I can't wait to see how you progress.

Keep it up :thumbright:

Bcasey2703

Looking good bits! I too like your flow and explanations!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bodgy

Nice setup! :wave1:

Don't be disheartened at a lack of responses, you'll find that people can see that you seem to know what you want and you've clearly got the skills to do it. So I know I don't have any advice for you, you've probably got a better handle on things than I do!

Looking good.

bits45

Thanks guys. I'm learning so much from watching you and reading your posts. I "try" not to screw up too much where others have taught me not too. LOL :shifty:

I put together my first DWC bed today, pretty quick too. This is only temporary, but I think this is how I want to grow plants. This is also my first outside AP beds. I had only thought of using U-syphons AFTER I went to the store to purchase parts to connect the totes differently. At least the U-syphons allowed me not to cut unnecessary holes in the totes.

Does anyone here have experience with U-syphons? What can go wrong? I put two in here to see if it would be faster to level the totes and to act as a primary / backup.

I realize I don't have any cover over these yet. That's for another day. Ironically I was racing the rain to complete this today. We haven't seen rain in a couple weeks, so it was a surprise. Hopefully I don't get a huge down pore that would overflow my sump. I should probably have an overflow on the sump itself. Drat, I didn't think of that before. Put it on the list! :thumbleft:

Even though this is a small test, can you see any obvious issues that would hurt my system? I'm trying to block the sun from those black totes, but I want to do more with those when time permits.

My water pump is at it's absoluten max head-height ability. It's only a 550 GPH. Time to move up to a 1000 or larger.

Any suggestions on pumps? Especially ones I can obtain here in the U.S.

Thanks all for teaching us n00bies. I'm reading as many old posts here that I can find time to do. You guys can make some AWESOM looking systems.

bits45

I guess I'm wrong on the whole u-syphon name. Is it a bridge syphon instead? Does anyone use these?

Would I use a float valve of some sort to ensure the bed receiving the water can't overflow if both bridge syphons fail? I could end up draining my sump dry otherwise. Since I'm using CHIFT PIST my fish would be okay for a while, I guess.

This scares me.

jayendra

Can't help you with the U siphon.
I like the use of crates for DWC - do you have air stones in them?

bits45

I have new 40mm air stones on their way now, along with a new 1000 GPH pump. YAY me!

I'm researching the best (healthiest) foam boards now.

I know it's been mentioned here before, so I'll poke around some more tomorrow in the forums. But it's looking like I'll want to get the DOW product or Lowes GreenBoard? Extruded Polystyrene?

I did see someone's posting earlier today on this forum about ordering un-treaded foam board.

I also read someone description for using PVC piping to hold up the net pots? I'm not sure if I understood the description well.

More to research. All fun!

Concerning the Bridge Cyphon name. I think the BYAP Common Sense PDF documents mentioned J-Bends or U-Bends for the syphon tubes. Pretty cool designs.

Thanks,

bits45

I received my 1000 GPH water pump today with three new air stones. Wow what a difference moving up from a 550 GPH pump. I think the fish and plants will be happier.

I don't think I'll have any issues with the new DWC test beds I have out.

I like the 44mm air stones too. I hope the keep working well. Here's the link to a description of them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050H ... UTF8&psc=1

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