Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Guys,
thought i would post the progress thus far on my AP system, it has been a slow road as ive only set aside little bits of time and money for it. However i am making strides in the hope of getting the system up and running this year. Ive been a member for a few years just gathering idea's browsing around taking notes.

I've sunken two IBC's in the ground with an area in between to make room for maintenance and filters/pumps. Im hoping this will keep the temps down during summer as the beds should help shade the fish and marron.

Im planning to have two half IBC cut outs for the marron underneath the growbeds, and separate them into little pens in case they get any ideas of eating each other.

We have room for 4x grow beds, and 4x 60ltr containers down the side of the shed - which we plan to use for tomatoes and strawberrys.

I have had the electrician run 240v to a wall box on the back fence where i plan to run all the electrics and the monitoring for the gear and temperature etc.. Separate line added for cat6 in case the wifi is flakey. Planning to use a rPi to graph as much as i can.

As for fish choice, im still new to this ive heard that trout and silver perch are good start; ill need to find suppliers for the fish and marron here in adelaide somewhere.

Im at the stage of putting the platform on for a walkway around the beds with marine ply plates so i can still get under the deck if needed; when this is completed ill need to start doing some research on air/water pumps and plumbing.

If anyone has any further ideas they can suggest to me; i can admit i haven't thought of everything just tried to consider what i need and where.

thanks,
-Nathan

Here comes the pics:

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My Sunken IBC System

Welcome Nathan

Pics, what pics There are a couple of threads on how to add pics over in this portion of the forum - http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

Cheers

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My Sunken IBC System

Hey there
Check out this thread it's pretty cool
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=22849&start=120
I like the barrel sumps

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current system build
IBC system retired
Barrels&IBC in the greenhouse system retired

breaking ground! so much clay would of taken me months! everyone is convinced ill use it as a pool

no longer a pipe dream, ibcs are in the ground!

nothing is square, no datum, no idea where to start

need to do some weeding, too busy putting in concrete!

three coats of two pack

growbed frames are seated, plenty of room

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My Sunken IBC System

another trip to bunnings needed to get the chemisets, and start work on the frame, heaps of room under the frame for plumbing

concreted last two posts, still looks like a science experiment

through bolts in to prevent sheering, posts all cut to height

frame together, more test fitting

hope this hole is big enough just for the fish catcher. will cut some holes in the back for air and tubes

Boards half way finished, supports going in

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My Sunken IBC System

Nathan can I please ask you re-consider your fish.....when starting out there are (nearly) always mistakes and trout/perch are not cheap but little gold fish are...goldies they are as tough as old boots and will tollerate a lot more than the others mentioned

I am a slow learner on third system ...no pics yet.... and still enjoy my goldies what ever sort they are.

ps just seen your photos ...if you ever give this crazy thing up hit me for a sell offer. love your metal work.

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All vegies would be nicer to eat ......if they tasted like BACON

thanks tonzz, im certainly worried about killing off my first batch of fish. i will cycle the system with a bunch of goldfish first for sure.

the steel is all left over c channel from the shed and deck, with the frame/beds/media/plants + water there is some serious weight so i figured i would build it to suit. I have some other concerns about the tanks imploding with a cave in so ive re-enforced where i could.

i need to start working on the second frame for the back of the shed; on the hunt for plastic tubs long but not very wide to suit tomatoes and strawberrys

research into a biofilter, pumps and shading

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My Sunken IBC System

Be careful if water gets between dirt and sump you might have that issue. Some reinforce with tin or shade cloth around IBC cage

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current system build
IBC system retired
Barrels&IBC in the greenhouse system retired

Found some time and completed the rear bench, ive got enough room to run 7x 52ltr tubs found at a local food supplier, bench is really strong and even level! making good use of the wasted space behind my shed and under the steel rack.

Used some left over fencing rails to make the bench, strong enough to hold all it all together.

Nally tubs they are HDPE food grade and UV resistant.

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My Sunken IBC System

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My Sunken IBC System

I now need to do some research into what sizes needed for fill and drain

i have quite alot of 25mm blue line i was considering using for the fill from the pump however it only has a 20mm inside diameter, and im concerned its not enough or might fill up with gunk in the future?
Also blueline fittings are horrendously expensive (right angle $12!!), and i was looking to use regular 19mm barb fittings from bunnings with hose clamps.

and for the drain i was considering 25/32mm pvc [1"/1.25"] not sure how this will work out with the siphon's

be good if i could find a resource on here to give me some guidance where to go next; ive been looking around to find systems from adelaide - havent hit gold as yet.

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My Sunken IBC System

You're doing a top job there, all looking great.

The cost of fittings for your 25mm blue line would blow the budget, and everytime you extended or up sized it would hit you in the pocket again.

I would just use 25mm Black Poly from Bunnings and then all your fittings are a reasonable price.

For your bell siphons I would use 25mm stand pipes with 65mm bells, I started out with 25mm stand pipes and 50mm bells and then changed up to 65mm bells on Mr. Damage's advice on a 3:1 ratio for standpipe diameter to bell diameter and found with the larger bells the siphon ran far better.

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My System:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=15600&hilit=joblow%27s+system

My Fish:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtiiZv ... iWEVFANEVQ

Any finished pictures yet.

Setup is looking tip top. I might suggest if you don't mind, making certain the landscaping our the totes and filter dug out are set to prevent surface water from channeling in. I gotta ask is 3rotor in reference to Mazda RX7 & RX8?

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Brian's AP
I don't understand all I know about this
Specs: 2600 gallon (347.56cf) Masonry fish pond. 44cf GBs. 200 gal (26.7cf) ST. 15 gal (2cf) RFF. 50 gal (6.7cf) biofilter. Brook trout and Comets.