Temyong's Pilot AP Project

[temyong]

Hello fellow members. Throughout the year I have been loosely reading topics about Aquaponics. Loosely because I never gave my full attention to it. Matters related to agriculture as well as fish somehow picks my interest (being a son of a farmer/fisherman here in Southeast Asia). I was introduced to AP just through the internet (which lead me to this forum) and I was hooked up since. Call it great timing but recently I was given permission by our elder folks to do what I want with a parcel of land at the back of the yard (in the province). So I wasted no time and started planning on creating a system while I have the resources, which means having the extra money to hire laborers and buy construction materials.

I have decided to create my own thread for primarily 2 reasons:
1. Share with you my progress
2. Ask questions from experienced members regarding road blocks and uncertainties

Here is so far what I have done (hopefully to have attached the pic right):

IMG_3833.jpg

I have decided to dug up 2 fish tanks with a dimension of 40'x4'x3 (LxWxH). If my calculations are correct, each FT will approximately hold 3,500 gallons (13,500 liters) each. They will be lined up with either pond liners or used billboard tarpaulins (20oz.) whichever is cheaper, but I am leaning more on the latter.

As for the grow beds, they will be lined up above the FT and some other spaces. I am thinking of using plywood lined up with tarp (will post some pics once they're setup). IBC tanks may be added in the future but I don't know if they're expensive here.

I am not yet decided on the roofing structure since I'm having a hard time looking for the best and cheaper roofing material. I inquired about polythene but we seem to not have this in our country. Polycarbonate sheets seem expensive considering my system's size. Would be appreciated if anyone can suggest a better option

Filters, sumps and other

I have a working budget so I'm not tied to just the alternative materials, but too expensive materials are also out of play. This should help me out with my pilot project and then improve on some aspects should this be successful and expansion will be considered in the future.

I currently have a day job so I travel every weekend to oversee and supervise the continued work. Thanks for reading and hopefully hear your feedback and advices

Thank you!

[bbikebbs]

Welcome! What a great project to be starting. And we like pictures!!!

Be cautious of the billboard tarps. They "may" have plasticizers that could leach out into the water. The pond liners would be my first choice.


Scott

[temyong]

Thanks for the feedback Scott. May I ask what nutrients/bacteria will be affected by these plasticizers? What type of pond liner would you suggest btw? PVC?

[toddalbinson]

To my understanding only epdm or fish grade pvc. Happy fabricateing

[bbikebbs]

To my understanding only epdm or fish grade pvc. Happy fabricateing

I agree.

PVC is poly vinyl chloride. Most grades have plasticizers in it. It makes great outdoor signage, banners, car/truck decals, etc. Plasticizers are used to keep the film flexible. The problem is that the plasticizers do migrate out of the films into whatever is at the surface. Air, food and water will all take it up. Here are a couple of references I quickly dug up. It's no way an exhaustive/authoritative/sponsored list. Just something to start your own search.

http://www.drmeschi.com/archives/793
Migration from plasticized films i... [Food Addit Contam. 1988 Jan-Mar] - PubMed - NCBI
Flex Europa - What is Plasticizer Migration?

The main concern is do you want this class of chemical moving from the film into your system/food? My opinion is that I will exert an honest effort to avoid introducing any known contaminates into my AP system which may end up in the food I consume. That's why I wouldn't use the "used billboard tarpaulins."

Good luck and keep us posted.

[GaryD]

Hi,

I have to say that I'd be a bit wary of using "biilboard" tarps as AP system liners.

Aside from the plasticizers, I'd be concerned about the ink/paint that they use......and they'd certainly need a good scrub to get rid of road grease and emissions residues.

Gary

[temyong]

^Thanks for the references and advise.

The fish tank is nearing its setup completion, some finishing touches on the concrete walls and then laying out the pond liner. Earlier I was computing for its volume and upon measuring in cubic inches, each tank can hold as much as 17,000 liters. The initially planned 3' in depth is now more than 4' but i'll be using only up to 4 feet.

Now my question is, considering the volume, do I really need to have a water pump that can circulate/pump the said volume (17K liters) in an hour? I know the concept that (at least most of) the water needs to go through the growing media for filtering purposes, but this will spike my power consumption, right?

[temyong]

Another question please. I went to a local metal works shop and gave my specs for a custom made 1500-liter water tank (with a cone-shaped bottom with drainage). Planning this to be my first stage of filtration. Initially thinking to make this a swirl filter but posts around here confirm that a radial flow filter (Earthan Group's design) is better. In relation to my first question, if indeed I have a water pump (17K l/h), is it advisable to have this tank be a radial filter? I'm concerned that the power of the pump will overshoot the water in the inlet.

Thanks in advance.