Questions re: Proposed Aquaponics set-up!

[Samh]

Hey everyone!
I'm within a month or so of embarking on my first aquaponics project (among other things :)) and would love to run some ideas past you all and hopefully get some good comments and advice back!

We want to set something up of a size that would provide excess fish for a family of 4 initially, plus associated veg. Ideally we will expand this significantly 6-12 months down the track with a view to running it as a profitable part of the farm.

At the moment it looks like we will be able to contain the entire initial system within a greenhouse (say 90sqm of useable space). Are there any disadvantages to that at all? I'm aware of the 'pros' :)

I had thought of constructing 'ponds' inside the greenhouse for the fish. These would be square or rectangular, lined with good quality dam liner or similar (anything specifically good for this?) but I haven't figured out how many to start with or sizes - things to be worked on. Also, I can set it up to be able to gravity drain any pond at need..
The reasons I had thought of this are to save money and space, as well as an extra degree of thermal insulation.
Are there any other pros or cons? Is the thermal element negated by the fact the water is travelling through other parts of the system anyway?

From there I like the idea of pumping through independant solids and bio filters, then plants in either NFT or drip irrigated gravel beds, or both. BUT for now I'd love to know what you think of the plastic lined ponds in a greenhouse plan.

Cheers!

[Crusty]

Hi Sam and welcome.

There is only one issue with lined raceway type setups is they are quite difficult to get any solids out of them unless your flow rate is significantly higher than you would normally use in an aquaponic system. This means more cleaning. That is by all means not a big negative provided you keep the stocking density realistic (work that out later). The thermal benefit or both the green house and earthen ponds (firestone liner) will be significant and provide you with a slightly longer growout period, especially in your winter down south.

A few things to give some thought to before you commit: How much fish would your family like to be eating (once, twice, ten times a month) and have you a species of fish in mind? Determining these will give you some place to start on your concept design.

[francois]

Hey everyone!
I'm within a month or so of embarking on my first aquaponics project (among other things :)) and would love to run some ideas past you all and hopefully get some good comments and advice back!

We want to set something up of a size that would provide excess fish for a family of 4 initially, plus associated veg. Ideally we will expand this significantly 6-12 months down the track with a view to running it as a profitable part of the farm.

At the moment it looks like we will be able to contain the entire initial system within a greenhouse (say 90sqm of useable space). Are there any disadvantages to that at all? I'm aware of the 'pros' :)

I had thought of constructing 'ponds' inside the greenhouse for the fish. These would be square or rectangular, lined with good quality dam liner or similar (anything specifically good for this?) but I haven't figured out how many to start with or sizes - things to be worked on. Also, I can set it up to be able to gravity drain any pond at need..
The reasons I had thought of this are to save money and space, as well as an extra degree of thermal insulation.
Are there any other pros or cons? Is the thermal element negated by the fact the water is travelling through other parts of the system anyway?

From there I like the idea of pumping through independant solids and bio filters, then plants in either NFT or drip irrigated gravel beds, or both. BUT for now I'd love to know what you think of the plastic lined ponds in a greenhouse plan.

Cheers!

you say
very wise way of starting up
fist feedding family and then growwing to sustainable operation
you will gain valuable experience allong the way
on hands experience which no book can teach
learning/reading/taking note logging data
good learning curve

go for it my friend
wish you good luck

[Samh]

Thanks guys

Crusty - I've had a look at the 'raceway' type set ups and it's not exactly what I had in mind. I had thought more of a submerged pump (or inlet) in each 'pond' - basically treat them as you would an above ground tank? Perhaps it's possible to run a single pump per system with multiple inlets...? Water return via gravity after the GBs. I can shape them to a drain point to make cleaning easier when necessary, but it'd be great to make that as infrequent as possible by whatever means necessary ;) Those firestone liners are exactly what I had in mind.

I think initially we'd like to set up to be able to harvest 100 fish a year. I've had a look at species and like the look of either Silver or Jade perch, as well as Sleepy Cod. If we choose to go with 2 species, is there a need to set up 2 seperate systems or just seperate ponds?

francois - "very wise way of starting up
fist feedding family and then growwing to sustainable operation
you will gain valuable experience allong the way
on hands experience which no book can teach
learning/reading/taking note logging data
good learning curve" - my thoughts exactly ;) Cheers

[GaryD]

Hi Sam,


I've had a look at species and like the look of either Silver or Jade perch, as well as Sleepy Cod. If we choose to go with 2 species, is there a need to set up 2 seperate systems or just seperate ponds?
Jade perch and sleepy cod are warm water fish and your winters will be too cold unless you provide supplementary heating. While you will hear others talk about keeping jades in colder weather (and I've done it myself), I don't recommend it because, even if they survive, they won't grow at the rate that they should.

Silver perch are much better equipped to deal with colder weather.

Gary

[Samh]

Hi Sam,


Jade perch and sleepy cod are warm water fish and your winters will be too cold unless you provide supplementary heating...
...Silver perch are much better equipped to deal with colder weather.

Gary

I discovered this about 5 mins after my last post heh... Silver perch are pretty much decided then!
What water temps can Sleepy Cod survive, even if becoming fairly inactive? If it's too restrictive perhaps catfish are a better idea.

[Crusty]

Crusty - I've had a look at the 'raceway' type set ups and it's not exactly what I had in mind. I had thought more of a submerged pump (or inlet) in each 'pond' - basically treat them as you would an above ground tank? Perhaps it's possible to run a single pump per system with multiple inlets...? Water return via gravity after the GBs. I can shape them to a drain point to make cleaning easier when necessary, but it'd be great to make that as infrequent as possible by whatever means necessary ;) Those firestone liners are exactly what I had in mind.
I was thinking along the lines of space. In that case, building ponds will be just fine. Would be beneficial to have the ponds linked in series (in line) connected to a sump where you submerged pump is located. This will prevent the need to have the fish swimming about with a vibrating pump next to them and save some "death by suction" of your young fish.


I think initially we'd like to set up to be able to harvest 100 fish a year. I've had a look at species and like the look of either Silver or Jade perch, as well as Sleepy Cod. If we choose to go with 2 species, is there a need to set up 2 seperate systems or just seperate ponds?..... Silver perch are pretty much decided then!
If you plan to produce 100 Silver perch per year, you will be looking at a realistic growout time of 15-18 months depending on what size you want to eat them (in this example 400grams each pre dressed). You may be able to do it quicker but quoting commercial growth rates is not relevant and best to plan for a longer grow out, so you do not end up over stocked.

How you plan out the system will depend on how you plan to stock it. All in or staggered over time. At this point, I would suggest a fish tank capacity of at least 4000 liters total assuming a density of 10kg/m3 (25x400gram fish per 1000Liters). How you configure that will develop through further discussions.



What water temps can Sleepy Cod survive, even if becoming fairly inactive? If it's too restrictive perhaps catfish are a better idea.
Species range temperature is 20 to 28C - Ref: NAC

[Samh]

Thanks very much for all the help. I'll draw up a design in the next couple days and put it up here for a discussion and changes!

One more thing - Linking the ponds in series with a sump sounds great, but how much do I have to worry about solids accumulation in the ponds without some sort of pressure flowing in or out - is it just a case of draining for a proper clean at harvest?
*edit* - will a couple of eel tails in each pond help clean up?

[Crusty]

Thanks very much for all the help. I'll draw up a design in the next couple days and put it up here for a discussion and changes!

One more thing - Linking the ponds in series with a sump sounds great, but how much do I have to worry about solids accumulation in the ponds without some sort of pressure flowing in or out - is it just a case of draining for a proper clean at harvest?
*edit* - will a couple of eel tails in each pond help clean up?

I look forward to seeing the layout Sam.

Linking the ponds will need some form of piping laid under so you can 1, drain the ponds when needed, this could be set up with a harvest drain easily enough, which allows the ponds to be half drained (or to what ever height you like) or totally drained. 2, design your ponds with a center drain, similar to an aquaculture tank ( with a sloping bottom) to take care of removing the solids for you through gravity and positive displacement from the return from the growbeds. If the growbeds are above, which we shall assume they are, you will be pumping from your sump (one pump) to your growbeds and they will be draining back into your ponds.

The reason I suggest several ponds in series (eg 1200liters each x 4) is you can then stock at different times without having to grade your fish. This will give you a tank you will be harvesting from over a month or two while your others grow out without stress of you messing about in their water with a net to catch a feed. :o)

[froggo]

Hi SamH,

your system sounds great. Looking forward to seeing your plans and system setup.

God bless, froggo.

[Samh]

Hey hey!

Wish this hadn't taken so long, but there were other things that had to be done :(

But here's installment A. ! I'd love to read any questions comments, criticism or advice from anyone (that knows more than I ;))

The ponds will be dug out and then mounded around to create ponds to a depth of ~1m, and lined with a dam liner. QUESTION How easy is it to cut holes and fix piping reliably through the liner?

Will also have some decent air stones - can I just load a heap into the sump, or will I have to put some in each pond?

579

Under each pond I had included that little dead end (like under your kitchen sink) to gather some solids - will there be solids heavy enough to drop through or will all be too suspended?

I drew this up without a drain option - we have a fire pump we could use, I had thoughts of removing the grate, sticking it down the pipe and sucking to remove solids and drain. Each entrance/exit point will be a tap with something fish proof over it, so any can be closed. Are there big negatives to this idea? Pump disturb fish or something? Thinking it will only be done every 12-18 months per pond.... (it simplifies design and build options)

The grow beds will probably be a combo of NFT and drip feeding - this will require some further design to disperse water correctly (at the 'overflow' point after bio filter)... but I don't really have concerns about sorting that part out right.

I Had one thought as I was drawing this up - if the return from the growbeds was to all ponds rather than 1, then you would have a sequentially faster flow rate in each... would this be beneficial for stocking different size (or sp.) fish in diff. ponds, or not a great idea?

Love to hear what you think, I'll add any more info as it's required ;)

[Crusty]

Hi Sam, just off the top of my head for now.

Solids filter before the sump and the pump mate. No point in chewing them up before you try to take them out.

A bypass is also a good idea for the bio filter (as well as the grow beds).