LV's IBC system

[Lord Viykor]

My second system is finally cycling away, still needs a few glitches ironed out.

Two of my five beds start to 'trickle' drain as soon as they start filling I'm assuming my leak holes are too big. I've blocked one with bluetac and it seem to fill and siphon ok.

I also assumed my beds would totally drain once they siphoned, they seem to retain maybe water to a depth of 50mm.

The main tank overflows occasionally as the return line to the sump and the overflow to the grow beds don't move water quick enough. I have added a tee piece from the pump line with a tap to allow some flow to immediately return to the sump.

Next step is to get all the taps set so they are flowing just right.

[GaryD]

Hi LV,

Auto-syphons can be fiddly but it sounds like you've got yours under control.

Don't be too concerned about having some water remain in the growbed. So long as it is below the root zone of your plants it won't do any damage (and it will shorten your fill and drain time)


The main tank overflows occasionally as the return line to the sump and the overflow to the grow beds don't move water quick enough. I have added a tee piece from the pump line with a tap to allow some flow to immediately return to the sump.

If I understand you correctly, you're just bypassing some water from the pump (in the sump) back into the sump. Right?

Gary

[Lord Viykor]

If I understand you correctly, you're just bypassing some water from the pump (in the sump) back into the sump. Right?

Gary

You've got it correct Gary, I've added a tee piece and tap so I can divert some of the flow back to the sump.

[GaryD]

Hi LV,

Surplus water flow can be used to good effect to boost aeration in the sump.......immediately before the fish tank.

Gary

[Lord Viykor]

It's been a really long time since I've posted on how my aquaponics is going, I'll plead work commitments as my excuse. Out of the 230 days I spent at work this year I was away for 101 of them. My lovely wife kept watch over the aquaponics, bees and gardens.

I was ready to pull the second system to bits as it seemed pretty static for about 8 months. Since around October with it warming up it has really taken off and I happy with how it's going. It would be nice if I didn't keep loosing produce to the rats in the area.

So far we've harvested 8 out of our 10 original Jade Perch and restocked both systems with more Jade Perch fingerlings. I'm keen to try barramundi in my smaller system next time around, just need to sort out heating for winter time.

Some photos on how it's going.

[Pugo]

It all looking good to these old eyes..:) congrats on your grow out of the jade perch..

[silloth52]

hi lord viykor
what do you use for aeration
i am presently fishless cycling ready for trout in our autumn and are presently using the excess from my 6000lt/hr pump to make bubbles using a spray bar and venturi type pipe

[Lord Viykor]

hi lord viykor
what do you use for aeration
i am presently fishless cycling ready for trout in our autumn and are presently using the excess from my 6000lt/hr pump to make bubbles using a spray bar and venturi type pipe

My first system is a simple flood and drain setup with a tee valve returning 1/2 the pump flow to the fish tank to aerate the water in a jet similar to your photo. With my second system I have a second 'cheapie' pump with a length of poly pipe attached to a watering can 'rose' nozzle just below the water level. It is on a timer and runs 15 minutes on every 45 minutes. Both of these setups seem to be working for me at present