Duncans System -

[DuncanC]

Hi AquaponicsHQ team,


I've returned to the world of aquaponics and am really looking forward to FINALLY setting up my first system. The initial problem was acquisition of space, but I've finally addressed that issue.

So expect some a Duncans System thread in the next few weeks (I've got some holidays in early Feb to set the whole thing up).

Also a big Hi to Murray (I'm still going to use the 2300ltr I got from you) and Gary, whose system I can't wait to see again.

Cheers,

Duncan.

[Murray]

Good on you Duncan,
Looking forward to seeing some pix as you progress.
I will move this to your own thread right now.

[DuncanC]

Thanks Murray.

I'm just laying out the floor plans for it and getting an idea for exactly how I'm going to run it (which way I flow the water etc).

So far I have one 2300 ltr tank and 2 bath tub grow beds, so I'm going to have to go a little light on the old stocking density so that I don't have to much nitrates.

I may have a possum problem so I'm going to have to build a structure using four main posts and cyclone fencing wire as walls to keep them out.

I can't wait to start!

[DuncanC]

I've just built a mini-enclosure to test the effectiveness of cyclone fencing at stopping possums from getting into the enclusure. I'm expecting this to go well and I should have the go ahead.

[DuncanC]

It has begun! *runs around the room happy*. What's even better is I had the Mrs giving me a hand this arvo, it was great to have her involved, the benefits in support let alone the physical labour is great.

I've gotten a 6mx3m "gazebo" from the B store for it's frame. Cost $199. I've had to cut it down to a 5mx2.5m but it's still great. I've got 2mX3.25m of green marine matting that I'm going to use as flooring over a dirt base.

I've almost completed the 30cm deep hole for my tank to go in (one of Murray's 2300ltr ones) and have gotten 16 Bessa Blocks for growbed stands. All is going well and on track to have the whole thing setup and begun cycling by the end of my 2 week "holiday".

Gary, do you still work at Tingalpa? And if so could I grab 100ltrs or so of water off you (over a few days if that'll be easier) from one of your established systems to give mine a boost?

I suppose I should also discuss the rest of my system, but I think photos will work better (I'll have the first set in a couple of days).

Also, can anyone tell me how long before I actually want fish that I need to talk to a fish nursery/fishery thing to buy fingerlings from?

Cheers,

Duncan

[GaryD]

Hi Duncan,

I can take 100 litres of water to Tingalpa for you. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is not such a good day.....but anytime after that will be fine.

I'll PM you my contact numbers so that we can organise a time that suits you.

Gary

[DuncanC]

Typo above!! The gazebo only cost $129 from the B Store and with some extra duct tape on the joints is sturdy as! The hole is now completely dug and theres a little sand in the bottom that's leveled. The tank is there but just drying after I cleaned it out (it had been sitting unused for a year so it needed a good scrub:)), so I'll be putting that in this arvo. If I can I'll get some pictures posted up tomorrow, because as they say, a pictures worth a 1000 words :)

Also, the grow bed stands will be going up tomorrow morning, I've still got to go look up that article in practical aquaponics on building those grow bed stands.

Cheers,

Duncan.

[DuncanC]

The tank is in! The grow beds are on their new stands (16 bessa blocks and 6 x 2400x90x70deep pieces of pine and ~$100 for two stands later).

Tomorrow the plumbing.

Although I have run into a small problem. My grow beds are actually below my tank level and I think I've going to have to run a sump with pump :( so much for a 1 pump system. The other option I has is to raise my grow beds up another 200mm by putting in another row of bessa blocks, but I think that will cut down the height I can grow things to.

Once again I'll try to get some photos off the camera to post up.

Cheers,

Duncan.

[fishfood]

Try and post a picture maybee theres a nother way

[DuncanC]

Try and post a picture maybee theres a nother way

I'll do that as soon as I can tomorrow morning FF. I don't have access to the camera at the moment.

[fishfood]

Duncan look at my system page 4 no 17 grow beds with side exit

[DuncanC]

Ok. As promised, pictures!!!

Pic 1 "Growbed and Tank": This shows one of my bathtub growbeds. The problem I have is that the top of the bathtub is the same height as the tank, thus gravity feeding the water back into the tank won't work.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8462/growbedandtankns3.jpg

Pic 2 "Whole System": as per title, this is my whole system. The tank at the back is dug ~30cms into the ground for insulation purposes. See my lovely new green marine carpeting that I'm using for a floor? The gazebo will encompass all this (I'm measured that about 50 times now :P). After the system is running etc, I intend to put a duckweed grow bed on the right or perhaps some half barrel potatoes/carrots.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9584/wholesystemtb1.jpg

Pic 3 "Gazebo Roof": My, now, cut down and duck taped for extra support Gazebo roof :) This was originally 6mx3m, but is now 5m x 2.5m. This was $129 from the B store.
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/958/gazeboroofbj8.jpg


*Edit: resized images down

[DuncanC]

So now that there are pics, you can see that my problem is that I don't have enough bathtub/growbed height to gravity feed the water back into the fishtank. What I'm looking for is advice on whether I should:

a) put another run of bessa blocks under the bathtubs/growbeds

b) put in a sump

c) (and my least favourite) take the tank out and dig it down another 30cms

d) Another awesome suggestion that I've not thought of :)

Thanks in advance.

Duncan.

[Murray]

Hi Duncan, Thanks for the pix.
It is looking good.
Everyone is different, but I would dig the tank in another 30cm. That would also depend on how the soil is at your place.
If there are rocks etc underground that may not be practical. What can you do with the excess dirt. In suburbia it can be difficult to get rid of the excess dirt at times.
The easiest way is to get a collection sump and another pump. Will cost a few dollars but it will be the easiest way. It depends on weather you have more money than energy, or more energy than money. :)

If you make the grow beds too high it will be a pain to tend the garden.

[DuncanC]

Thanks for the feedback Murray. It's good to be able to cross off the raise the growbeds option (I was also worried about stability issues).

Underneath the tank is rock and clay, it is POSSIBLE to dig it further in, but I'm also concerned that the tank will then only sit about 40cms above ground and it will be difficult to use/access the tank.

Cheers,

Duncan.

[Martin A1]

Hi Duncan,

I wouldn't discount the raising of the grow beds. A third row of blocks would fix it..... nice and easy!

I understand your concerns about stability but as long as your footings are sound and level you will find that once you fill the beds with gravel they will not move for anyone! Add water and its even more so.

Look at some of the pics from my second system and you will also see that I used pre made concrete footing slabs and an extra row of timber to raise the beds without the third row of blocks. It seems you will need the third row to obtain enough height but mess around with different combos to get the height you need.

I reckon raising your beds also brings them closer to waist height and of course the sun (less shadow time depending upon your aspect). It will be cheaper (although not free) but I reckon' the simplicity aspect is enough motivation alone.

Otherwise knock up a rectangular timber frame or two and poor yourself a concrete slab under each set of blocks.

[DuncanC]

Hey Martin,

I went and took a long look at my system yesterday arvo and decided on the extra brick because it was teh least amount of work, that also meant my system would remain a 1 pump system with a gravity feed back to the tank (thus it's alot harder for me to accidentally pump all the water out of the tank if a second pump dies).

The growbeds are only at a height of ~700mm at the moment and I don't think an extra 200mm will make to much of a difference from a planting/tending perspective.

I'll post up some more pics once I've made the changes.

Cheers,

Duncan.

[daniel]

If its any help, my grow beds are about the same height as yours (for the same reasons as you) and i find them quite convenient to work with.

At least you decided to raise it before it was full of gravel and plants. I expanded my system and had to raise 2 beds with a car jack. I am constantly surprised i still have all my fingers left.

[DuncanC]

I was always going to fix it before I filled them. But thanks for passing on the problems of not doing it :D It's all going along well, but slowly.

The gazebo is now up, but only the top and 2 sides are covered in chicken wire.

I'll post some progress pics when I get the chance.

[DuncanC]

Ok, new problem time.

In an attempt to turn a submersible pump into an external pump, I have put a pipe running from the tank to the pump and then to the grow beds. The problem is that the pump will not pump water, even when primed. So my question is, does a submersible pump need to be submersed in the tank or has anyone else had success with converting one into an external pump?

Thanks in advance,

Duncan.

[fishfood]

Duncan submersable pumps need to be submersed to keep them cool [ie submersablepump]

[GaryD]

Hi,

I can't remember what kind of pump Duncan is running but if it's one of the RIO pumps they can be run as submersibles.....or as centrifugal pumps.

I'd suggest that to make them work in centrifugal mode, an overhead priming tank would be a necessity. A non-return foot valve on the suction would also be a good idea.

Personally, the reason I run submersibles in all of my tanks is that installation and plumbing is simplicity itself. The only advantage that I can see in running centrifugal pumps is where you need to lift water over 2 metres.

GaryD

[DuncanC]

Hi Guys,

Big update time. Recently I installed my pump and plumbing so that the system floods and drains, however, until today I did't have power to the pump (other than by an extension cord I ran out there every time I wanted to test it). So now I have got safe power out there and have begun the system cycling. If tomorrow morning, when I check it next, it hasn't over flowed I'll be getting my growbed medium and installing that.

I'm getting close and it's feeling good!!! I'm so excited!!!!

I'll try to get some new pics as soon as the grow bed medium is in.

Cheers,

Duncan

[Murray]

Good one Duncan. What grow bed medium are you intending to use ?

[DuncanC]

Good one Duncan. What grow bed medium are you intending to use ?

Hi Murray,

I'm definately going to go with the expanded clay balls. I can't wait to get the system running.

Cheers,

Duncan