Gary's System #2

[GaryD]

Hi,

Announcing the arrival of Gary's System #2......

Several months ago, I laid down the criteria for my ideal backyard aquaponics system.

My final list of criteria included:

• Safe to be around.....the capacity to exclude unwanted entry.
• Ability to control the production parameters.....like temperature, DO, etc
• Small footprint – vertically integrated – convenient shape and size....stacking components.
• Integrates with other backyard food production systems....like Quail, worms, snails, chickens, rabbits, etc.
• Durable......made to last
• Easy to install and operate – comfortable working height.
• Productive......capable of producing an average of 1kg of fresh fish per week….and copious quantities of fresh vegetables, soft herbs and small livestock fodder.
• Versatile – system components to have multiple uses....and the ability to mix and match tanks and growbeds......and to use a variety of media.
• Cheap to operate - will operate on small pumps.....easily insulated against cold weather
• Designed specifically for an urban backyard.....in terms of overall scale and size of individual components.
• Affordable.....high perceived value and modest actual cost.
• Expandable....add new components as resources permit.
• Aesthetically pleasing......will reside comfortable in any backyard.....and even in many houses.
• Portable.....able to be easily emptied and relocated.....for renters.
• Low water usage.

My new system addresses these criteria.

Gary

[fishfood]

Gary has this system been built or is it on the drawing boards still if its been built wheres the pictures! we love pictures

[GaryD]

Hi FF,

The system has just been completed.......and the pictures are on the way.

Gary

[doug.a]

Well done Garry.
If it does all those things plus does the washing i would marry it.
Doug.a

[GaryD]

The microFISH FARM Aquaponics Unit is designed to grow fish, plants and duckweed.

The unit features a 1000 litre fish rectangular fish tank. It also has 2 x 585 litre fibreglass flood and drain gravel grow beds, a 250 litre fingerling tank and another 585 litre duckweed tank.

The fingerling tank is supported on top of the fish tank and is intended to extend the productive capacity of the whole system by allowing me to rear fingerlings at the same time that I'm growing out a batch of fish in the main tank.

It features an innovative tidal arrangement where nutrient rich water is pumped up to the two flood and drain gravel grow beds. As the beds fill, the water level in the fish tank and the duckweed pond drop simultaneously.

Once the grow beds fill to a predetermined level, the float switch shuts off the pump and the water drains back into the fish tank. As the level in the fish tank rises, so does the level of the duckweed tank.

This action imitates the ebb and flow of a tidal estuary.

This microFISH FARM Aquaponics Unit is designed to produce in excess of 60kg of freshwater fish per year. It will also produce many kilograms of clean, fresh vegetables and herbs.

The duckweed tank will assist in the management of water quality and provides high quality plant protein for the fish.

[GaryD]

Hi,

At the heart of the new system, is the 1000 litre fibreglass fish tank. It was designed specifically for use in backyard aquaponic systems.

It is rectangular in shape and features a lip around the top edge to enable it to support a fingerling tank or a grow bed......vertical stacking.

This arrangement covers half of the tank.....for safety and for light and heat loss control purposes.....and is space efficient. It also saves on the cost of a stand for the fingerling tank.

The photo shows the tank half buried in the ground.

Gary

[Jonty]

GaryD,

Sounds like you have got a great system nailed down. All I can say is bring on the warm weather so we can get some fish.

Regards
Jonty

[nick]

all looks very nice, seems like a very nice neat little system to get people started with and easily expandable.

My question is more for murray than gary, so sorry.
But murray when will the 1000L tubs go up for sale on the website. I am very interested in the price.

Cheers and well done again,
Nick

[GaryD]

Hi,

These photos show the progressive development of my new system as it was set up.

1. The concrete pad is cleared off in readiness for the grow bed stands.
2. The first grow bed in place
3. Both grow beds set up.
4. The duckweed tank is installed
5. The major components of the system are in place.

Gary

[doug.a]

gary,
well done very impressive a question or two how are you controling the flow from the pump through the gb and return to the fish tank and also the duckweed tank being shallower than the fish tank yet tied to it for drainage or pumping into the gb does it dry out or is the outlet some way up the tank?
dou.a