The Queenslander

[GaryD]

Hi Moose,

I really like the look of the Queenslander system but why biofilter from the sump? Is this because the water there will have the least particulate matter?

Yes, it's about ensuring that the water that that goes through the bio-filter contains the least suspended particulates (thereby optimising the nitrification function) and that the water that enters the fish tank is in the best possible condition.....in terms of aeration.

The design of the Queenslander is such that I can also disconnect the growing systems whenever I have to dose the fish with salt or treat the plants with an organic remedy that might still knock the fish around.

With the biofilter in somewaht of a recirulate mode what type of flow are you diverting back to the biofilter from the feed to the fish tank?

We still have to experiment to find the best recirculation rate but, at this stage, I'm thinking that about half of the pump discharge will recirculate.

Gary

[moose]

http://tilapiafarmingathome.com/Smal...rySystems.aspx thougth you might to see this. I am thinking about something like this hooked up to grow beds which would be similar too the Queensland.

[GaryD]

Hi Moose,

The system to which you linked is interesting from several viewpoints.

The amount of fish that you can produce in a given quantity of water depends largely on your ability to clean the water and maximise the amount of oxygen that it can contain.......while keeping it at the temperature best suited to the species being raised.

The Queenslander relies on component positioning, grow bed management and environmental control to do these things.

Gary

[moose]

I am not looking at the fingerling farm approach but at the configuration and materials to which I have access. It seemed if the sump were lowered that that system was very similar in design to your approach and with an adequate volume sump grow beds without lowering the sump to much and still producing adequate flow and not needing a step ladder to pick veggies. I think water flows down hill even up here not so sure about that clockwise counter clockwise thing.

[GaryD]

Hi Moose,

I think water flows down hill even up here not so sure about that clockwise counter clockwise thing.

I don't understand......

Gary

[moose]

Supposedly water going down the drain counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern. Called coriolis effect

[Bidadisndat]

"Supposedly" is correct. Research has revealed that that commonly held belief is in fact a myth.

[wakamole]

Would this system be appropriate to try for an enthusiastic beginner?
Are there specific diagrams/plans?

[GaryD]

Hi Wakamole,

The Queenslander is a concept.....designed to utilise whatever components you can access in your own location. It's the layout of those components and the way that they are managed that makes The Queenslander what it is.

I posted a diagram earlier in this thread that shows the flow path of the water in the system......and you can see the details of the system using the links to my blog.....in earlier posts on this thread.

Feel free to ask any questions that may remain once you've looked at these posts.

Gary

[wakamole]

Thanks for the prompt reply Gary

After a fair bit of research but absolutely 0 practical knowledge it seems that a small continuous flow, media based system that can be deep-flow (or mixed deep flow and media) adaptable makes the most sense to me.

I admire the integral food supply/waste management "holistic" approach to this design.

What general ratios of tank volumes would be a good starting point before I introduce living things?

I guess the sump will not need to hold the whole growbed with continuous flow so it can be smaller. Yabbies? Mussels?

Duckweed tank could be shallow but how much surface area? Similar size to the growbed or fishtank?

Any and all info at all will be gratefully received.

Scott - absolute beginner