new system questions

[blist]

we are looking at putting in a new aquaponics system and I wanted to run the basic design past people with a lot of experience to see what they think

basically, we have real long (not very wide) rows to work so my concern is if I need multiple drains and/or multiple water outlets going into the GBs, it seems there could be some issues with water in GBs that are extremely long

we will be using some lava rock on the bottom and gravel on the top for the GBs, any tips or pointers on potential problems with pumping, drainage, etc etc would be appreciated, we want to use basic ebb/flow system with just the FT and GB and bell syphon straight into the FT

I am attaching a very basic layout with the dimensions.

[blist]

It looks like maybe the attachment got reduced to 6kb and the original image image is 37kb so here is a link to the full sized one http://j.mp/asDpPU

[blist]

any comments?

[GaryD]

Hi Blist,

Here's few thoughts:

• You don't seem to have factored any mechanical filtration into your system. Without some form of solids removal, you will be limited in your stocking density. What fish are you planning to use?
• If you incorporate some mechanical filtration and trickling bio-filter into your design, you can probably reduce the depth of the media in your grow bed (to as little as 150mm).....which will make the task of cleaning your grow bed (should you ever have to do it) much easier. You'll also be able to isolate your grow bed from your fish tank in the event that you contract a disease or infestation in you fish or plants.
• Since you can't have multiple syphons in a single grow bed, I'd advise you to position your autosyphon in the middle of the bed.
• Are you aware that flood and drain is not your only option? Have you considered surface or sub-surface continuous flow?

What's the climate like in your area.


Gary

[blist]

Thanks, I am pretty new to all this and much of the info I have is off a dvd from backyardaquaponics.

I will most likely end up with Tilapia since I am in the US. I am curious if maybe red worms could help in the process of breaking down material in the growbed since I have those for composting already.

I haven't really looked at any other types of systems since flood/drain seem to be very cost effective and very popular (but again I am far from an expert).

It is very hot and humid here almost year round. We get a couple months (Jan/Feb) where it can get wet and cold but it rarely freezes.

[GaryD]

Hi Blist,

I will most likely end up with Tilapia since I am in the US. I am curious if maybe red worms could help in the process of breaking down material in the growbed since I have those for composting already.

Tilapia are a very hardy species and well suited to your climate......although you may need to consider some form of heating during the colder months. Alternatively, you could scale down during the winter and just rear fingerling in smaller tanks and then pour the feed into them as the warm weather rolls around.

Worms are very useful in any media-based aquaponics system because they feed on dead bacteria and similar small organisms and they will break up any solids that end up in your growbeds. While they are not the complete solution to keeping grow beds clean, they are very helpful nonetheless.

I haven't really looked at any other types of systems since flood/drain seem to be very cost effective and very popular (but again I am far from an expert).

While they can be expensive (relative to some other options), flood and drain grow beds can be made to work very well....... particularly if you incorporate mechanical and other biological filtration into your design.

Gary