G
Guest
se... you knoww...
Last edited:
-
ICMag with help from Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest in November! You can check it here. Prizes are seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!
G
Guest
Gidday VT
Thanks for the kind words. Life's been real good this year and it was time to return to some things I love.
Lost 3 of my favourite fish recently. Cat got in and did some fishing...
Thanks for the kind words. Life's been real good this year and it was time to return to some things I love.
Lost 3 of my favourite fish recently. Cat got in and did some fishing...
Last edited:
G
Guest
The Cabinet
The Cabinet
and...
The Cabinet
and...
Last edited:
G
Guest
DWC
DWC
Have run an experiment over the past week with a DWC bucket. Despite the undergravel filter there has been silt build up over the years and so I determined to see at what rate. Using a flow of 8 x per hour the 'test bucket' accumulated a teaspoon of silt in a week. This is fairly slow buildup but it competes for oxygen and would be better avoided. For a cleaner, and I believe subsequently better grow, a sponge filter between the pump and the buckets (pumps from the fishtank through the filter to the grow) would help.
This waste can be squeezed out into a worm farm or rinsed into a bucket (of non chlorinated water, don't kill the bacteria) and watered into the garden.
DWC
Have run an experiment over the past week with a DWC bucket. Despite the undergravel filter there has been silt build up over the years and so I determined to see at what rate. Using a flow of 8 x per hour the 'test bucket' accumulated a teaspoon of silt in a week. This is fairly slow buildup but it competes for oxygen and would be better avoided. For a cleaner, and I believe subsequently better grow, a sponge filter between the pump and the buckets (pumps from the fishtank through the filter to the grow) would help.
This waste can be squeezed out into a worm farm or rinsed into a bucket (of non chlorinated water, don't kill the bacteria) and watered into the garden.
Last edited:
G
Guest
security.... 
Last edited:
G
Guest
Ebb & Flow - Auto Siphons
Ebb & Flow - Auto Siphons
security...
- smoke te evidence!...
Ebb & Flow - Auto Siphons
security...
- smoke te evidence!...
Last edited:
G
Guest
Wee Maintenance Trick
Wee Maintenance Trick
security sigh
Wee Maintenance Trick
security sigh
Last edited:
G
Guest
El Cheapo Ebb & Flow - Back to Front Beds.
El Cheapo Ebb & Flow - Back to Front Beds.
Conventional
Ebb and flow systems use a timer, often float switches, and a pump. The beds are generally filled quickly, and drained slowly. This cycle may be anywhere from several times per hour to once every several hours.
I like these systems but I am cheap and nervous.
Being cheap means I don't want to pay for a larger pump than I have to, or a timer, or float switches, controllers, anything I can avoid.
Being nervous means I want as few working parts as possible so there's less chance of a screw up.
Back To Front
A small continuous flow pump and gravity is employed with auto siphon beds. The beds above the tank fill, the siphon kicks in, the beds drain to the tank, ad infinitum.
I learnt it as ebb and flow, so that's the language I use.
The fill cycle is longer than the drain cycle in this model. I have noticed no detrimental effects to root structure or plant growth with this modification. Though there may be evidence to point out that this not ideal, I am not aware of it (yet).
The flow rate required is low, and so cheap to run.
The one working part, a 24/7 aquarium pump, is in my experience very reliable.
El Cheapo Ebb & Flow - Back to Front Beds.
Conventional
Ebb and flow systems use a timer, often float switches, and a pump. The beds are generally filled quickly, and drained slowly. This cycle may be anywhere from several times per hour to once every several hours.
I like these systems but I am cheap and nervous.
Being cheap means I don't want to pay for a larger pump than I have to, or a timer, or float switches, controllers, anything I can avoid.
Being nervous means I want as few working parts as possible so there's less chance of a screw up.
Back To Front
A small continuous flow pump and gravity is employed with auto siphon beds. The beds above the tank fill, the siphon kicks in, the beds drain to the tank, ad infinitum.
I learnt it as ebb and flow, so that's the language I use.
The fill cycle is longer than the drain cycle in this model. I have noticed no detrimental effects to root structure or plant growth with this modification. Though there may be evidence to point out that this not ideal, I am not aware of it (yet).
The flow rate required is low, and so cheap to run.
The one working part, a 24/7 aquarium pump, is in my experience very reliable.
Last edited:
G
Guest
security 
Last edited:
G
Guest
Ebb & Flow - So let's build one already!
Ebb & Flow - So let's build one already!
In A Nutshell?
Ebb & Flow is an easy system and a hot contender as my favourite.
You use a continuous flow pump and auto siphons. The tank requires no undergravel filter as the bed itself provides adequate filtration. The tank requires no added aeration, as the ebb cycle dumps water frequently enough to replenish oxygen. The auto siphon (and gravity) replaces the need for timers and float switches.
The downside being, the growbed needs to be above the reservoir/tank for this to work.
An easy rule of thumb for Ebb & Flow Aquaponics.
Ratio 10:20:1
10 Gallon Bed:10 Gallon Tank:1 lb fish
Approx 35% of the tanks water will be used in the ebb and flow cycle, hence the low fish stocking to tank ratio. Leaving enough water for the fish at peak flow. The medium in the bed displaces a lot of water, and having the tide line 2-3 inches below the top of the bed gives this approx 35% figure.
Important Trying to force this system to peak before it is cycled can damage your fish. Follow the guidelines as depicted in cycling the system up in post #10 page 1 of this thread.
Stocking high before a system is cycled can damage your fish, or even kill them. You need enough bacteria to deal with the waste. So you let things grow as they grow. Nurture that nature!
So let's build one already!
1. Get a container for a bed. Foodsafe plastic. 12 inches preferred depth. From 8 will work.
2. Mount the bed so the base is above the top water level of your tank/reservoir. Make the bed mounting strong. Filled with gravel and water the bed is heavy. On top of tank/res is fine. Remember you will want some access to the fish and the pump etc.
3. Choose which auto siphon you want and make one. Remember the loop is messier but it's also cheaper and easier to make. The pipe auto-siphon is virtually clog proof. The modified loop siphon I made (easy maintenance) is only 2 bucks more than the straight loop which can be problematic.
4. Put in the standpipe then (washed) medium. Washing medium is a pain in the butt, persevere, you only have to do it once.
5. Install tank and pump, 3/4 fill tank, turn pump on with flow going into growbed.
6. Watch siphon. If pump is pumping too fast the siphon will engage (start to empty) but not burp (stop emptying with an air bubble). Instead it keeps flowing out at the rate of the pump when the bed is drained. Less flow will result in the siphon stopping.
7. Add a flow rate valve, and if you need to throttle it back more than 20%, a T just above the pump with another flow rate valve on the T. Give your siphon enough flow to work and the rest for tank circulation.
8. Get a towel (that hasn't been sprayed with any softener or scent) and tie it so the siphon dumps through it into the tank. Trap silt in this towel for 48 hours. Remove.
9. Cycle system up as depicted in post #10 of this thread.
Ebb & Flow - So let's build one already!
In A Nutshell?
Ebb & Flow is an easy system and a hot contender as my favourite.
You use a continuous flow pump and auto siphons. The tank requires no undergravel filter as the bed itself provides adequate filtration. The tank requires no added aeration, as the ebb cycle dumps water frequently enough to replenish oxygen. The auto siphon (and gravity) replaces the need for timers and float switches.
The downside being, the growbed needs to be above the reservoir/tank for this to work.
An easy rule of thumb for Ebb & Flow Aquaponics.
Ratio 10:20:1
10 Gallon Bed:10 Gallon Tank:1 lb fish
Approx 35% of the tanks water will be used in the ebb and flow cycle, hence the low fish stocking to tank ratio. Leaving enough water for the fish at peak flow. The medium in the bed displaces a lot of water, and having the tide line 2-3 inches below the top of the bed gives this approx 35% figure.
Important Trying to force this system to peak before it is cycled can damage your fish. Follow the guidelines as depicted in cycling the system up in post #10 page 1 of this thread.
Stocking high before a system is cycled can damage your fish, or even kill them. You need enough bacteria to deal with the waste. So you let things grow as they grow. Nurture that nature!
So let's build one already!
1. Get a container for a bed. Foodsafe plastic. 12 inches preferred depth. From 8 will work.
2. Mount the bed so the base is above the top water level of your tank/reservoir. Make the bed mounting strong. Filled with gravel and water the bed is heavy. On top of tank/res is fine. Remember you will want some access to the fish and the pump etc.
3. Choose which auto siphon you want and make one. Remember the loop is messier but it's also cheaper and easier to make. The pipe auto-siphon is virtually clog proof. The modified loop siphon I made (easy maintenance) is only 2 bucks more than the straight loop which can be problematic.
4. Put in the standpipe then (washed) medium. Washing medium is a pain in the butt, persevere, you only have to do it once.
5. Install tank and pump, 3/4 fill tank, turn pump on with flow going into growbed.
6. Watch siphon. If pump is pumping too fast the siphon will engage (start to empty) but not burp (stop emptying with an air bubble). Instead it keeps flowing out at the rate of the pump when the bed is drained. Less flow will result in the siphon stopping.
7. Add a flow rate valve, and if you need to throttle it back more than 20%, a T just above the pump with another flow rate valve on the T. Give your siphon enough flow to work and the rest for tank circulation.
8. Get a towel (that hasn't been sprayed with any softener or scent) and tie it so the siphon dumps through it into the tank. Trap silt in this towel for 48 hours. Remove.
9. Cycle system up as depicted in post #10 of this thread.
Last edited:
G
Guest
Sweet so Sweet
Sweet so Sweet
I love to provide my own produce and when tomatoes are $9.00 a kilo in the 2nd month of spring and you go out to see nearly 200 on the plant in the greenhouse...
Sweet...
Sweet so Sweet
I love to provide my own produce and when tomatoes are $9.00 a kilo in the 2nd month of spring and you go out to see nearly 200 on the plant in the greenhouse...
Sweet...
Last edited:
G
Guest
wow
wow
Bongsong ur the man I cant believe that I missed this thread. I'm gonna have t o try this next yr outside.I am buiding a pond outside and what a good way to recycle heheheheh Now i gotta start planning for spring hehehehe ty for documenting bongsong. 
wow
Bongsong ur the man I cant believe that I missed this thread. I'm gonna have t o try this next yr outside.I am buiding a pond outside and what a good way to recycle heheheheh
Now i gotta start planning for spring hehehehe ty for documenting bongsong.
G
Guest
There are many people with Aquaponic systems outdoors so I don't see a problem. Climate and laws regarding fish will determine a lot of how to go about it.
From enclosed
to semi enclosed (just a roof, or shade cloth type surround)
to out in the open.
Why'd I mention fish law? Well, you might be able to grow your own food fish that are ideal for these type systems. Like Tilapia.
With a pond, a slanted bottom to one central point, and then drainage, or at least pump from that lowest point, this makes things a lot simpler in keeping the water clean for your fish and plants. It's possible to run a big system on one pump only. This will supply aeration and flow. For all I know you're a pond contractor...
From enclosed
to semi enclosed (just a roof, or shade cloth type surround)
to out in the open.
Why'd I mention fish law? Well, you might be able to grow your own food fish that are ideal for these type systems. Like Tilapia.
With a pond, a slanted bottom to one central point, and then drainage, or at least pump from that lowest point, this makes things a lot simpler in keeping the water clean for your fish and plants. It's possible to run a big system on one pump only. This will supply aeration and flow. For all I know you're a pond contractor...
Last edited:
G
Guest
There is no rat race on the bench seat watching the fish. No rat race, no politics, no demands for time or energy.
A man can love his work without getting paid for it. Can carve a space for himself in life that makes so many other ingredients bearable. He can use this space to grow from, to go from, or just to be, and sit in tranquility.
It's warm on the days when these old bones are cold, in my garden. It's bright when it's cloudy, where dreamtime has come.
good smoke
A man can love his work without getting paid for it. Can carve a space for himself in life that makes so many other ingredients bearable. He can use this space to grow from, to go from, or just to be, and sit in tranquility.
It's warm on the days when these old bones are cold, in my garden. It's bright when it's cloudy, where dreamtime has come.
good smoke
Last edited:
G
Guest
Got me thinking
Got me thinking
U sure are the man I was going to build a pond in backyard now I have to make sure there is room for a small garden next to it.Well I have all winter to get it ready for spring.I cant wait to clip a couple buds hopefully it will be a good christmas trying to be patient as theygrow sucks. U sure have it all coverd bongsong. 
Got me thinking
U sure are the man I was going to build a pond in backyard now I have to make sure there is room for a small garden next to it.Well I have all winter to get it ready for spring.I cant wait to clip a couple buds hopefully it will be a good christmas trying to be patient as theygrow sucks.
U sure have it all coverd bongsong.
G
Guest
I'm trying Vinny.
There is a lot in this, you could study for life, but the basics are actually easy, they don't need to be hard. As I've said in an analogy beforehand...
"I can drive a car but I'm not a mechanic. You can run an aqua system without being a marine biologist."
Good to see you're in Cali. You can have Tilapia, they're tough, they breed easy, they grow fast, and they taste great. Basically, once the weight of fish is plate size in system you eat em! YUM!
Highly recommended fish.
There is a lot in this, you could study for life, but the basics are actually easy, they don't need to be hard. As I've said in an analogy beforehand...
"I can drive a car but I'm not a mechanic. You can run an aqua system without being a marine biologist."
Good to see you're in Cali. You can have Tilapia, they're tough, they breed easy, they grow fast, and they taste great. Basically, once the weight of fish is plate size in system you eat em! YUM!
Highly recommended fish.
Last edited:
G
Guest
Ponds.
Ponds.
Aquaponic ponds are merely ponds hooked up to a hydro system.
You could run DWC, E&F, continuous flow waterfall planted at the sides...
The differences with outdoor Aquaponics are environmental. Fish & plant species should be local so they cope with local conditions. Local knowledge is invaluable on this side of things. Pond location should counter in things like deciduous leaf fall and animal interference. It is very important to consider children in the area and their access to the site. Extreme seasonal changes & cold may make Aquaponics untenable outdoors in your location. A location closer to the Equator is ideal but not essential.
As the bacteria dislike the cold, so do many plants. To counter this you can plant spinach and other winter cropping vegetables to replace summer crops as they come out. Feed the fish less as the temperature drops, if they stop feeding, don't feed them till the water temperature rises again. They are made to function like this, the bacteria aren't working either, and if the fish kept feeding, it'd all turn, literally, to shit.
A pond cover will help in colder climates. Insulation of plumbing, beds, and the pond itself can be considered.
In warmer climates you can look at shadecloth over the beds and pond, white insulated system parts, and evaporative cooling using water flow.
Both solar and wind power may be utilised in outdoor design making systems more efficient and heating and cooling issues considerably lessened.
Sound hard? Not at all. Get a pond, pump the water through an aquaponic system and it will be cleaner and the fish will be happier, gauranteed.
It is that easy. If you however, want RESULTS!, the above details should be considered carefully before spending money and time.
Ponds.
Aquaponic ponds are merely ponds hooked up to a hydro system.
You could run DWC, E&F, continuous flow waterfall planted at the sides...
The differences with outdoor Aquaponics are environmental. Fish & plant species should be local so they cope with local conditions. Local knowledge is invaluable on this side of things. Pond location should counter in things like deciduous leaf fall and animal interference. It is very important to consider children in the area and their access to the site. Extreme seasonal changes & cold may make Aquaponics untenable outdoors in your location. A location closer to the Equator is ideal but not essential.
As the bacteria dislike the cold, so do many plants. To counter this you can plant spinach and other winter cropping vegetables to replace summer crops as they come out. Feed the fish less as the temperature drops, if they stop feeding, don't feed them till the water temperature rises again. They are made to function like this, the bacteria aren't working either, and if the fish kept feeding, it'd all turn, literally, to shit.
A pond cover will help in colder climates. Insulation of plumbing, beds, and the pond itself can be considered.
In warmer climates you can look at shadecloth over the beds and pond, white insulated system parts, and evaporative cooling using water flow.
Both solar and wind power may be utilised in outdoor design making systems more efficient and heating and cooling issues considerably lessened.
Sound hard? Not at all. Get a pond, pump the water through an aquaponic system and it will be cleaner and the fish will be happier, gauranteed.
It is that easy. If you however, want RESULTS!, the above details should be considered carefully before spending money and time.
G
Guest
Though a new learning curve for me, companion planting ties in with Aquaponics well. The ecosystem system likes diversity and adding various species of plants known to enhance their neighbours makes a lot of sense to me.
Plants that increase oils, plants that aid sickly plants, plants that ward off insects or attract insects... The idea being that the environment does it's own housekeeping, and I am the humble observer and grateful harvester.
Plants that increase oils, plants that aid sickly plants, plants that ward off insects or attract insects... The idea being that the environment does it's own housekeeping, and I am the humble observer and grateful harvester.
Last edited:
