Fish pond aquaponic

[minsals]

Hi I am planning to extend my fish pond to an Aquaponic system, I am hoping to have some fresh vege at the end of this year. Attaching the plan I have in my mind.

Any feedbackfor this particular design would be welcome.

[Erich]

looks good

A couple of questions though:

1/ I see you want to lift up to 1.5 metres high and your pump can push 500 litres per hr. You want to turn over your volume at least once an hr (you have 700 litres with GB's) but importantly, can your pump still deliver 500 per hr at a height of 1.5 metres? There should be a graph on the box or sheet telling you what it can deliver at different heights. My 6000 litre an hr only pushes just over 4500 at 1.5 metres

2/ Depending on how much fish you put in, you may want to increase the size of the GB filtration you have.

Any idea on type of fish and how many?

[Yabbies4me]

I share Erich's concern in regards to your pump size. I have a 550 Lph pump in one of my hydroponic systems and it's maximum head is 1.25m, that's where it stops flowing.

I have an Aquapro AP1200 (1200 Lph) pump in the Aquaponics system I've just set up and looking at the manufacturer's specs on the box even that will only flow 550 Lph at 1.5m, but that's a direct vertical lift.

If you plan on running 5m of hose to your grow beds you will lose even more flow due to resistance/friction from the inside wall of the pipe, bends etc, you would be amazed at how much flow you will lose on long runs due to this, even if they are perfectly horizontal.

In a pond I would also suggest using a proper pond pump that can handle solids (sometimes called a dirty water pump). If you use an aquarium type pump with a small sponge filter, you will be forever cleaning it.

I don't know whether they are available where you are, but Aquapro make a good range called Pond Max-Ultra Series, or Pond Max-Professional Series. they can handle up to 8mm solids and they have overload protection.

Alternatively, email Murray and see what he has available.

[rmcpb]

May be better to reverse the flow and simply raise the water the 1.5m to your header tank, let gravity feed the GB and take the outlets of the GB back to your creek for the artistic touch. That way your pump is only lifting the water straight up and not sideways as well.

Worth a thought?

[minsals]

Thanks guys I am overwhelmed with all the assistant I am getting here, Reading all the post here its obvious I would have to upgrade the water pump.

I am happy to buy a bigger one, keeping in mind that I would be expending the setup later sometime if things goes well with current setup.

My question here is would having a powerful waterpump and added pressure may harm the fish.

In addition because its continuos running system, would 15 god fish be able to produce enough nitrogen for the system.

Could you also suggest an ideal size (ltr/hr) for the waterpump.

Once againg Thanks for your assistant

[Erich]

I wouldn't think that 15 gold fish would make "to" much - comparing to trout anyways

Normally, you aim to move the total volume of water "at least" once an hr. In this case, suggest a 1000 liter minimum. However, as you are pumping uphill (anyway you can reduce the height?), you need to check what it can pump at different heights. The 500 you have is "500 at the outlet on the pump". Raise it 10 cm, it all changes

Ideal is something that can pump say 800 (or more) litres at the maximum height you will have (from outlet of pump to highest point)

[Yabbies4me]

When dealing with pumps I like to treat them like outboard motor ratings on a boat ie: if the manufacturer of a boat recommends 70 - 115hp, you wouldn't put a 70 on it, maybe a 90 as minimum, you don't always use the excess power, but it's there if you need it.

It's the same with pumps, in all my hydro systems I use a much larger pump than required and I bypass the extra pressure to a spray bar which circulates and aerates the tank.

I've done the same in my AP system I've just built, a 750 Lph pump would have easily done the job, but I put in a 1200 Lph pump and I bypass the extra pressure/flow, see photo below.

[minsals]

Went home last night and re-checked the pump size, Its actully 1000lt/h and max 1.5m hight, there was no graph advising the reduction in the water pressure on that height so I would be testing the pressure in the hight this weekend.

Been doing lot of reading on Aquaponic and last night got confused again with "Siphone".

My system going to be continuos flow system and my understaning is that I will spray water on top of gravel making sure that every pebble is soaked up and then the water will go down the drain and back to pond.

Do I need to have an Siphone in this operation since its not "flood and drain" system?

[RupertofOZ]

You could just have an overflow standpipe... that sets the level of water in the growbed...

But IMO... nearly everyone that has tried continuous flow... reports better growth after they've switched to "flood & drain"....

P.S ... don't spray your water on the top of the growbed... it'll encourage algae/moss when exposed to sunlight...

[rmcpb]

I had lots of "interesting" times with continuous flow BUT it was great to get my hands dirty the first time. However, I have changed to flood and drain as it is simpiler to maintain after the initial setup and it uses all your media as filtration material as opposed to continuous flow where some media can actually be dry.

Spend a bit of time looking at Affnan's site and read his articles on siphons. Some great work there.