BYAP Trials

earthbound

I started a discussion a while back about us setting up some trial systems to experiment with different aspects of aquaponics so that we see if there are ways try and improve the kit systems we sell. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8264

Well we've now started, three systems have been set up with the same mix of seedlings in each bed and 20 silver perch fingerling in each system.

System 1 has an Affnan siphon, well it will in a very short while, the flow was too high to get the siphon working properly so we are changing the 40mm drain fitting to a 50mm drain fitting, and as such larger internal pipework on the siphon, hopefully this will work well with the 3000L/hour pump.

System 2 has been set up with a standpipe, but it's running constantly flooded with the pump on all the time and flood level is about 1-2 inches below the surface of the clay.

System 3 has a standpipe and timer and is running as per our standard systems with a 15m on 45 minute off cycle.

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We've planted quite a mix of plants in the beds, the systems are out in a rather harsh sunny area. From front to back we have thyme, parsley, oregano, dill, chili, chives, celery, capsicum, spring onion, rainbow chard, and lettuce.

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We will be recording feed rates and growth rates over time, we might also look at recording a few other aspects like power consumption.

I'll add further information and photos to this thread as time goes on and we start getting some growth and results.

freoboy

nice tidy little experiment EB

when you planted out did you put the same plants in each GB? and spread seedlings from each punnet among GB's to mitigate against dodgy plants??

what fish are you stocking it with?? and are you adding the same additives to each system??

i think the biggest difference (and most interesting) will be between contanly flooded and the standpipe F&D, i.e. the most and least water turnover . .
will you test water to see if there is any difference in water filtration capacity / DO levels??

sorr4y for all the questions :oops:

experiments just get me all tingly inside :thumbright:

Burnsy

Joel, this is an exciting trial, especially the constant flooding as it will be great to see if some plants do better in this than flood and drain. Power consumption would also be another interesting one if you could actually put a meter on each system to calculate real usage.

Out of interest, how well do you wash the soil from seedings in the system? I use to be real pedantic about it but now just do a quick dunk in water which usually removes about half the soil and then pplant them out. I have found that they establish far quicker with this method and there is no noticable residual potting mix apparent when they are finally removed from the system (worms appear to be cleaning it all out pretty well).

chillidude

freoboy wrote:

what fish are you stocking it with??

earthbound wrote:

Well we've now started, three systems have been set up with the same mix of seedlings in each bed and 20 silver perch fingerling in each system.

freoboy

chillidude wrote:

freoboy wrote:

what fish are you stocking it with??

earthbound wrote:

Well we've now started, three systems have been set up with the same mix of seedlings in each bed and 20 silver perch fingerling in each system.

like i said . .experiment + freoboy = all tingly and excited :lol:

chillidude

earthbound

Yeah silvers ranging from 2 inches up to about 4 inches in each tank. Each system will have it's own labeled feed bucket, so we'll just feed them as much as they want to eat in 5 minutes or so, as people might normally feed their fish. Then weigh the feed buckets each week to see what each system is consuming...

We'll probably do some DO testing but I think it will be minimal, we tested all of our systems here recently and levels were fairly consistently up at around 9 ppm, so no problems..

The main idea is not to have this as a highly scientific experiment, but rather as a way of finding the best method for simple home systems for those that have little to no experience. must robust, most fool proof, and most productive...

But then if the most productive system is not very robust and not foolproof, then it's going to end up with a poor over all score... Dunno if that makes a lot of sense... As you can see, we are making this up as we go along...

Jamey

Will Be awesome to see the outcome of the CF Bed,

Im running my Tomatoes in a 65L Tub Running CF Atm they seem to like it...

:thumbleft:

Nice work Joel

OB1

You been busy Joel... those FT net covers look nifty - do they clip over or stretch over the FT?

earthbound

Yeah, doesn't stop around here..... :geek:

The nets are cable tied onto a black trickle pipe ring, then clipped onto the tank using little bits of PVC pipe cut open.

chainsaw

Good one Joel, Will keep my eye on this thread.

Dufflight

Are you going to keep a track of the top up water.

earthbound

Wouldn;t mind doing top up water but the only water meters I've seen cost about $600, and other methods involve a fair bit more time. Might have another look for some cheaper water meters.

DecalsbyJT

Hey

if you can find something like this over there, I have one and I can keep track of how much water I use, paid 19.95 us

http://cgi.ebay.com/Singer-Brass-Water- ... 3821wt_905

jT

Dufflight

earthbound wrote:

Wouldn;t mind doing top up water but the only water meters I've seen cost about $600, and other methods involve a fair bit more time. Might have another look for some cheaper water meters.

Or just use a bucket. Only have to keep a record while the plants are the same size.

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BYAP Trials

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Backyard Aquaponics A place to discuss aquaponics

BYAP Trials

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Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics