Backyard Aquaponics
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More of my build picture back log.

Here is how I made my IBC growbed liner and frame into one piece, and helped support the bottom, while still keeping the nice smooth frame rim at the top.

I had the two original removable IBC top rails lying around, so thought I could attach them to the other (cut) side of the frame.



I used my vice to flatten the tubes on the end at appropriate places and drilled holes so that it looked like the original fixing holes on the the other side. I then used the original fixing brackets and screws to attach the top rails to the nex fixing points. The result is a pretty solid growbed that you can pick up in one piece (note, you still need extra support under it to stop saging).

Woot yeah! Think trout weather might have finally hit sydney. Three days with below 20 degree tank temps, as low as 17 this arvo. Max air temp forecast for next week is 26 degrees.

Test levels today. Amm 0-0.25, rites 0, rates 20-40, ph 8.0.

Bit concerned about ph in prep for trout arrival. Might have to take some action to reduce it. Anyone have advice on their favorite/best method? I've got 6 gold fish in the system at the moment, it would be nice not to kill them with a sudden ph swing. Putting them in my smaller system would result in a similar swing as it is probably still low. Will check it tomorrow.

Ive got more drift wood lying around, I'll probably throw that in the sump as a long term solution to keeping ph down, but does anyone think I should try and bring ph closer to 7.4-7.6 before intriducing new trout?

Okay I might have a problem.

It rained HEAVY here yesterday, and everytime it rains like this, all the rain tanks on the block overflow and flood everybodies backyards. I'm concered that ground water is not clearing fast enough around my sump barrels, and that it is washing into one of my barrels. Goodness knows whats getting wash in there...especially considering the system is next to a treat pine fence (though 3 year old now). There was certainly A LOT more water in my sump than the day before....but it did rain realy hard.

My water is browner (not murckier though) than usual, but i cant be sure if it is due to:
1) Ground water intrusion
2) The three chunks on drift wood I put in there on Monday 16th
3) Extra seediments washed out of the top layers of my scoria due to high rain volume

I'll try to dig some of the clay that I hid under the growbeds away to allow better run off. It is there because i didn't have anywhere else to put it, and to try stop my barrel holes filling with water and floating the barrels....now I might have opposite problem

I also found one of my largest and (usually) most lively Goldfish floating on the surface. I'm hoping he died from something totally unrelated...or simply too much rain (as other have report with fish some times).

Checked my water level, all normal; rates 20-40, rites 0, amm 0-0.25...still can't tell if my Ammonia reading is closer to zero or 0.25....I hate how close the colours are on the chart.

Good news is that my Ph seems to be moving down to 7.8. Once again...not sure if this is due to addition of driftwood and their tanins, or from a masive influx of lower Ph rain water.

Guess I'll find out this arvo if other fish have died whether any "invisible" nasties have got into my water.

Woot yeah!

25 trout in my tank. Thanks Rupe.

Both Rupe and I are surprised by the size. 50-70mm were ordered, but most are much bigger. Some of the biggest would have to be 100-120mm.

4 in small system, 21 in large system. I won't feed them for 24hrs or more. Will check ammonia tomorrow arvo and get some pics also.

Ammonia and nitrites all good after 24hrs of the new fish. Was too dark to feed by the time I tested. Chuck a few pellets in, but no action. Will have to wait till tomorrow arvo.

Awesome stuff mate.

Could you pave around the system and have a drain to a soakwell to help remove some of the water from around your system?

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Good to see some patience Dr
Very proud.

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Hi mate, im curious about how you used the lid supports for the upturned gb?
Im thinking the same. So where was it sagging? are the lid tubes not strong enough? Or was it just that u needed more to get better coverage,ie closer to the sides. Ive got four sitting around.

Cheers bud

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Check out my build thread here
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Give them a feed in the morning Luke... and test your ammonia before the evening feed...

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Nah can't.

Pitch balck when I leave in the morning. I'm gonna have to measure how much i feed them in one go and leave portions for someone to throw in during the day to get 2 feeds per day in during winter.

I have the day off on thursday so will do it then. Will feed sparingly until then.

Yeah rsevs,


I should have paved, but was trying to minimse cost.

I have 100 or 90mm aggy pipe running behind them along the fence, but it does not clear the water fast enough.

I think the main prob is that I dumped all the left over clay underneath the GBs and it has restricted the run off. The barrel furthest up the hill is also too far into the ground. You only need 70mm of water build up and its flowing in there.

I have now removed alot of the glay pipe under the beds and this should provide enough run off...I will keep adjusting till its all safe.

THE POINT....Leave 20cm or more between the top of your tanks and ground level!

The lid tubes/top bars are strong enough, you just need to get more coverage.

Actually I didn't experience that much saging myself, but mainly saw it happen for other memebers who did a similar thing, but with the 300m cage part turned up the other way.

One example is in page 155 of the IBC of Aquaponics under Siphonphobia's system. A solution is on page 91.

There was another member who had the center where the screwcap is, sag down in a conical shape...this happens slightly with mine. I also noticed some of my unsupported corners sinking about 1-2cm lower than the other corners, so i wedged some support under them. I'll try to take some close up pics this arvo.

BTW, I did chuck together some distribution pipes and instantly you could see the difference in the low flow areas. I didn't bother going all the way around like you see some people do..I figure this is waste of pipe personally. I just ran the pipes along the edges furthest from the GB drains. Obviously if your drain is dead set in the middle of your GB you need to go all the way around the edge with the ditribution pipe though

No worries, ill check that out. Thanks mate

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_________________
Always Learning
Check out my build thread here
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=12233