Aquaponics system. Need people to critique my system

[helomech]

I am about to break ground on my aquaponics system. I plan on digging into the ground about 6 feet into a hill side in my front yard (but will build up at least 2 feet of gravel) so about 4 feet below ground. Going to build cinder block retaining walls, and have a gravel floor for drainage. Fish tank is going to be inside of the structure. The top is going to be made out of hog panels, to support any vines, and to be a support for the cover (mesh in summer, and platic in winter). Going to use a wind turbine, and solar panels for power to the pumps, and some lighting (probably LED). The structure will be either 10 or 14 feet wide and 30 feet long, and will have a north south orientation. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated. Here are some quick images of what I am planning. will be making my own grow beds out of wood with a platic liner. The system will be the drain and fill type with the pumps running all the time, using bell siphons to empty.

Please excuse my sorry images.

This is a image looking from the side.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/plan2-1.png

One from above.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/plan1-1.png

[bacpacker]

Looks like a good project Helo. The wife and I have discussed hydroponics and aquaponics for a couple if years now. I'm still not sure what route we'll end up going, probably a hydro set up in our basement to start. But long term I can see a aqua system being a great thing to have.

Have you worked on one of these before? Where have you been researching to get your info at? Keep the details coming. I'm subscribing to this thread to keep up with where you go with it.

[helomech]

Never even seen one in person before. Just reading every link I can on the subject, and coming up with ideas as I go along. I never seen one in the ground before, that is just something I came up with. And using the hog panels as the roof is something I came up with. It is going to allow cucumbers and such a place to grow, and make picking them very easy since they will hang straight down. I am going to post some pics as I progress.

[bacpacker]

Send wolfracer a pm. I know he has been running a sucsessful operation for 1-2 years. He'd be the one to pick his brains.

[helomech]

Caught him on another site.

[bacpacker]

He has the most extensive aqua system I've read about. I'd say he'll do you right.

[helomech]

He has the most extensive aqua system I've read about. I'd say he'll do you right.

Yeah, he said I was on the right track. Just that I needed twice as my grow beds as fish tank. I am planning on a 1500 gallon fish tank, so that would mean 3000 gallons of grow beds.

[helomech]

Made up some slightly different plans. Tractor won't start, so they are coming to pick it up tomorrow for warranty work. So won't get started for a bit longer. Anyways here are my plans.

This is a side view.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/plan3.png

This is a change I am thinking of. During the summer I figure the fish will be eating more and more active so more grow beds will be necessary than in the winter time. So I am going to add nine 55 gallon drums cut in half, so nine 25 gallon tanks on each side. They will not be in the structure, but will be right next to it. I can grow corn and such in it, and turn it off in the winter. Still kicking this idea around. With the drums on the outside and the center bed 26 feet long I would have almost 2170 gallons of grow beds.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/plan5-1.png

For the winter time, when the fish are less active I am hoping the inside grow beds are enough. They total 1495 gallons if I make the center bed 20 feet long, and 1675 gallons if I make the center bed 26 feet long.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/plan4.png

[bacpacker]

Sounds good Helo. How deep is the North end going to be? How about the sides? I assume the south end will come out at grade? I'm curious if your using the earth for heat, or just a windblock?

[helomech]

Sounds good Helo. How deep is the North end going to be? How about the sides? I assume the south end will come out at grade? I'm curious if your using the earth for heat, or just a windblock?

The north side will be 8 feet below ground level at the bottom of the fish tank. The entire green house (for lack of better words) will be 4 foot below ground level, except the south end, it will be at ground level. I am going to fill the sides in all the way. Kind of using the earth for both. The north side will be compeletly blocked from the wind, the hill is higher near my house than it is at the site, and my house is about 50 yards north of where I am going to build it. I figure the fish tank being at it's highest point 4 feet below ground it will keep the water at a very constant temp, and in the winter the warmth from the fish tank will help to warm the green house, since in winter it will be covered up.

[helomech]

Well I broke ground on my aquaponics system. Still got lots of digging left to do, before I can even start on building anything. This project is going to take a while. Hoping to have it finished before summer.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_1722.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_1723.jpg

[helomech]

About 3 foot deep now, 5 more feet to go.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1726-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1725.jpg

[izzyscout21]

That's a heck of a project. Looks like you are well underway. Keep us posted, I for one, am especially intrigued.

[helomech]

Will do thanks. I am close to being at the right depth for most of it, except for the fish tank, got a long ways to go to get to the 9 feet I am wanting.

[bacpacker]

Nice work Helo. How long have you been digging? Are you using the tater plow to loosen the soil before you remove it? What model Kubota are you using?

I've dug out some area's before, driveways, building sites, etc using a tractor and grader blade. It's hard work for sure.It's looking good.

[helomech]

Nice work Helo. How long have you been digging? Are you using the tater plow to loosen the soil before you remove it? What model Kubota are you using?

I've dug out some area's before, driveways, building sites, etc using a tractor and grader blade. It's hard work for sure.It's looking good.


Thanks, dug about 3 hours so far. Yes I am using the middle buster to break up the soil to make it easier on the tractor. The tractor will do it without busting it up first, but it is much harder on the front end loader. The tractor is a Kubota MX5100 50 hp hydrostatic 4wd. This iron ore is a pain to dig in, regular dirt and I would be done by now.

Between taking care of my wife after her surgery, trying to fit in some deer hunting and bringing my Great Dane to get bred it does not leave my time to dig this week.

[helomech]

Didn't get to work to much today. Hunted this morning and this afternoon, and brought my dog to get bred. So that only left me a little while to dig. Had to make a cut in the hill I was not expecting. The hill does not drop off fast enought, so I had to cut some drainage. Still got about a foot left for the main part and then go another 4.5 feet deep for a 8'X8' section. Anyways here are today's pics.

I took this pic standing in the drainage cut I made.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_1731.jpg

And this pic is from the top of the dirt pile. BTW this is my front yard.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/home/IMG_1733.jpg

[bacpacker]

Let's see now, you waited until your wife's surgery to start tearing up the front yard. Hmmmmm! Just messing with you. :)

Hopefully the wife is getting along well. Sorry to hear she's been going thru that. We'll be prayin for her and you.

Looks like your making good progress with the dig.

[helomech]

Thanks, have to do something. If I sit inside, I will go crazy. At least I am close by this way.

[helomech]

Another update. Got down to the 4 foot depth today. Got it pretty close to level, going to put some sand in to level everything out. But first I have to dig another 4 foot deep hole for the fish tank, at least this one is only 8'X8", should not take very long.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1745.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1746.jpg

[The Stig]

Wow...awesome...thanks for sharing it with us. Look forward to seeing more.

[bacpacker]

Your about to lose your tractor! Seriously it looks good. Nice progress.

[helomech]

Thanks guys. Still got a long ways to go, but at least I am making progress. After I get the hole dug for the fish tank, then I am going to make my forms for the concrete footings and the bottom of the fish tank. Then time for the concrete truck.

[helomech]

Another update. Started on the fish tank today. It is going to be a PITA to dig this. Got down to almost 2 feet so far, and have to go to 4 feet. Anyways here are a few pics.

Standing on the hill, looking into my front yard. Looking south.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1766.jpg

Looking toward my house, to the north.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1765.jpg

[bacpacker]

Nice work Helo! IMO I think your making very good progress. Digging a hole that deep without using a dozer or bucket is difficult at best if your not digging sand.

[helomech]

Thanks bacpacker. It is getting easier the deeper I go. The soil is better to work with, the top soil has lots of rocks in it. I priced concrete and cinder blocks today, concrete looks like the cheaper route. So going to build some wooden forms and have concrete poured in. Should cost about a grand in concrete. Going to have to do it in 2 pours. Have to pour the bottom of the fish tank first, then will have to get the truck to come back and pour the rest.

[helomech]

Here is what it looked like when I finished up for the day. When I started this morning there was no hole at all for the fish tank.

My son and our great dane.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1780.jpg

My tractor is disappearing.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1775.jpg

[bacpacker]

Good pics! That's not a bad deal for the concrete, I don't think. How much are you estimating it'll take?

[helomech]

Good pics! That's not a bad deal for the concrete, I don't think. How much are you estimating it'll take?


Total cost? I have no clue, but at least 2500, probably more. After the concrete I have to seal the fish tank, then build the grow beds, buy river rocks, then buy hog panels to go over the top, then get some green house plastic to cover then system. Then I am going to put solar and wind generator for power, also need the pumps, piping, and fish. I am sure I am leaving something out.

[bacpacker]

I wondered how much concrete you needed.

That's a large project, but very worthwhile to have on hand.

[helomech]

I think my wife figured 10 cubic yards.

[helomech]

Well I think I am done digging. I am down to 4 feet deep on my fish tank. Now I have to drive for 45 minutes one way to get some lumber for the form.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1782.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1781.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1791.jpg

[bacpacker]

Nice hole there Helo. Now the work really gets going.

[helomech]

Well now the expensive part begins. Need to pour a slab 4" thick and at least 9'X9' for the bottom of the fish tank. Then after that sets up I can set up to make my big pour.

[helomech]

Well had a change of plans. Going to use a plastic 1550 gallon tank for the fish tank. It will be cheaper and a lot easier than concrete or cinder blocks. I drew this up using SketchUp. The structure is going to be underground, with the top of the concrete at ground level. So the bottom of the fish tank is going to be about 10 feet below ground. It is going to be 40 feet long by 14 feet wide. This will give me two 40'X2' grow beds and one 30'X4' grow bed. It will give me about 3 feet between everything to get a wheel barrow around in it. Should be picking up the fish tank in less than 2 weeks, need to recover funds from Christmas.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1849.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1850.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1851.jpg

[helomech]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1852.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1853.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1855.jpg

[bacpacker]

Very nice! You can grow a bunch of food in there. Plus the fish.

Where did you get Scetch up at? It looks to be useful

[helomech]

Thanks, hoping to grow more than we need to eat and feed the animals. Actually hoping ot have enough to sell at the farmers market.


I just typed SketchUp in a google search. I think it is made by google.

[bacpacker]

Good thoughts on going after the Farmers Markets. I'm betting the fish will go over well.

[helomech]

I think the fish will be ours to eat. I also get a lot of fresh fish from work. Just the veggies and things will go to the market. With selling chicks, eggs, rabbit meat, and veggies I am hoping we not only feed ourselves, but pay for any feed we need.

[helomech]

I was hoping to have the fish tank in the ground by now, but over 4 inches of rain has put me behind schedule, and now the tractor is stuck in the hole. Hoping to pull it out this morning, if my truck won't do it, than I need to call in some favors.

This pic was after I was working at it for a while. The water was almost all the way up to the ledge that is 4 feet below ground level.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1881.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1887.jpg

[realist]

Hay Helo obviously you have started and have plans in place. You might want to contact the University of California at Davis. They have an extensive aquaponics program. The go out and assist people in our state in getting started. My sister was going to get into it years ago and they were more than helpful. I would think they would send you a pile of material that might be helpful. Let me know if they don't send it out of state and I will get it for you. You still have a huge amount of work ahead of you, good luck and be safe.

[helomech]

Thanks going to try to contact them. Been doing lots of research on line, and joined the forum at backyard aquaponics.

Got the tractor out the hole, and picked up the fish tank. Need to get the hole dry and then level the bottom with sand so I can place the tank and backfill the hole.

[helomech]

Here is the tank, 1550 gallons.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1896.jpg

And here are some of the IBC's that will eventually be the sump for my system, but for now is going to be a temporary grow bed.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1898.jpg

[realist]

FYI the people at Davis are trying to get people to do it for profit. So if you consider it they might be a good source for marketing them. If I had the right piece of property then I would do it.

[helomech]

We are going to do it and sell the excess at the farmers market.

[helomech]

Made a little progress today.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1900.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1904.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1907.jpg

[helomech]

Need to get the rest of the hole level with the sides that are 4 foot below ground. Then I will mount up some IBC's and get the water flowing through them before I do anything else. After that will get started on cement, or cinder blocks for the sides. Still not sure exactly what I will do. Oh and we threw a few fish in just because my pond is full of little one's that need to be killed. Also threw in a bunch of minnows and grass shrimp. Going to get the hole filled in and leveled off tomorrow.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1910.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1911.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1912.jpg

[bacpacker]

Looks good Helo. Nice fish as well.

[helomech]

Thanks man, still a LOOOOOONG ways to go.

[bacpacker]

Yeah but your making really good progress. It will be well worth the work before long.

[helomech]

Thanks, going to rig up two small grow beds just so the system can run and the water does not turn green. Going to hopefully have that running by Tuesday.

[helomech]

Well reached my goal today. Got the tank completely buried and everything smoothed out. Got to make sure that it drains, so it doesn't fill with water.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/IMG_1920.jpg

[bacpacker]

Looks good Helo. Your getting a bunch done quickly. Wish my projects went that quick. :)

[helomech]

That is the good thing about my job, lots of time off. I think this year I worked 140 days.

[helomech]

Got more done today. Set up 2 temporary grow beds, got everything plumbed up and getting river rocks to put in tomorrow. Should be able to plant either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Here is the siphon, it allows the bed to fill all the way up, and then drain all the way down.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1929.jpg

The siphon with the cover on.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1928.jpg

Got great flow.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1930.jpg

[helomech]

And here they are set up in their temporary position. This is just so that I can keep my water in clean condition, while I wait for tax returns to put in all 700 cinder blocks.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1931.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1932.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1935.jpg

[helomech]

Wow, cleaning rocks sucks. I don't know how else to say it. If someone knows a better way to wash rocks, I am all ears. I tried to search with not much luck.

Anyways got some slag rock for the bottom, and river rocks for the top half. Got one bed almost ready to plant, and will do my best to get both of them ready to plant tomorrow. Wife bought some seeds to plant in them.

My two boys working. They where not happy.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1939.jpg

Slag rock

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1940.jpg

And the one that is almost done.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1942.jpg

[helomech]

Wife sent me these pics this morning 5 days after putting the seeds down, I got some growth.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo8.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo7.jpg

[bacpacker]

NICE! Looks like a good start to me.

[helomech]

I thought so, considering it is a temoprary grow bed, and we have very few fish in the tank.

[Evolver]

Wow, cleaning rocks sucks. I don't know how else to say it. If someone knows a better way to wash rocks, I am all ears. I tried to search with not much luck.

Anyways got some slag rock for the bottom, and river rocks for the top half. Got one bed almost ready to plant, and will do my best to get both of them ready to plant tomorrow. Wife bought some seeds to plant in them.

My two boys working. They where not happy.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1939.jpg

Slag rock

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1940.jpg

And the one that is almost done.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/IMG_1942.jpg

Get some wire mesh (garden cloth) of the size of the gravel that you want like 1/4'' or so, fill your loader bucket 1/2 way with unwashed gravel cover with the mesh using C clamp to hold mesh, add some water, shake bucket, raise and tip bucket just enough to let the fine's run off then finish with sprayed water. Your going to need allot of water.
Gravel yards use different sizes of screens and gallons and gallons of reused water for "washed" gravel.

[The Stig]

This thread is awesome. We love to see someone actually rolling up their sleeves and tackling a project (even better when they are kind enough to share it with us!).

Good stuff.

[helomech]

Thanks Stig, it adds to the fun of the project to share with others. Also would be great if it got others to try something similar even if on a smaller scale.

[helomech]

Here is a little video I shot.


http://youtu.be/CmeLS29mYWI

[izzyscout21]

coming along nicely. thanks for the update

[helomech]

Thanks Izzy. Not much more is going to get done for a little while. Redoing the outside of our house starting today, replacing all doors, windows, siding, and insulation, and doing some roof work, so that is going to keep me busy for the next couple weeks. Doing it all myself. Also need to wait for tax returns before I do any more on the aquaponics.

[bacpacker]

The system looks good Helo. Certainly working well. Good luck with the remodel.

[helomech]

Thanks, waiting on Lowes to deliver it all. Should be here any second now.

[Optimist]

You've gone a long ways on something that will generate a lot of food in a small area. The kid brother and I are going the Murray Hallum route, with the IBC totes for fish tanks (I'll be running 6 250-gallon totes for the fish and 3 more for sumps for water storage) and split-barrel raised grow beds. We're already running pastured poultry (12 laying hens and 150 broilers) and goats. We're keeping ours mobile, though, because one never knows what evil lurks in the hearts of covetous county government....

[helomech]

I think it is doing pretty good considering I have very few fish in the system and that these are only 2 small temporary grow beds. But here are some pics.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo2.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo1.jpg

And my first ever harvest, the peas are not ready yet, but they are flowering. I did not get a pic of the 7 top turnips we harvested, but here is a pic of the radish, belle and icicle.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/431992_1883386180621_1720369983_900029_802524511_n .jpg

[Evolver]

Looks great!!! Your plants look nice and healthy and green.

[TroubleShooter]

Just a thought .......I am looking at your temp grow beds and wondering why they are so deep.....Some designs I have seen are only using about 4-5" of depth for media to grow plants. I was researching some today looking for a cheap way of building grow beds, I ran across an idea of building the beds from lumber and lining them with PondLiners. I posted a link to a pond site which also sells pumps.


BestNest.com: Firestone EPDM PondGard Pond Liner, 10' Wide (http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/pond_liner_10.asp)

[bacpacker]

Pics look good Helo! I love radishes and those 2 are in my top 3 favorite varities

[helomech]

Just a thought .......I am looking at your temp grow beds and wondering why they are so deep.....Some designs I have seen are only using about 4-5" of depth for media to grow plants. I was researching some today looking for a cheap way of building grow beds, I ran across an idea of building the beds from lumber and lining them with PondLiners. I posted a link to a pond site which also sells pumps.


BestNest.com: Firestone EPDM PondGard Pond Liner, 10' Wide (http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/pond_liner_10.asp)

My permanent grow beds will be 12" deep. Think of grow beds as the filter because they are. Since I have such few grow beds right now, only 8 foot X 4 foot X 2.5 feet deep, I made them deeper so I got as much filtration as I could with only two beds. I will eventually have 110 feet X 4 feet X 1 foot deep, and with that I won't need them deep for the extra filtration. But if you don't have enough grow beds you can make them deep to make up for it. Pond liners are not cheap, I can get these containers for about 20 bucks each, and each one will make 2 grow beds, and they are much easier to build. I had planed on building my own grow beds, but by the time I bought lumber and a liner it was going to cost a lot more than this way.

[helomech]

Here are some updated pics.

Planted some new seeds 6 days ago, and got some sprouts. So far just the eggplants are coming up.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/423563_3507353609361_1437432312_3386997_346908464_ n.jpg

And the peas are doing good, growing fast.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/417470_3507342849092_1437432312_3386994_1944349388 _n.jpg


And found some algae eaters for free that are big enough the bass should not eat them. They are in a gallon zip lock bag. Lost some gold fish to the bass the other day.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo17.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo20.jpg

[bacpacker]

Glad to see the setup workin well!

[helomech]

Really looking forward to having it completed. The growth should be amazing then.

[helomech]

Really looking forward to having it completed. The growth should be amazing then.

Well got my 12 volt DC pump in. It is rated at over 700 gallons per hour at 5 foot head. Going to be running 3 pumps total, but going to try this one out for a while before I spend another 400 bucks for the other two. I am going to run this on a 925 cranking amp battery hooked to a battery charger for now. Will get solar panels later, but for now I want to work the bugs out.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120309_195320.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120309_195311.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120309_195244.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120309_195229.jpg

[Optimist]

That's purty.... Weak spot in the system, though, is going to be the lead acid battery. If you are going solar panel, you might want to look at nickel-iron batteries. They have a much longer service life than lead-acid.

[helomech]

That's purty.... Weak spot in the system, though, is going to be the lead acid battery. If you are going solar panel, you might want to look at nickel-iron batteries. They have a much longer service life than lead-acid.

Thanks
Yeah, but to limit that I am planning my system where the battery is not depleted. The cycling is what kills the battery (I think), so if I maintain them fully charged they should last a very long time. Eventually I do plan on some better batteries.

[TroubleShooter]

Thanks
Yeah, but to limit that I am planning my system where the battery is not depleted. The cycling is what kills the battery (I think), so if I maintain them fully charged they should last a very long time. Eventually I do plan on some better batteries.

Have you considered pulsing the pump ...I have seen some setups using batteries have an on/off cycle like 5min on / 3 min off - (1 hr on , 1/2 hr off) I would think cycling the pump on/off would give you more time on a battery charge...... I think maybe if you ran your pump long enough to circulate your whole system once , then rested the pump for half that, the saving in wear and tear of pump and batteries would be benefical. Example : If your system is 1000 gallon and your pump is flowing 750 gallon per hour then run the pump about 1 1/2 hr and rest it 3/4 hr........ Just throwing out ideas.

You can get a marine grade battery from NaPa that handles discharging and charging well, I have several in my service trucks for inverters to run lights, heaters and use as test voltage and power aux items. The oldest one just hit the dirt in Jan. after 6 years of use. Less than $100 and also has studs for attaching connectors.

[bacpacker]

Nice looking pump Helo. Who makes it? Appears to be US made?

I would have to agree with Optimist about doing the cycle thing. It would sure add to the life of the pump, most likely the battery as well.

[helomech]

Have you considered pulsing the pump ...I have seen some setups using batteries have an on/off cycle like 5min on / 3 min off - (1 hr on , 1/2 hr off) I would think cycling the pump on/off would give you more time on a battery charge...... I think maybe if you ran your pump long enough to circulate your whole system once , then rested the pump for half that, the saving in wear and tear of pump and batteries would be benefical. Example : If your system is 1000 gallon and your pump is flowing 750 gallon per hour then run the pump about 1 1/2 hr and rest it 3/4 hr........ Just throwing out ideas.

You can get a marine grade battery from NaPa that handles discharging and charging well, I have several in my service trucks for inverters to run lights, heaters and use as test voltage and power aux items. The oldest one just hit the dirt in Jan. after 6 years of use. Less than $100 and also has studs for attaching connectors.

Problem with the cycling part is having more things to go wrong. Only moving part in my system other than the water is the pump. Trying to keep things as simple as possible. I have a industrial battery with 950 cranking amps running this 5 amp pump.

I will have solar on the system after I get it up and running, but the battery charger will be powering the system at night. In the event of a grid power failure than I may to running one pump for a hour, then turn off for 2 hours, the other pumps would do the same thing one hour on 2 hours off, but only at night with no electrical power from the grid.

Trying to find a battery charger, maintainer that would provide enough powe to run my pumps, and keep the battery charged.

[helomech]

Nice looking pump Helo. Who makes it? Appears to be US made?

I would have to agree with Optimist about doing the cycle thing. It would sure add to the life of the pump, most likely the battery as well.



Thanks, here is the info on the pump.

MP Pumps FRX50 Series 316 Stainless Steel 12V DC Circulator 1/2" NPT Pump #34741 (http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/mppufrse316s8.html)

[bacpacker]

Got those bookmarked for future reference. Thanks!

[helomech]

Your welcome, any failures and I will post it here. It is rebuildable, so I am going to order some spare parts.

[Optimist]

Helomech, that is a nice pump, and I am going to have to start saving my sheckels toward a pair of 'em. My current pumps use grid power, and that may not be with us much longer.

[helomech]

Thanks Optimist. I searched for pumps for a few months, I did not want to be tied to the grid.

[helomech]

More updates. Started building a cover over the fish tank to limit the sun from making to much algae, and to limit the amount of leaves and such that ends up in there. I used some lumber from my porch remodel.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120310_142225.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120311_172503.jpg


Got the 12 volt pump mounted up and flow is great. Got well at least 400 gallons per hour at about 7 feet of head, right on what the pump advertises. Should have over 700 gallons per hour at 5 foot head. Had to add the valve in this pick because the flow was too much for just 2 grow beds. The siphon had to much water going to it and it would not stop flowing. Opening this valve allows me to divert some water back to the fish tank and now the siphon is working properly.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120311_171740.jpg

Still need to get a better battery charger/converter, and tidy up things a bit. Most of this will be redone anyways when I get all my cinder blocks in.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120311_171753.jpg

[helomech]

Video of my fish.


http://youtu.be/UKQdLH4gAXo

[bacpacker]

Looks like they are growing well.

[helomech]

Yeah, and the water is finally clear. The new pump has made it clear up a lot.

[Evolver]

There giving us all the EYE... Well... Where the food? :)

[helomech]

Feeding them is fun. They go nuts when something hits the water.

[helomech]

Found a great deal on cinder blocks. I needed 630 of them for my retaining wall and my worm bins and it was going to cost me 1050 dollars plus tax to get them from lowes. I found a guy that is selling 2000 of them for 1100 dollars in the town next to me. Going to get them Wednesday. Not only are they cheaper, but they are the better ones. The ones I was going to get where jus the regular cinder blocks for 1.60 each. These are the ones with a textured side and sell for 3 bucks each new. These are still on pallets, the guy is 75 years old and getting out of the concrete business.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/5L15K15J43ne3Nb3Hec391b8baa85a5ed19de.jpg

[helomech]

Well got all the cinder blocks. And they guy threw in 3 free copper heads. Here are two of them, the chickens got the first one.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120321_192948.jpg

Poor truck, almost 10k lbs.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120322_151123.jpg

And here is what 2000 cinder blocks looks like.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120323_154232.jpg

[Evolver]

Dang nice score!!! You must be living right. :)

[bacpacker]

Holy crap thats a lot of work moving all those around. They will come in useful. Good size cooperheads.

[helomech]

I am sore from my eyeballs down. Most of the pallets where rotted out, so I had to unload each block to a new pallet, then he put the pallet on my trailer. Then when I got home my tractor could not lift the pallet, so I had to unload the top 2 rows again to a new pallet. Then unload the rest of the pallet. After that I had to unload most of the pallets again because we where running out of good pallets. I don't even want to know how many times I touched each block.

[helomech]

Holy crap thats a lot of work moving all those around. They will come in useful. Good size cooperheads.



Just look big in the pic, they where 2 to 2.5 feet long, but skinny.

[bacpacker]

That just sucks. I helped lay block with my dad when we built his garage. We weren't fast by any means so the number of blocks per day weren't really high, but I was still exhausted at the end of the day.
Still a great score.

[helomech]

Not looking forward to laying that first row of blocks. Man that is going to have to be perfectly level and square. After the first level it should go pretty good.

[bacpacker]

Yep, get the corners all good square and level. The rest of it will be much easier. Dad's garage is a 24x30, we ended up under a 1/4' out of square.

[helomech]

Well took out all the perch and bass, and put in 100 2-3 inch channel catfish. Forgot to take a pic of the fish, was in a big hurry, but did get a pic of my youngest son trying to catch the bass. Also bought 5 lbsl of flat head minnows, put about 200 of them in the tank with the catfish and put the rest in my pond.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/563101_1959568645135_1720369983_932921_1993945119_ n.jpg

[Sniper-T]

I am sore from my eyeballs down. Most of the pallets where rotted out, so I had to unload each block to a new pallet, then he put the pallet on my trailer. Then when I got home my tractor could not lift the pallet, so I had to unload the top 2 rows again to a new pallet. Then unload the rest of the pallet. After that I had to unload most of the pallets again because we where running out of good pallets. I don't even want to know how many times I touched each block.



so far... it'll be a couple more times yet before they're all layed!

[helomech]

Yeah, no joke.

[helomech]

My 3 bank battery charger/converter should be in tomorrow. It will be used to run my pump until I get my solar panels, and also at night once my solar panels are in place. This charger will do everything automatically and will send up to 40 amps to any of the 3 batteries. Did lots of searching to find this, it should do exactly what I need.

Truecharge Battery Charger | Truecharge2 20A, 40A, 60A | Xantrex (http://www.xantrex.com/power-products/battery-chargers/truecharge-2-2.aspx)

[bacpacker]

Those are sweet. Zantrex gets really high reviews in Home Power magazine. Sounds like things are coming along nicely.

[helomech]

Thanks some guy on another site said it does not work as a converter. He said he sells them, I hope he is wrong. This is what it says in the manua though.

Three-Stage Charging
The three-stage charging mode employs the following sequence: Bulk,
Absorption, and Float. During the Bulk stage the batteries are accepting a
constant maximum current. In the Absorption stage, the battery voltage is
held constant and the current declines. A battery will “gas” (produce
hydrogen and oxygen) when its voltage exceeds the “gassing” voltage.
Finally, in the Float stage, the charger continues to provide voltage at a
lower level to maintain the battery in a fully charged state. If there is no
load on the battery, it will typically draw very little current. The charger,
however, is able to provide current to its full rating to power auxiliary DC
loads on the battery.
The charger will restart

[Evolver]

Well took out all the perch and bass, and put in 100 2-3 inch channel catfish. Forgot to take a pic of the fish, was in a big hurry, but did get a pic of my youngest son trying to catch the bass. Also bought 5 lbsl of flat head minnows, put about 200 of them in the tank with the catfish and put the rest in my pond.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/563101_1959568645135_1720369983_932921_1993945119_ n.jpg

You've been busy. Is this a new deck over the fish tank? Just to put things in prospective for us layman we need a updated photo shoot of your build. :p

[helomech]

Yes it is a deck. Mainly to keep most of the sunlight out of the tank. Was starting to get a algae problem. Also to help keep leaves out of the tank. Not much difference yet, other than the deck. But can post some new pics when I get home. I am stuck offshore right now, but should be going home tomorrow.

[helomech]

Found some tilapia locally so bought all she had. Got 60 today, and going to get more next week. Lots of my catfish I put in 2 weeks ago are dying, but 4 a day. But the tilapia so far seem to be doing great.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P4040004.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P4040003.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P4040002.jpg

[izzyscout21]

Helo, your projects amaze me. I am digging the progress you have made. This is awesome.

[Sniper-T]

I though Tilapia were almost indestructible! what's wrong with them?

[helomech]

Helo, your projects amaze me. I am digging the progress you have made. This is awesome.

Thanks, almost done with my house then all my time is going to be on the aquaponics system.

[helomech]

I though Tilapia were almost indestructible! what's wrong with them?

Nothing wrong with the Tilapia, but all my catfish are dying.

[helomech]

Well I guess I should update. All my catfish are dead, and all but 13 of my tilapia are dead. But I got everything under control and have not lost a fish in almost 2 weeks. Should be picking up 40 more tilapia tomorrow and getting a breeding trio this weekend. Plant growth is good, and we added two more grow beds.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_073610.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_073614.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_073626.jpg


And we planted these grow beds last week.



http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_073635.jpg

[helomech]

And here is the solar heater I am building to warm up my water. The in ground tank is trying to stay at 68 F and that is a little to cold for tilapia. I have been using some garden hoses to heat the water and got the water to 82F much better, but should be able to get the water to the high 80's pretty easy once I am done with this.

Still got to line it and pain the pipe, then hook it up.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_173852.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120502_181959.jpg

[bacpacker]

Nice growth on the plants. They look real good specially the peppers. Glad the fish kill has stabilized. That with pipe running thru will make a huge difference in temp. How warm does the talapia like?

[helomech]

optimum temp for tilapia is 82-86F. 68F is about the lowest they can tolerate long term, but they don't eat or grow. Around 50 they all die.

[helomech]

Well plans changed again, we decided to make it bigger. So I am adding 5 feet to each side of my hole in the ground, and we will probably make it longer also. It started out 16X40, and now we are up to 24X60 or 24X70. Now everything in these pics is in it's temporary location except the big fish tank that is buried. The IBC next to the fish tank is for the breeders that Ravnis gave me. I told the wife once I get it expanded it is not going to get any bigger.

One of the tilapia I picked up today.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P5040007.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120505_180352.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120505_194037.jpg

[bacpacker]

Wow Helo, that is a hell of a set up. Provides plenty of food I'm betting. I know it will by the time you get everything set up like you want. Nice Work

[helomech]

Thanks, it should provide way more food than we can eat. Especially if I can get the tilapia to breed, from what I have heard they are easy to get to breed.

[The Stig]

I had not checked into this thread in a while.

WOW

This is a very interesting journey and I really appreciate you taking the time to share it with us. We are very lucky for that.

Thanks!

[helomech]

Thanks. It is a fun project, just wish I could get it done faster. Seems like there is always something to do before I can put the cinder blocks in.

[helomech]

Working 7 days of overtime this coming up week so i should be able to get all my cinder blocks up next month, and maybe even get the greenhouse up. The breeders I picked up earlier this month have had babies, they are to small to get pics of, but we are setting up an aquarium inside to put a bunch of them in. And also got a tank set up to grow duck weed to feed to the fish.

Duck weed tank

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120507_185835.jpg

And this is the final size of the system. Decided to work over to pay someone to get the wall up, it would take me a long time to do it, and my friend is going to bring his crew of 8 guys over with a small backhoe for 1500 a day. They should be able to knock out the wall in a day or so.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120506_195241.jpg

[helomech]

Here is a video of feeding time with the tilapia.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L47XC5Vyfb4

[Vodin]

wow, awe, inspiration, desire and..... I cant even put into words the thoughts I am having. This is incredible! You have placed ideas in my mind that are just banging to get out to make it a reality. Did I say wow?
Ok the catfish, the research I have done states that a strong current needs to be in the 'tank'. I have posted this else where on this sight but I will do it again here they run a 55Gal barrel with catfish.

http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/Raisingcatfishinabarrel.pdf

Even this is a miniscule in comparison to what your are creating here. Thank you so very much for providing this information. It will be used in upgrading my feeble attempt at aquaponics.

Looks awesome!

[helomech]

Thanks I am so ready to be finished with the build. Having to put everything else on hold. Ready to reap the rewards now.

[helomech]

Growth is really taking off now. Here is a pic of a tomatoe plant. The plant is in the nearest corner.

This pic was taken about 19 days before the other one.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120506_195241-1-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo65.jpg

[bacpacker]

Dam Helo that stuff is taking off. Looks awesome. have tomatos set yet?

[helomech]

Just getting flowers now.

Wife got a 55 gallon aquarium set up in the living room for a trio of breeder tilapia, and my son has a 10 gallon set up in his room for the fry. Here is a pic of the 55 gallon. No fish in it yet, going to put water in tomorrow.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo69.jpg

[bacpacker]

My friend that over all set up is a inspiration to me. Excellent job.

[helomech]

Thanks, should have the cinder blocks done soon.

[slowz1k]

Can't believe I missed this thread! Awesome setup!!!! Please keep posting on progress.

[helomech]

Thanks will do.

[helomech]

Wife just told me her dad thinks there are several thousand fry in the tank, and also that in our duckweed tank the minnows I put in there have lots of babies also.

[helomech]

Here is a pic of a few our our newest babies. Tilapia.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo72.jpg

[bacpacker]

Very cool. Looks like sardines to be. :)

[helomech]

Well only got 3 days of overtime, instead of the 7 I was hoping for. But will have the option for lots more overtime for a little while. So might be doing a 21 day hitch offshore starting on Wednesday.

Anyways got my tilapia taken care of today.

Here is a pic of the ones I am hoping will stay inside and breed for us all year. My son had a blast catching them with a fishing pole, tried every other way with no luck, so they have a small hole where the fish hook was. The water should clear up soon, the rocks in the bottom where a little dirty.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/600558_2144323103881_1665804250_n.jpg

And here are some of the babies, got all of them out of the breeder tank outside, and put some in this aquarium, and the rest in my duckweed tank.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/551769_2144322023854_2022539802_n.jpg

[helomech]

Well we figured out that with all these babies we where going to run out of fish tank soon. So I went to walmart and bought a 10 foot by 30 inch deep swimming pool for 100 bucks. Got it leveled out, and set up, filled with water and letting it aerate. Going to let the water turn green before I put the tilapia fry in. For those not familiar with using "green" water, basically you let the sun cause an algae bloom, and the tilapia feed off the algae and don't require any other food. Sure the water won't be pretty, but the fish will be healthy and no cost on feed.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120602_142245.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120602_142250.jpg

And this is a water pump that I drilled a hole into the impeller area and inserted a air line, the pump sucks air in and mixes it with the water. I didn't have a extra air pump, and I believe this mixes the air better anyways.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P6010032.jpg

[Evolver]

Dang your like that bunny that keeps on going... and going... :)

[helomech]

LMAO, got to make the most of my days off. Going to probably be offshore for 21 days starting next week. But when I get back I am going to do my best to finish all of the cinder block work.

Oh yeah, I could not wait, I put 7 tilapia fry in and so far they are doing good.

[helomech]

Some new grow bed pics.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo84.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo85.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo86.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo87.jpg

[bacpacker]

Lookin good Helo!

[helomech]

May 31, 16 days ago


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo70.jpg

This pic was taken 11 days ago. June 4th

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120604_183753.jpg

June 11th 7 days later.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo85.jpg

And today June 15th, 4 days after the last pic.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo.jpg

[Sniper-T]

Those beds are awesome. great use of the cubes, and can be moved with a forklift too!

Tilapia are looking great!

[helomech]

Thanks sniper

[Sniper-T]

One of these days, I'm going to copy/paste this entire thread into a word document, and print it off as a 'how to manual'. Awesome work all around!

[helomech]

Oh and here are two pics to show the tilapia growth. Not sure the exact day they hatched, but this first pic was taken on June 1st 14 days ago. Pics are of the same fish tank, we just added more the air curtain and the structure.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/551769_2144322023854_2022539802_n.jpg

And this pic was taken yesterday. So 13 days of growth.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo99.jpg

[Vodin]

Got my upper pond active and useable.... need to find Pacho, Tout, Tilapia or Catfish to start on the farming.

[helomech]

Where do you live? The blue tilapia are good down to about 47 F. The white nile go down to 45F. Mossambic (spelling) about 55F.

[Vodin]

Colorado. I believe I found the fish to farm. Bluegill. Never ate one but... gonna try it out.

[helomech]

Look into how fast they grow. I think they grow fairly slow.

[mitunnelrat]

The bluegill I had was pretty good, and they were some of the largest I'd seen, but they don't seem to go very far. I took 75 to a friends house, and 5 of us wiped it all out in one meal.

[Vodin]

And found a source of fish and info

Agriculture-Colorado:Colorado Aquaculture Facilities (http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1184834145392)

[helomech]

If I lived where you do I would do trout.

[Vodin]

Spawning season for bluegills starts late in May and extends into August. The peak of the spawning season usually occurs in June in waters of 67 to 80°F. It seems Taliapia spawn at a temp not a time correct?

[helomech]

Tilapia spawn ever 4 to 6 weeks if the water temp is okay. So between 78 and 86 F.

[bacpacker]

Blue gill are great, but like MIT said it takes a bunch of them to make a meal.

[Vodin]

Tilapia spawn ever 4 to 6 weeks if the water temp is okay. So between 78 and 86 F.

That would be awesome... but Colorado can get kinda cold....

[helomech]

That would be awesome... but Colorado can get kinda cold....

That is why if I where you I would do trout

[helomech]

Here is the tilapia fry in my green water tank eating.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lA93nqDVL8

[Sniper-T]

What are they eating?

[helomech]

Just some gold fish food. We tried different foods in different tanks and had the best growth with the gold fish food.

[Sniper-T]

I use 'trout food' for my trout, but if I run out, they absolutely love any kind of dog food!

[helomech]

Yeah, the tilapia will eat pretty much anything, but we seem to get the best growth from the flake fish food. The fish in that tank are eating the algae in the green water, we are just feeding them extra to get them to grow as fast as they can. All the fish in that tank will be killed and eaten before the water gets to cold this winter.

[Sniper-T]

That's my plan too, although I may leave some in the pond for the winter, to see if they'll survive

[helomech]

I am going to try to put some in my pond also, but I don't think they will make the winter.

[Sniper-T]

How deep is your pond?

As long as it doesn't freeze solid, all you need to do is keep an airhole open for the pond to burp. Then the only factor would be if Tilapia are hardy enough. If not, is there something else you could stock that would work in your system? Bass? Cats?

[helomech]

My pond has never even had ice on it, it is 14 feet deep. But tilapia die at 55 F, and even in the dead of summer my pond is about 70F. The spring that feeds my pond is about 67F all year long.

My pond already has bass, perch and catfish in it. I actually have 2 systems, one has the tanks that feed my grow beds, the other is the cheap swimming pool for my greenwater aquaculture. The pool is the one that I will empty when the weather gets cold. The tanks in my aquaponics will run all year with tilapia and I will do what i have to to keep them alive.

[Sniper-T]

Like I said... I'm going to print this whole thread and bind it into a "how to" book!

[helomech]

Cool, hopefully in the next 2 weeks my retaining wall will be finished, then I can start on my green house and moving the tanks down into their permanent location.

[helomech]

Another updated pic of the grow ged, these two pics are taken 10 days apart.

Taken 6-11-12
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo85.jpg

Taken today 6-21-12

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/phototfytf.jpg

[Sniper-T]

Outstanding!

[helomech]

Sure is neat to see the growth. We never had any luck growing anything before we built this.

[helomech]

One of the 9 free IBC's we are getting. Wife can only transport 2 at a time.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo1-1.jpg

[Sniper-T]

That is a good price for them!

[helomech]

Yeah, can't beat free. Going to get 14 more for 55 bucks each soon.

[Grumpy Old Man]

What product came in the totes Helo? I have a number around here, but as they contained chemical admixtures I've been leery of using them in a gardening application.

[helomech]

Not sure, but they have been used for animal feed and water for many years now. The guy that owned the safari near my house used them, but he died recently and his wife wants them gone. She said seeing them makes her cry. Sad.

The ones we are buying contained syrup (spelling).

[helomech]

Got a new air pump, it is a little big for just one tank. It is rated for 10k gallons, and the pool is only 1k gallons. When I get home I am going to get this set up to take care of all my tanks. But here is a video of it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAQG2A8lJu8

[Sniper-T]

Nice! But yeah, looks a little much. Do you have the info on that pump?

[helomech]

Well really can't have too much, but I will be diverting lots of that air to my 1500 gallon tank and my 4 330 gallon tanks. The pump is a pondmaster AP-100

Pondmaster Air Pump LP-100 for Oxygenating ponds (http://www.pondmasterstore.com/home/pm1/page_143_58/?rid=ppc&gclid=CKuUpZz84bACFRFZTAodcDXWNA)

[Sniper-T]

That's a nice little unit! I meant a little much because it looks like it'll bubble your fish right out.

I keep looking for a DC aerator. I'd like to have one as a backup, to run off a couple batteries with solar

[helomech]

I have this one for a back up 12V 35W 80L/M DC Permanent Magnetic Air Compressor&Pump | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-35W-80L-M-DC-Permanent-Magnetic-Air-Compressor-Pump-/120648118010?pt=AU_Air_Tools&hash=item1c17302efa)

And also have a A/C 240 volt pump that was converted to run 12 DC.

[Sniper-T]

Have you tried it out? Happy with it?

[helomech]

Have you tried it out? Happy with it?


I have tried out the red one in the link, it works great just not sure how long it will last. Seems fairly well buitl, just don't have a clue how long it would last running continously and only run it when necessary. The one that is converted from 240 A/C I just got in the mail and have not had a chance to try it.

[Sniper-T]

It's a basic piston pump, so it should run just about forever if you can keep the intake clean.

[helomech]

Hope so, just don't have any data on longevity. It is a brushless motor so that is good.

[helomech]

A little update.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo2-1.jpg

Some of the 10vfree IBC totes we got

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photoredsr.jpg

The stickers on some of the totes.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo3.jpg

The enclosure my wife built to keep the rain off our new pump. She sure does a good job of keeping things going when I am not home. Could not do this without her.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photoygylo.jpg

[bacpacker]

Nice totes. Tell the wife she does good work. That'll protect it for sure.

[helomech]

Thanks bacpacker. She sure does a lot.

[bacpacker]

It sure helps having another set of hands helping out. Mine did a fine job helping with the wheat harvest. I enjoy hearing of so many folks on here who's spouse helps with the prepping, whatever form that takes. So much easier working together.

[helomech]

Yeah, no joke. We have a system. I do all the animal killing and butchering, she does all the canning and vacuum sealing. We both take care of the aquaponics and critters and so on.

[bacpacker]

So do we, I take care of most of the property maintenance, planting, building, etc. She mostly takes care of the chicken, does a lot of the canning/perserving I just help on the stuff that needs a lot of peeling, chopping, etc. My wife's short, so she gets me to move the canner, jars, and stuff around. The results of her neck injury took a lot of her strength and endurance with heavier stuff. We both work the garden and harvest.

[helomech]

Wife sent me more pics, thought I would share with you guys also. Not the best quaility pics wife sends them in small format so they go through internet out here is slow.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo14.jpg

Weird looking watermelon.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo13.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo12.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo18.jpg

[helomech]

Lets try this again. Getting frustrated.

Roma tomatoes

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo17-1.jpg

The 4 grow beds
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo20-1.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photo16.jpg

[Vodin]

Here is what I will be pursuing to feed my fish,
http://www.inventgeek.com/Projects/Photo-Bio-reactor-V2/OverView.aspx
Here is the reasoning
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae

So that will be more natural to fish but I will be adding other types of food.

I am still stuck on the type of fish that I would be able to farm. Blue Tilapia here in Colorado can only survive 45 degree temps... so it is a doubtful endeavor. And the rest of the breeds don't breed as quickly as Tilapia. So it might just have to be Blue Gill I will need to look at the food needed per lb of meat. And as much as I hate to I may just need to heat the pond.

Currently I am still digging my pond but nasty rain storms have been slowing it down. When I am done I will post the series of pictures of the process. It is but a wee pond unlike Helo's but you gotta work with what ya got right : ).

[helomech]

Also wanted to update on my green water pool. It has been running over a month now and only done a partial water change once. I don't even have a water pump in it. There are almost 500 young tilapia in it, and they are doing great. The only thing moving the water is the air pump, and the only things cleaning the water are the hyacinths. Water test are great, ph is still high at 8, but nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia are all zero. The fish are eating 3 times a day, and eat fast.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100049.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100050.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

Here are some pics of the growth today. Sorry the lens kept fogging up, humidity is high today. The tomatoe plant looks bad, but I think it is because of to much sun. The tomatoes are still growing and looking great. Probably picking 20 a day off that one plant.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100056.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100052.jpg

And some egg plants

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100053.jpg

[helomech]

And here are some pics of the progress. The rain screwed us up.

The cuts in the side are for added strength to the wall.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100057.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100055.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7100054.jpg

[bacpacker]

Dang Helo, thats some fine plants you have going. 20 tomatos a day from one plant! They are loving the fertilize. Fish sounds like there doing good as well.

How long is your wall gonna be?

[helomech]

Thanks Bacpacker. The wall has is now going to be 30 feet wide by 100 feet long. So 260 feet of walls.

Everything is running great on the system, now if the rain would just cooperate we could get these walls done.

[bacpacker]

Very nice work with the whole set up. You grabbed good research and have made it work out nicely. I am impressed with the results.

[helomech]

Thanks man.

Wonder what happened to the like button, it is gone.

[Sniper-T]

?? I musta missed something, what's the wall for?

The like button is on hiatus; RJ is looking for a replacement

[helomech]

Since my system is under the ground level, I need a wall to hold the dirt back, and also for the roof of my greenhouse.

[helomech]

got a little more done today. We where supposed to have 7 guys doing the work, but he had to split his crew and only 3 came. They should have the first row complete tomorrow, and the rest of the stacking is going to be done by me and the wife. It is not going to be a fast job. There are 180 or so blocks on each row, and I think we are going to need to do 7 or 8 rows.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7110058.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7110062.jpg

My son cleaning up after a long day.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7110063.jpg

[Sniper-T]

and people call me nuts for my pond...

:rolleyes:

*like*

[helomech]

and people call me nuts for my pond...

:rolleyes:

*like*

LMAO, I think your pond was more work. That is a lot of rocks.

[helomech]

Me on the left, contractor (and friend) on the right. He is trying to explain to me how to finish up. We are going to do all the rest by ourselves.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7120002.jpg

A pic of one of the supports cut out for the wall.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7120007.jpg


3 blocks high.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7120006.jpg

All of the first row is complete, the opening is for the door that is going to be 12 feet wide. Big enough to fit the tractor in.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7120010.jpg

[bacpacker]

Good size area in there. Are you using 12" blocks? Looks like ti to me.

[Sniper-T]

how many blocks high are you going? are you going to be backfilling around them? It doesn't look like much mortar in there, and I don't see any vertical rebar...

Looking good!! Thanks for the progress reports!

[helomech]

Good size area in there. Are you using 12" blocks? Looks like ti to me.

Yeah, 100X30 feet. The blocks are 8X8X16.

- - - Updated - - -


how many blocks high are you going? are you going to be backfilling around them? It doesn't look like much mortar in there, and I don't see any vertical rebar...

Looking good!! Thanks for the progress reports!

Not sure yet, going to go just above ground level. Yes going to backfill.

No mortar, dry stacking, then rebar and fill with concrete. The vertical rebar will be put in before we pour the concrete. Also going to pour a 4 inch think cap on top of the walls.

- - - Updated - - -

Me running the concrete saw. Cutting a slot in the tops of every 3rd row to run rebar the entire length of the walls. Man that saw is dangerous.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/417732_4411528213161_363776221_n.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/529641_4411523533044_2122398459_n.jpg

[Sniper-T]

yep, them saws will take a nasty bite. slow and steady, if you try to force it at all, it'll bind and kick.

Can't tell in the pic, but are you wearing safety glasses?

[helomech]

In that pic, no I was not wearing safety glasses. But after a little bit got in my eye I got a pair and wear them now.

[helomech]

Just me and the wife on it today, and we had to stop for about 2 hours because of rain.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130012.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130013.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130015.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130016.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130017.jpg

[ladyhk13]

I am still stuck on the type of fish that I would be able to farm. Blue Tilapia here in Colorado can only survive 45 degree temps... so it is a doubtful endeavor. And the rest of the breeds don't breed as quickly as Tilapia. So it might just have to be Blue Gill I will need to look at the food needed per lb of meat. And as much as I hate to I may just need to heat the pond.


Can you do a small solar heating system for them? It probably would not be expensive to start up and no monthly bill.

[helomech]

More done today.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7140019.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7140020.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7140021.jpg


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7140022.jpg

[bacpacker]

Moving along nicely Helo! It looks good. You mentioned pouring the block with rebar. Are you gonna pour each hole, or just a certain amount of them?

[helomech]

Moving along nicely Helo! It looks good. You mentioned pouring the block with rebar. Are you gonna pour each hole, or just a certain amount of them?


Thanks

Going to build a form on top of the blocks, and pour concrete in every hole and about 4 inches above the cinder blocks to make a nice cap. The bottom row, third row, and 6th row are going to be a solid pour, concrete will flow down them and they all have rebar running the entire length of the wall. Will also place rebar vertically in some of the holes. Not sure if you can tell from the pics, but the wall leans out some also. Each row is a little further out than the row it sits on.

- - - Updated - - -

In this pic you can see how the concrete will fill in the entire length of the walls, and that there is also rebar in it. The wall should be plenty strong.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P7130015-1.jpg

[bacpacker]

I saw the steps in the levels. Though it was just an illusion in the pic. Running rebar 2 directions and doing a solid pour in areas will make a very sturdy wall.

[helomech]

Yeah, the wall will be solid concrete, with rebar all over in it.

[helomech]

Got a little done since the last pics. Still have a long ways to go, and will not be able to do anything for 2 weeks. Have to spend the next 2 weeks offshore.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120717_154200.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120717_154304.jpg

And picked up this 900 gallon tank for 100 bucks today. Put 100 baby tilapia in it from my green water tank.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120717_161646.jpg

[Sniper-T]

Looking awesome! great deal on that tank!

[helomech]

Thanks sniper

[Sniper-T]

I'm starting to think that if I can get a tank like that, set up an aerator, and toss in a trough heater, I might be able to overwinter some trout that way

Is your set up going to be (or already is) totally off grid?

I got a decent area in my back 40 that could be dedicated to something like yours (smaller scale), and I'm liking this idea a lot!

[helomech]

I'm starting to think that if I can get a tank like that, set up an aerator, and toss in a trough heater, I might be able to overwinter some trout that way

Is your set up going to be (or already is) totally off grid?

I got a decent area in my back 40 that could be dedicated to something like yours (smaller scale), and I'm liking this idea a lot!

Trout should be able to handle some very low temps, so not much heat should be required. Just enought to keep it from freezing.

Not off grid yet, but that is the goal. The solar is going to be expensive.

[Sniper-T]

Yeah, the trout will actually go into semi-hibernation for the winter, so that isn't the issue. They do need to off gas though, so a hole needs to stay open all winter, or they'll die. Depending on how cold the winter is, Aerators/pumps may or may not suffice, but in conjuction with a small heater, should work. Otherwise I'd have to be drilling holes daily. My 'tank' would also have to be big enough (height) to allow 3-4 feet of ice, and still provide enough water for them to swim in.

My original plan for my pond involved adding a bog pond. but instead of generic plants, turn that into a quasi-aquaponic system for garden plants. (Utilizing a 'global-bucket' type of system) on a larger scale; as well as an area for wild rice


The wife is still on the fence about levelling another 1/2 acre of trees, and starting another pond project. (this one would be natural, not lined, and no rocks). Once the first one is done, I may have a better chance of getting this one in.

[helomech]

Would lots of airflow keep the surface from freezing?

Wow you are expecting 3-4 feet of ice? Wow. My pond does not even get a layer of ice on it.

[Sniper-T]

It all depends on the winter, last year was mild with a fair amount of snow (insulates), so I had just over 3 feet.

The previous winter, it got bitterly cold quick, and stayed like that for more than a month (-35 - -45F); with very little snow, 7+ feet of ice was not uncommon. in conditions like this, aeration alone would not suffice. I tried just pumping water straight up from the bottom as well, and once it started freezing, I ended up with a beaver lodge kind of hump in the ice.

[helomech]

Man I could not live there.

[Sniper-T]

You should come up for a visit in February. We can go tenting!

[helomech]

I don't know what tenting means. Kind of scared to ask.

[Sniper-T]

going camping in a tent, you sicko!

ROFL

we can load the gear into a sleigh, drag it with a snowmobile 100 miles into the wilderness, set up a tent for the weekend. drill some holes in the ice for fishing, shoot some critters, you know... lol

[helomech]

going camping in a tent, you sicko!

ROFL

we can load the gear into a sleigh, drag it with a snowmobile 100 miles into the wilderness, set up a tent for the weekend. drill some holes in the ice for fishing, shoot some critters, you know... lol


LMAO, I could not resist.

Sounds like a blast if it was in July and you could ride a 4 wheeler instead of a snow mobile.

[Sniper-T]

It is problematic in July, as it is nearly impossible to carry enough buckshot for an entire weeknd. And once it is all gone, there is no way to kill the mosquitoes

[helomech]

It is problematic in July, as it is nearly impossible to carry enough buckshot for an entire weeknd. And once it is all gone, there is no way to kill the mosquitoes

Your home sounds like a hard place to live. Not sure I am up for that.

[Sniper-T]

The mosquitos aren't quite that bad, but what they lack in size they make up for in quantity. July/August are great for animal watching when back country. They're all down at the lakes/rivers, standing up to their noses in the water, with a black swarm circling overhead.

Life up here can be difficult, particularly if you are not used to it, nor expecting it. We had an exchange student here from Brazil when I was in school. he heard it was cold up here, so he brought along a hoodie. It was -39C the day he got off the plane, he took 3 steps out of the building, and ran back in. he wouldn't leave again, until we got clothes for him (parka/long pants/boots) His idea of cold was 70F. lol

But don't kid yourself, you live in a harsh climate too, not many people could work and function outside like you do in the heat that you have. It's just a matter of getting used to.

[helomech]

True, I can handle the heat. Just wrap a wet towel around your neck and go for it. It was in the mid to mid 90 F (35C) here all week and I worked in it all day. But ever since serving in the Army in Germany the cold kills me. Got frostbite bad on one of our manuvers and hate the cold now.

[helomech]

Had a few fish dying latetly and I am offshore, so my wife drained the tank down to see what was going on. All water tests are good, and only one fish was found dead on the bottom. Not sure what is going on, but hopefully with the water change everything should be better. Here are some pics she sent me.

Here are the dead fish from yesterday.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photoiuhi.jpg

Here is a pic of my son holding one of the babies that was born last month (I think)pics are somewhere in this thread.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/tilapia.jpg

Water looks good, and not much build up of crap on the bottom. Sure hope they stop dying now.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/oihj.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/ij.jpg

[helomech]

And she has been harvesting lots of tomatoes and eggplants.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photouh.jpg

Not Ap related, but here are some pics of my turkey struting around.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photoyy.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photouhu.jpg

[helomech]

Well hopefully I stopped any more deaths today, only time will tell for sure though. I drained the tank all the way down except for about 300 gallons. Got all the fish out and put them in IBC tanks 26 in one and 3 in another. The 3 are my breeders. Salted both IBC's with 3Kg of salt and 900 liters of water(about 3ppt) let the fish stay in them almost the entire day. I put 13 lbs (about 6kg) of salt in the 300 gallons of water in the empty tank. Let it circulate for about 4 hours. Then started adding water back and putting the fish back in. So there is about 12 kg of salt or about 26 lbs of salt for 1500 gallons. That should put me about 2ppt of salt in my tank. Have not had any deaths since I put them in the IBC's (hope it stays that way) I think we lost about 20 fish in the last 5 days, 6 this morning. Anyways will report back how things go, but here are some pics.

I have no idea how long this fish was dead, but I found it on the bottom of the tank. Let me know if you have an idea why it might have died.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010002.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010005.jpg

The ones that survived going back in the big tank.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010008.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010010.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010012.jpg

[helomech]

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010016.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010017.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/P8010018.jpg

[Sniper-T]

That sux. I've only had 5 trout floaters, but each one is like a personal loss.

Is your temps ok? PH?

did you fillet any? have a look inside, see if there are any parasites or anything?

[helomech]

All water test have been fine, nothing has changed on the water tests. My ph is kind of high about 8, but it has been that way since day one. Didn't have any deaths for months, then last week we started loosing a few each day. I have no idea why they started dying. No, I did not fillet any of them, didn't think about doing that.

[Sniper-T]

I'd try that next, and if there isn't anything obvious, take a couple down to a local vet, for an autopsy.

[helomech]

Well only had one fish die in the last almost 2 weeks. And that one was about a week ago, so I think things are doing better. Did another water change on my main tank again today and made a new pick up for my pump. The pump was just sitting on the bottom inside of a mesh bag, but now I hooked it up to some pvc pipe and made this. The slots where cut with a circular saw and they lay down on the bottom. This should pick up all the dirty stuff that was building up on the bottom middle of the tank.

The pump did not have a threaded part, so I had to use a dremel to open up the inside of a pvc pipe so it fit snug over the pump inlet.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/20120823_131228.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photogh.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii247/helomech1973/aquaponics/photoj.jpg

[Sniper-T]

nice