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utahgal
04-20-2012, 08:06 AM
Hi everyone
Figured it was time to document my first IBC system. I had the Travis Pretty Blue barrel system last year. I dismantled that so I could incorporated it into the IBC system later. I am finding I have a lot more questions than I had with the barrelponics. Travis did such an great job, the questions were answered that I didn't even know the questions existed. So the learning starts/continues.

From the beginning: IBC won't fit thru the greenhouse door.........Humm duh. Ok we will cut outside and move in. Humm measures still to big. Crap, not good. OK lets look at this. Hey the bottom will unscrew from the big part of tank. Sweet, wait, will it go back on like it is supposed to? Ya it will. Go for it. Ok so far. Going thru door was a VERY tight fit. Easy, ok wiggle a little more, easy with door frame. E A S Y Ok it is inside. Phew Barrels went thru easily. without being cut, duh.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/Startingtofillwithmedia-1.jpg

All put back together ready to put media in. Media is river pebbles that has been washed and rewashed and.........You get the pic.

FT sides were reinforced with 2x4's to support the GB and give it a level platform. Also ran a couple 2x4's under the GB for additional support.

To be continued......

commander
04-20-2012, 08:15 AM
NIce. I like the 2x4's

utahgal
04-20-2012, 10:13 AM
commander thanks, we attached thru the metal cage uprights with deck screws. really sturdied up the tank.

urbanfarmer
04-20-2012, 07:57 PM
Neat. I would very much like to see the greenhouse! :-)

utahgal
04-21-2012, 07:28 AM
This pic is taken from where the IBC is setting. The raised beds were made at a level for my 82 yr old mom. She decided this year she can't deal with the heat and to not use the greenhouse this year.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/100_5802-1.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/100_5763.jpg

Last year we applied for Organic status for our 30x60 dirt garden, and a couple other smaller gardens and got it. We also rec'd a grant this year for 2 hoop houses that will be around 20x54 each. That will leave the existing one (12x20) for my aquaponics system(s) next season.

The raised beds will probably be removed, maybe leave one for seed starts, not real sure what renovations will be done.

Cindy

commander
04-21-2012, 08:08 AM
Very Nice. DId you get the grant for the greenhouse through the USDA? I remember reading something about such a program but have been unable to find any further information about it?

utahgal
04-21-2012, 10:02 AM
Hi there,

Yes, we applied for an EQUIPP grant through the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service. That used to be the USDA Soil and Conservation Service. What we qualified for was the High Tunnel Grant program. That grant is offered in most states every year. Be aware they only fund about 70% or so, and you must become Certified Organic, and then also attend and graduate from the Master Gardener Program offered through your State Extension service.

Hopefully we can incorporate the AP system into the organic areas as part of our farm.

Cindy

commander
04-21-2012, 10:13 AM
THanks for the info. Sounds like a great opportunity

davidstcldfl
04-21-2012, 03:41 PM
Hi Cindy, welcome to the forum.... :D
Looks like your off to a great start on the ap set up.. :)

urbanfarmer
04-21-2012, 07:37 PM
Hi there,

Yes, we applied for an EQUIPP grant through the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service. That used to be the USDA Soil and Conservation Service. What we qualified for was the High Tunnel Grant program. That grant is offered in most states every year. Be aware they only fund about 70% or so, and you must become Certified Organic, and then also attend and graduate from the Master Gardener Program offered through your State Extension service.

Hopefully we can incorporate the AP system into the organic areas as part of our farm.

Cindy
Going to look into this! Thank you so much for the pictures and information. I hope it proves to be as great a help as I think it will! :-)

utahgal
04-22-2012, 07:10 AM
OK tank inside greenhouse, leveled the best we could on a dirt floor, and media being added. After media added it was hosed again and allowed to fill GB for a final rince. You can see the water is dirty and makes me wonder why I wasted time trying to wash it by the bucket full. I put garden hose on bottom drain and emptied the FT to some trees outside the greenhouse.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/0324121412.jpg

The pump is just a little yard pond pump. I have 2 of them and the one ran 24/7 for about a yr. before I unplugged to get this system set up. There is a stand pipe in GB that provides 2 inches of top dry media. I am running this as a constant flood for right now. Not only is it the line of least resistance (easiest) I don't have the confidence yet to get into bell, or aftan syphons. Right now I just want to get a system up and functional and productive, then I will start to experiment with another setup when I have the greenhouse pretty much to myself.

alex281
04-22-2012, 05:34 PM
OK tank inside greenhouse, leveled the best we could on a dirt floor, and media being added. After media added it was hosed again and allowed to fill GB for a final rince. You can see the water is dirty and makes me wonder why I wasted time trying to wash it by the bucket full. I put garden hose on bottom drain and emptied the FT to some trees outside the greenhouse.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/0324121412.jpg

The pump is just a little yard pond pump. I have 2 of them and the one ran 24/7 for about a yr. before I unplugged to get this system set up. There is a stand pipe in GB that provides 2 inches of top dry media. I am running this as a constant flood for right now. Not only is it the line of least resistance (easiest) I don't have the confidence yet to get into bell, or aftan syphons. Right now I just want to get a system up and functional and productive, then I will start to experiment with another setup when I have the greenhouse pretty much to myself.


All you need for that siphon now is get a pipe thats bigger, drill holes on the bottom and put an end cap on it and your siphon will be complete. if you want productiveness that will definitely be the thing you want to take care of first. its easier than you think. i didnt have to do much to make mine run on a 10 minute fill and 5 minute drain cycle. The system looks great!

utahgal
04-27-2012, 02:23 PM
When I first got the system put together and filled, I got a coating of algae on the sides. This was before fish or plants. Hence the shade cloth and foamboard insulation.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6390-1.jpg

After that problem was taken care of, I started figuring out how to use the second pump that was just circulating water back into the FT for more DO. Here is what I came up with. (temporary only)

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6397-1-1.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6502.jpg

(Photobucket put a new editor in place and I am having a hard time getting these pics the right size or to even change size, sorry. Not sure if its me or the new editor.)

The second pump is feeding the left end and the right end is running back into the FT to supply DO. The fish seem happy, but they seem to be playing in the 2 overflow areas. I'm afraid they may not have enough DO. They aren't staying at the top gasping though.

Tomorrow I will post a picture of an idea I had today. Me, who was standing behind the door, in the wrong room when imaginations were handed out. When I post, I would like some comments or suggestions on the thought.

Cindy

utahgal
04-28-2012, 09:07 AM
This was just an idea that hasn't been all thought thru yet, but it would give me just a little more area. Need to find a better way to attach but like I said, an idea still on the drawing board. Any and all suggestions/ideas welcome.

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6497.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6496.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa404/cinders60/Aquaponics%20system/IBC%20Aquaponics%20system/100_6499.jpg

The end cap will go on, the tube on the front could be turned around, the pump could supply from the back side of the new tube and drain into the old one with lettuce starts and then back into the FT.

Ideas?????????