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davidstcldfl
01-21-2014, 03:01 PM
Hi, I haven't posted in awhile....computer issues, and now I'm moving... so I've done away with the internet conection too. But I've been busy working on building a few sytems.

This system I'm building for a fellow in Orlando. The tank is an IBC...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130724_zps342a08c1.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130724_zps342a08c1.jpg.html)

The pipe on the left of the swirl filter will be going to the 2 rows of media beds. The pipes on the right of the ibc is comming from the (clean water) sump.
The air pump on top of the ibc puts out aprox 2 cu ft/min.

The system will have a series of media beds which will drain into a few raft beds and also through some troughs with grow bags.

davidstcldfl
01-23-2014, 02:57 PM
In the foreground is the sump. In this case it's a 'clean water sump'.
Past the sump, there are two 4 ft x 8 ft raft beds.
Past the rafts are four 40 gallon stock tanks, made into media beds.


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0501141618a_zps5508be6d.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0501141618a_zps5508be6d.jpg.html)

dead_sled
01-23-2014, 03:14 PM
Very nice. Good use of the space. Will it recieve enough sun? Have you started cycling the system yet? Fishless or fishful cycling?

davidstcldfl
01-28-2014, 03:45 PM
It gets full sun at about 10- ish...then most of the rest of the day. We will install shade cloth above, just gets too hot in the summer here.

We brought the fish as soon as the ibc was set up. We have a large air pump set up and the fisdh were happy with that for awhile. We didnt feed them, till we had part of the system up and running.

samtheman
01-30-2014, 08:37 AM
That's a very nice setup. ...I wish I had that kind of space.

davidstcldfl
01-31-2014, 09:13 AM
Thanks deadsled and samtheman :)
This set up is between his neighbors fence...and the west side of his building.


Here's another shot of the 4 - 40 gallon tubs (media beds)...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130725_zps8436f504.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130725_zps8436f504.jpg.html)


I tried to have 2 of the beds share a drain. The drain kept up, but, when 2 were draining at the same time, there was a little splashing...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130725a_zpsb9c8e69b.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0817130725a_zpsb9c8e69b.jpg.html)

...so I made separate drains for each one.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0908130850b_zpse59bc987.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0908130850b_zpse59bc987.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
02-03-2014, 02:40 PM
We set up some of the mixing tubs as media tubs with bells. The 6 of them drain into a common header. They seem to be working very well... :)


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0908130849c_zps1ca8e365.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0908130849c_zps1ca8e365.jpg.html)


Here, you can see the end of the common header. It's draining into a metal trough that we'll be putting in 5 gallon grow bags. The trough, then drains into the sump....



http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131203_zps9b02e32f.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131203_zps9b02e32f.jpg.html)

samtheman
02-05-2014, 11:51 AM
That's awesome job! what type of gravel are you using? I am using lava rock but the edges are too sharp to work with and would like to switch it to something else like what you are using….. 8-)

davidstcldfl
02-11-2014, 03:18 PM
Thanks Sam, those are 'river rocks'...about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.
Yeah, those lava rocks are tough to work in... :(

You might think about setting up some new tubs, filling them about 1/2 ways with the lava you have...then top off 'all the tubs' with some river rocks.
It's win-win for you Sam.... :P ...you get to expand your system and get rid of (or hide) the lava.
We dso that at Sahibs...the lava keeps the weight down.

samtheman
02-12-2014, 10:09 AM
Thanks man, sounds like a great idea. One more question....what size water pump are you using for this set up?

davidstcldfl
02-14-2014, 12:06 PM
Sam, I think he bought the Danner MD9...950 gal.
The air pump is from Pentair/aquatic eco systems. It's their brand 'outdoor air pump'...#9730.
(2 cu ft. @ 1.5 psi)

davidstcldfl
02-14-2014, 12:12 PM
We added a long trough along the fence for more grow bags....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0908131746_zps149a959a.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0908131746_zps149a959a.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
02-21-2014, 01:06 PM
OK...here's a few pictures of this system after it's been up and running for awhile.
Hope this helps, for you snowed in gardeners, suffering from 'cabin fever'... :(

This is in one of the 5 gallon grow bags. At the time of the picture, this plant had about 30 tomatoes. This picture is just part of the plant....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1231131320a_zpsf6caa3a3.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1231131320a_zpsf6caa3a3.jpg.html)

Kale...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131021a_zps82483039.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131021a_zps82483039.jpg.html)


Collard greens and red okra....
Note: you can see the shade cloth cover has been installed. In central FL, this can be enough to keep the frost off the plants.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131020b_zps0b16989f.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1120131020b_zps0b16989f.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
03-26-2014, 06:48 AM
Here's a short video of the system... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUko3dsE ... jSNYdjaiHw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUko3dsEXHo&list=UUb9Uhmjj-fcaHjSNYdjaiHw)

dead_sled
03-26-2014, 07:12 AM
Here's a short video of the system... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUko3dsE ... jSNYdjaiHw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUko3dsEXHo&list=UUb9Uhmjj-fcaHjSNYdjaiHw)

Welcome to the jungle! Wow, that has definitely filled in! How many pounds of fish are sustaining the plants? Do you know the amount of feed per day?

davidstcldfl
03-26-2014, 05:39 PM
Thanks Dead Sled.. :)
Not sure of the pounds...about 40-ish fish. The average size isthe size of my hand. Feeding them kind of light...about 2 + cups of food (Aquamax 4000)...plus whatever veggies I toss in.

davidstcldfl
03-27-2014, 07:50 AM
OK, It's not aquaponics...but they are eating aquaponically grown veggies 8-)


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0327140832c_zps7a129d95.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0327140832c_zps7a129d95.jpg.html)

dead_sled
03-27-2014, 09:16 AM
Nice looking jungle birds! Do they eat fish as well?

davidstcldfl
04-27-2014, 02:08 PM
Update: start of the new addition....


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0427141432a_zps91043851.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0427141432a_zps91043851.jpg.html)


There will be 6 troughs...each 25 feet long.
There will be another pump in the sump, feeding the troughs, with the water draining back to the sump.
Note: the sump is a 'clean water sump'...the water flows through a swirll filter and media beds before it flows to the sump.

dead_sled
05-05-2014, 06:22 AM
Wow! Gary's system is really getting big! What type of plants are going in these grow bags?

Apollo
05-05-2014, 06:47 AM
Plants are looking so healthy and growing great...where are your Nitrates and PH levels running at?

davidstcldfl
05-05-2014, 04:00 PM
Wow! Gary's system is really getting big! What type of plants are going in these grow bags?

Tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplants, onions, leeks, okra, beets, cantaloupes, and a few cucumbers.

davidstcldfl
05-05-2014, 04:03 PM
Plants are looking so healthy and growing great...where are your Nitrates and PH levels running at?

Hmmm....?...what did I do with that test kit...?... :roll:

davidstcldfl
05-10-2014, 09:29 AM
Slowly working on the drains for the new troughs...


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0510141143_zpsb6b272cc.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0510141143_zpsb6b272cc.jpg.html)


Nice looking flowers, for a bean plant....


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0510141142_zps54e4511e.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0510141142_zps54e4511e.jpg.html)

aquaally
05-17-2014, 08:54 PM
I am in awe over this system, it is absolutely beautiful! All this off of one IBC? I think you are an artist on space management. Am confused on elevation issues, but I will keep re-reading this and making sketches until I get it figured out. :oops: Thanks for sharing. aquaally

davidstcldfl
05-18-2014, 09:35 AM
Thanks aquaally... :)

I think if you saw it in person....you could see how the water flows. Sometimes 'pictures' don't help.. :?

dead_sled
05-20-2014, 06:25 AM
Wow! Gary's system is really getting big! What type of plants are going in these grow bags?

Tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplants, onions, leeks, okra, beets, cantaloupes, and a few cucumbers. :shock: Wow, very nice!


Hmmm....?...what did I do with that test kit...?... :roll: :lol: :lol: 8-)

Thanks for the update. Keep them coming.
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/design/2013/09/DAVEYYY.gif

davidstcldfl
06-17-2014, 06:10 AM
Just a few recent pictures...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0615141110a_zps5d0ea60d.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0615141110a_zps5d0ea60d.jpg.html)


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0615141111_zps5cf6ead8.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0615141111_zps5cf6ead8.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
08-09-2014, 07:23 PM
Everything is growing well. Glad we were in no hurry to put up the shade cloth...seeing as how the okra is taller then the structure. The smaller okra towards the back are younger plants then the ones in the foreground. They are just starting to produce.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141423_zps6f934ccb.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141423_zps6f934ccb.jpg.html)

We are expanding...starting a new system. The reason we are expanding is... we have been selling a few things at a farmers market in Orlando.

Got the area cleaned up....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0731141306_zps06bb8ce5.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0731141306_zps06bb8ce5.jpg.html)

Worked on setting the IBC's today....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141237_zps5eedaab8.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141237_zps5eedaab8.jpg.html)

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141406_zpsb4067d46.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0809141406_zpsb4067d46.jpg.html)

When I had enough of the heat...I hid in the shade and cut a few barrels....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0520141529_zps53dd7f66.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0520141529_zps53dd7f66.jpg.html)

I'll use 18 of the barrel halves for media beds.

jackalope
08-14-2014, 12:32 PM
Looks Good, David!

davidstcldfl
08-15-2014, 05:31 AM
Hi Jackalope...great hearing from you sir ! Thank you ... :)

Here's a recent video of the grow bag section of the ranch....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxw-MZ7Q-xU

davidstcldfl
08-18-2014, 05:41 PM
More work on system 2...

We installed the electric conduit and the airline, between the sump and fish tanks.

Now working on the lay out for the media tubs. I set them with 20 inches from side of tub, to the next side of tub...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0818141924_zpsb458d490.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0818141924_zpsb458d490.jpg.html)


Made the path between the rows 3 ft 6 inches.....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0818141922_zps89b78800.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0818141922_zps89b78800.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
09-15-2014, 02:51 PM
I figure each barrel half holds about 3 cubic feet. Finally got 3 tons of 3/4 inch river rock....

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0911140816_zps3004ddbd.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0911140816_zps3004ddbd.jpg.html)

I had to laugh at my buddy Garry...he thought it was hard work putting the rock in the tubs. Good grief...we were using a skid steer with a bucket attached......:lol:

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0915140907_zps0b8a2f5c.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0915140907_zps0b8a2f5c.jpg.html)

davidstcldfl
11-02-2014, 06:26 AM
A little update....

The new system has been on hold for many reasons... :roll:
One of which, has been helping a friend of mine build a system at his parents house.




Omar bought an ibc from Orlando Drum. He bought a 'used' cage and a brand new bottle for it. It wasn't too much more $, then food grade ibc's go for on Graig's list in our area.

The system has a 330 gallon ibc, 6 - 40 gallon media tubs and a 150 gallon sump. Plans are to add a few raft beds in the near future.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Omarssytembuild_zps909325f9.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Omarssytembuild_zps909325f9.jpg.html)



http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0925141616a_zps2f7da915.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0925141616a_zps2f7da915.jpg.html)

You can see the outdoor air pump sitting next to the ibc fish tank. It supply's air to 2 - 12 inch air stones in the fish tank...plus a 6 inch stone in the sump.
In this set up, the water returns from the media beds to the sump; then the pump sends water back to a spray bar in the fish tank. We also added a spray bar in the sump, which we use to control the amount of water going to the fish tank.



http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/0925141617_zpsf1cfb97c.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/0925141617_zpsf1cfb97c.jpg.html)

topz
11-07-2014, 07:09 AM
Man that is looking good. Keep it up. Can't wait to see what it looks like in the spring.

urbanfarmer
11-07-2014, 02:08 PM
Wow, this looks amazing David! When are you ready for the tour? :mrgreen:

davidstcldfl
11-08-2014, 06:36 AM
Man that is looking good. Keep it up. Can't wait to see what it looks like in the spring.
Thanks Topz... :) He's planting stuff already. We're in central FL. Most of our winters are mild compared to most.

We took a 5 gallon buckets of our rocks and put into his system. Also some water from our system. We hope that helps speed up the bacteria growth.




Wow, this looks amazing David! When are you ready for the tour? :mrgreen:
Thanks UF... :) It's great having you back.. ;)
Yeah, one of these Saturdays we should hook up. The system here, is starting to look good, after switching to the 'winter garden'... :lol:

davidstcldfl
11-11-2014, 08:51 AM
If your looking out the window at snow.....then check out these picts and dream a little.....




http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/KIMG0016_zps9c41b4fa.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/KIMG0016_zps9c41b4fa.jpg.html)


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/KIMG0015_zps74102b73.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/KIMG0015_zps74102b73.jpg.html)

topz
11-14-2014, 07:49 AM
Yeah it was seven degrees here last night. Not happy about this.

Aloha Don
12-19-2014, 10:49 AM
Are you using a wicking-type system in your grow bags in the trough or are you using a drip?
Very nice work you are doing!

GK Daddio
12-19-2014, 04:32 PM
Are you using a wicking-type system in your grow bags in the trough or are you using a drip?
Very nice work you are doing!

New guy on the block here and I was wondering the same thing Don. A glance at the trough makes me think its via wicking which means a timer system too I suppose otherwise root rot issues.

davidstcldfl
01-01-2015, 07:16 AM
[quote="Aloha Don":2mexf7ak]Are you using a wicking-type system in your grow bags in the trough or are you using a drip?
Very nice work you are doing!

New guy on the block here and I was wondering the same thing Don. A glance at the trough makes me think its via wicking which means a timer system too I suppose otherwise root rot issues.[/quote:2mexf7ak]

:oops: ....I'm sorry for taking so long to answer.

The water flows constant. The mix in the bags 'wick' up the water. There are no root rot issues...

The bags have holes in the bottom, and, in the sides. The side holes aid in 'air pruning.'

The mix is standard for wicking set ups. Mostly pine 'fines', along with peat and perlite. The top few inches of mix, are actually dry....and gets wetter, closer to the bottom. The roots decide where they want to be... 8-)

I add guano's, azomite, blood meal, bone meal and lime to the mix at planting time.
Long term plants like, okra, tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, ect...I top feed with bat and sea bird guanos, as they grow.

davidstcldfl
01-01-2015, 07:21 AM
When your done shoveling snow.... :P
dream your here, helping tying up tomato branches, pinching off suckers ...and of course eating tomatoes ! :D



http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/GMRanchdec14_zps1882542d.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/GMRanchdec14_zps1882542d.jpg.html)

topz
01-01-2015, 10:57 PM
Looks great wicking bags look like a quick effective way to expand a system.

davidstcldfl
01-02-2015, 07:18 AM
Thanks Topaz... :)

My thoughts on the bags....

-They 'just use' water from the system.
-They are 'not' helping to filter/clean the water.

.

topz
01-03-2015, 01:05 AM
Your killing me with the topaz. Lol


I suppose your right about the filtration might give a great place for bacteria to live though.