Helping Robert build his system

[davidstcldfl]

Ok, here's another system I've been helping/working on with a fellow named Robert. He just finished up at UCF. This build is near there.

The system will have 2 'river beds' and 2 raft beds.
The river beds, simply have media in them that the water constantly flows through. The pots/grow bags will be set to where the bottom of the vessel is in contact with the water. The water then wicks up into the soil mix.

In the fore ground right...is the plastic pallet that the IBC will sit on.
In the mid, is the 2 river beds...
In the background, is the 2 raft beds.
NOTE: the 2 river beds are elevated slightly. As we dig out the raft bed area, we will bring up the dirt level in the river beds.

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/StartofRobssystem_zps770eefba.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%
20Uploads/StartofRobssystem_zps770eefba.jpg.html)

The (clean) sump will be installed past the beds.

[dead_sled]

Very nice! I can't wait to see the progress.

[davidstcldfl]

Thanks Dead sled... The system is already built. I'm posting pictures as I get a chance.


Here's the layout for the fish tank and filters...

http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131457_zps66a1effd.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131457_zps66a1effd.jpg.html)


This is the radial flow with a drain installed...


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131456_zps8f33788e.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131456_zps8f33788e.jpg.html)


Here's another shot where you can see the bio filter (2nd tank). The water drains from it and goes to the rock beds, which one can be seen in the background....


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131457b_zps82d568e2.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1114131457b_zps82d568e2.jpg.html)


Here's the (clean) sump. It's a 55 gal barrel that we buried in the ground...it pumps back to the fish tank. Note the spray bar...


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1121131634a_zps56563e2e.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1121131634a_zps56563e2e.jpg.html)


The sump is to the right, just out of site in this picture. This was the last time I saw the system. We had the water actually flowing through the 2 troughs with liners....


http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/davidstcldfl/Mobile%20Uploads/1121131634_zps7462520a.jpg (http://s931.photobucket.com/user/davidstcldfl/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1121131634_zps7462520a.jpg.html)

[samtheman]

Nice!

What kind of plastic are they using for the grow beds?

[davidstcldfl]

The liner is Dura skrim...20 mill