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mespe
03-17-2011, 07:00 PM
Hi all, I wanted to share the construction of my AP project. It will be a CHIFT PIST setup with flood&drain using two autosiphons (one for each grow bed) and a valve to toggle flow between the two GBs. I will include pictures and prices and be happy to answer any questions.

I located a 50 gallon aquarium on craigslist for $20.00. Wasn't too bad, kinda dirty, gave it a good cleaning with ammonia. It was fun finding a diamond hole saw, and I wasn't about to wait for something in the mail. True Value had a 1 3/8 diamond hole saw (Brutus No. 10569 - it doesn't say it works on glass, but it worked great $21.24 [total to date 41.24]), with a guide and some doubleback sticky tape. I must admit, the thing worked like a charm. Highly recommend.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4723&stc=1

Place the tank on it's side (tall wise) drill the hole from the inside of the tank so that you have a smooth surface ensuring a good seal. the two sides are much thinner material than the long piece of glass.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4724&stc=1

When drilling, do not apply much pressure, let the drill do the work. Be extra careful towards the end, so that you don't chip alot of the hole's outer edge.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4725&stc=1

mespe
03-17-2011, 07:06 PM
OK, there's a max of 3 pictures per post, so guess I need to break it up a little bit,,,

Here's a picture of the newly drilled hole, after I righted the tank.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4726&stc=1

I purchased some PVC fittings, the one inch threaded adapters wound up being the perfect fit. Lowes p/n 436010 and 435010. I had a rubber gasket already, but you'll need one, plus an elbow and a feed tube. Along with some glue - total spent at lowes 6.94 [ttd $48.18]

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4727&stc=1

Insert the larger diameter fitting (happens to be the female) with the rubber gasket on the inside of the aquarium. Thread the male one inch fitting on the outside of the tank.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4728&stc=1

mespe
03-17-2011, 07:09 PM
Now for the pickup or feed tube on the inside of the aquarium. I decided to try 1/2 inch PVC hoping that a faster flow will pick up more solids. I aimed the pickup tube towards the corner of the tank. Here's where I finished up tonight.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2803&stc=1

Hopefully tomorrow I get some plumbing, pumps, and tanks.

rfeiller
03-17-2011, 10:59 PM
welcome mespe, using pvc fittings certainly is less costly than bulkhead fittings a little more challenging to make leakproof.
keep us posted on your progress.

JCO
03-18-2011, 05:25 AM
Don't know what your tank was built from but you were extremely lucky because most are constructed of tempered glass which cannot be drilled WITHOUT SHATTERING. LUCKY... :mrgreen:

keith_r
03-18-2011, 05:51 AM
i think you might want your pickup tube to be at least 1"... with it being 1/2", you might be creating a little to much "suction"
only one way to find out though! good luck and keep us up to date

mespe
03-18-2011, 06:32 AM
Don't know what your tank was built from but you were extremely lucky because most are constructed of tempered glass which cannot be drilled WITHOUT SHATTERING. LUCKY... :mrgreen:
I hope I don't find that out when I fill it with water. :shock:

mespe
03-18-2011, 10:50 AM
i think you might want your pickup tube to be at least 1"... with it being 1/2", you might be creating a little to much "suction"
only one way to find out though! good luck and keep us up to date
Oh how right you are, the 1/2 pipe couldn't keep up with the flow, so one inch it is.

Here are a few pictures with water running through the system so far [ttd= 48.18+ 5.16 (lowes) + 20 (two 160 GPH pumps) = 73.34]

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4729&stc=1

and another view

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4730&stc=1

mespe
03-18-2011, 10:56 AM
Now for the lettuce trough,,, 3 inch PVC Pipe surrounding the FT

Here's the effluent side Kinda hard going from 3 inch to 1 inch without a bunch of adapters,,,

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4731&stc=1

Now the view that makes sense.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4732&stc=1

The 3 inch PVC will be directly below the FT discharge pipe.

I haven't drilled the holes yet, not sure how far apart they need to be, am also considering adding holes in the elbows to add a couple more plants.

I didn't want to pay $4 for a 3 in ch end cap, when a $2.81 90 degree elbow will accomplish the same thing, and allow me to view water height in the lettuce trough. [ttd= 73.34 + $25.76 = $99.10]

Next I guess is going to be the FT/Lettuce trough stand, so I'll get to use my skill saw and mitre saw :ugeek:

mespe
03-18-2011, 04:46 PM
Think I found my sump tank

http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop. ... totCount=0 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-7100532dt.jpg&displayTab=enh&productId=3969590&totCount=0)

I figure if I pad the pool, and don't have little kids play in it, it should last a good long while, or atleast until a suitable replacement is found, something shallow,,,

rfeiller
03-20-2011, 01:28 PM
all-glass-aquariums have tempered bottoms, this looks like an AGA aquarium, have drilled several hundred AGA's. if the glass crumbles it will do that immediately as soon as you score it with the bit.

mespe
03-20-2011, 06:25 PM
Making Progress, Got my barrels,,,

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4733&stc=1

Took everythin home, here's where my AP systems going to reside. The grill's normally in the corner, but when we had a foot of snow on the ground, I moved it a little closer to the door.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4734&stc=1

Got some good use out of my chop saw today,,,

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4735&stc=1


I need to add a cross brace on the GB, there's alot of weight with all them stones.
so far, that's 2 cubic feet.

I was lucky and found a 4 foot piece of the corrogated drain tile it's in there too, as is a 3/4 inch drain going to a 1/2 PVC pipe to an auto syphon to be mounted between the two GBs.

Spent way too much money yesterday and today,,,

OK I got a question, when I take a pH ammonia nitrite and nitrate reading, which water gets tested? the FT water or the sump water?

keith_r
03-21-2011, 06:15 AM
whichever water you test, always test from the same spot.. i've read of people testing from the ft, from the outflow of the gb, and from the sump.. i test from the ft, but as noted, it's a matter of preference, just be consistant as you can (same time of day, same source, etc)
you might want to put a strap across the middle of your growbed, or it will "bow" out..
where'd you get your barrels and how much? (i'm thinking of making a few more gb's) - there was a guy on craigslist in mentor a while ago that was selling them for $15
looking good mespe!

mespe
03-21-2011, 02:18 PM
he went up to $20 apiece, there's someone on the west side that has barrels for $15 each. I plan on putting a support underneath the angled 2x4's and am considering framing around the tops of the GBs. A buddy offered me some fish from his pond, I might take him up on his offer.

Tonight I hope to finish up atleast the one GB, and tinker with the autosiphon.

keith_r
03-21-2011, 04:06 PM
that might have a tendency to collapse when the water level drops..you'll need some kind of braces
is your pump going in the sump? you need to leave enough water so that it's not suckin air...
maybe a "tote" type thing with some kind of frame?
are you adding filtration? you'll need something, or solids will cause some ugly stuff with your roots..

mespe
03-24-2011, 07:22 AM
The sump is going to be that 3 foot by 8 inch kiddie pool underneath the GB's, and yes pump is in the sump. I will probably add braces for the framing so that I can enclose everything in plastic for a greenhouse.

So I need to put something inline to trap the solids? Can't they just sit in the 3 1/2 pipe where they will be trapped by the 3 1/2- 1 1/2 reducer? I take it the solid sink. I can easily add something to trap them at the FT overflow. Sure am glad I'm going small scale first.

I cleaned the gravel/lava rock by pumping water into the GB, let the autosiphon draw the water out, let the slurry settle (4-8 hours) pump again, and repeat. I thought I would filter with a 10 micron filter sock, but apparantly silt is finer than 10 microns.

3.5 cu ft of rock per grow bed = $30

Here's a picture where I added the cross brace to support the weight of the GB's

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2829&stc=1

It's going to be below freezing the next several days, and since I don't like to work in the cold, and I don't want to run the risk of breaking the FT due to freezing water I might slow down a bit on this project,,, well see.

urbanfarmer
03-24-2011, 11:05 AM
Don't know what your tank was built from but you were extremely lucky because most are constructed of tempered glass which cannot be drilled WITHOUT SHATTERING. LUCKY... :mrgreen:
I was just thinking that when I saw it, but the ones sold around here usually only have the bottom glass tempered. He's lucky he didn't drill through that!!! :lol:

urbanfarmer
03-24-2011, 11:07 AM
Hm, not sure if it's like that up there, but around here they have 2x4x8 treated lumber for $1.96 at all the home improvement stores, which is a buck cheaper than the untreated studs they sell... just a thought!

keith_r
03-24-2011, 11:11 AM
i don't think that's a good idea unless you reinforce the sides somehow so that it doesn't collapse when the water is pumped out

mespe
04-10-2011, 11:57 AM
Sorry for the delay, but been rather busy at work, and the weather wasn't cooperating with my AP build.

Here's the completed system, more or less I guess

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2866&stc=1

mespe
04-10-2011, 01:25 PM
Here are some close ups of the bottles and what they do.

As the diet coke bottle fills up, the weight causes it to pull on a fishing line (25 lb test) which, through a series of pulleys closes the valve (small black thing in the picture in the previous post.

It also aerates the water, I think pretty good. there are 6 holes drilled in the bottom of the diet coke bottle, that allow for drainage and aeration.

When the valve is closed, water is forced up the 2 45 degree elbows and flows into the left grow bed. When the auto-siphon kicks in, it fills up a Pepsi bottle and eventually opens the valve, allowing water back into the right side grow bed.

Don't have water in the FT yet, as I have some more gluing to do on the 3 1/2 PVC Trough.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4747&stc=1

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4755&stc=1

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4756&stc=1

keith_r
04-11-2011, 05:48 AM
nice diy sequencing valve! what kind of valve is it?
how about this warm weather? back into the 40's tonight though
how does that sump hold up when the water level is low?

mespe
04-11-2011, 06:56 AM
The valve is a automotive heater valve used on a Mercedes 190e, it was originally vacuum operated. When I make another, I think that I will move the auto siphon outlet to the rear of the GB to elminate some pulleys. The sump is fine, it even overflowed when I turned the pump off and it siphoned water from the FT.

I've not had success attaching the valve to the PVC. PVC glue doesn't stick to the valve plastic. looks like it might be a job for JB weld, or maybe jsut stick a screw through teh PVC into the valve plastic. shouldn't be a problem if it leaks a littlem as it will leak into the GB

Since it's sequential (meaning less water because only one GB fills at a time), I will keep the sump as full as possible. the size of the pool is perfect, just wish it was hard plastic insteasd of vinyl.

mespe
04-11-2011, 06:59 AM
Hm, not sure if it's like that up there, but around here they have 2x4x8 treated lumber for $1.96 at all the home improvement stores, which is a buck cheaper than the untreated studs they sell... just a thought!

The last thing I wanted to use was treated lumber. Way too much water will work its way from the wood to the fish, treated wood has nasty stuff in it. Since this is a closed system, and leaching chemical will quickly accumulate in the water.

mespe
04-14-2011, 01:34 PM
The 2 liter switch-over valve seems to be working fine, been running non-stop for 4 days and no hickups. now to get some fish,,,

urbanfarmer
04-14-2011, 06:08 PM
Excellent work sir.

keith_r
04-15-2011, 05:49 AM
i started cycling my system with a couple dozen minnows from the bait shop..was told they wouldn't survive in a tank, but they did fine
(until i put the perch in)

have you decided what fish you'll be using?

mespe
04-16-2011, 05:34 AM
I called Butch up, apparantly he knows big Al, as soon as I mentioned aquaponics, he started chuckling and said something about alot of calls about fish for aquaponics.

I'm going with bluegill I think, haven't decided if I'm going to a pond, or buying them, I guess it depends upon cost. Some hatcheries charge $60/100 don't know how much 10 are going to cost. 10 should be a good number for a 50 gallon tank, no? Or can I get by with more?

I primed the system with some seagreen, changed the color of water to something murky looking. I would imagine after the water cleans up, I should be good to go.

I did have some sequencing problems, because the pulley for the left tank was pulling on the valve's lever at an angle and it wasn't fully opening the valve, at which point both GBs were getting water and the autosiphons were siphoning as fast as they could.

No overflows, just not sequencing.

Also noticed after the addition of seagreen, that some foaming is occurring at the water entry points of the GB's when the water level is towrads the high side.

mespe
04-16-2011, 05:42 AM
I put some seeds and cotton balls in the lettuce cups, covered them with cellophane. Also pulled a few small lettuce seedlings from my lettuce box and put them in cups with cotton balls. Probably to early for the seedlings, as I'm not providing them any nutrients (no fish in tank)

I also planted some kidney beans and black eye peas that I robbed from my wife's pantry in the kitchen. seeds don't need any nutrients to sprout, so I figure they might sprout by the time I get fish. I promised my wife to eat 6 less kidney beans at the next meal. Can't wait to see some green in my GBs, fish or no fish.

keith_r
04-16-2011, 08:41 AM
butch is a good guy, i got 15 bluegill, a couple dozen crayfish and a sucker fish for something like 30 bucks from him, but the bg are mixed (green sunfish, and regular bg)
i had 25 yellow perch delivered for around 50 (woulda cost me more to drive to the fishery near dayton)
i had plants in before i had fish, i cycled with aged humonia

Big Al
04-16-2011, 07:07 PM
hi mespe, yeah butch is a good guy. he's got real good hardy fish. and he'll probably
deliver them to you. i keep trying to find time to get hooked up with you to show you
around. we are constantly on the run until dark everynight. my kids are in baseball,track,
and golf. well got to go. later Big Al

mespe
04-24-2011, 09:27 AM
WE GOT FISH!

I netted a couple blue gill from a friends pond. Wanted more, but the water was murky and the fish didn't get excited about the bread we threw in the pond. So now I have 2 bluegill in my 50 gallon tank. They seem kinda lonely, but I don't want to overload the system with ammonia.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4748&stc=1

keith_r
04-25-2011, 05:41 AM
that's a good way to start cycling the system.. i started cycling mine with minnows last year

urbanfarmer
04-25-2011, 02:38 PM
I have NEVER seen one THAT BIG!!! and, if I ever did I would eat it immediately. It would never make it to the tanks! HAHAHA :lol:

keith_r
04-26-2011, 05:50 AM
really? wanna see some big 'gills, check out bigbluegill.com..
or search for the "condello strain" bluegill.. about a pound in a year.. not hybrids!

mespe
04-26-2011, 03:20 PM
The fish came out of my buddy's pond. he dug the pond maybe 10 years ago, and I guess ducks populated it with fish. He thinks he migth have some small mouth bass in the pond too.

Fish have been in the tank for 3 days nw, and no floaters, I'm doing good. now to feed them. I was a nice host and in the rain yesterday picked up a few worms from the sidewalk. bought some kitten food, it might be rough getting them to eat kitten food, but it's got about 40% protein.

keith_r
04-27-2011, 05:15 AM
i've got some silvercup my gills do fine with - it's 42% protein i think, 2 or 3 mm.. i can fill you a gallon bag for a couple bucks, just let me know

mespe
04-30-2011, 06:49 AM
Added a FT heater, got down to frost levels last night, the two fishies hung around the heater mst of the night. I think I might have a pair of fish, or a couple, i.e 1 male one female. I noticed that one of them has much more pronounced vertical stripes than the other. The one without the pronouned stripes has been staying in the 3 1/2 inch PVC hotel, while the pronounced stripes has been at the other end of the tank near the pickup tube. I've also seen the female (larger of the my two fish) swim up to the male and bump fish lips to fish lips, I wonder if there is some affection there.

I'm having problems with the sequencing, when the water level in the sump is too high, the 2 liter bottles down have as much pull. I also noticed that the valve was twisting as I could not find any glue that sticks to both PVC, and the black plastic of the valve, so I put a small screw in and that has prevented it from twisting.

I also noticed that if the bobbin pulleys are out of alignment, the sequencing is disrupted. Thing I'm going to have to re-engineer the sequencing.

mespe
05-02-2011, 05:55 AM
The sequencing has improved after I increased the strength of the hardware as can be seen in the following pictures.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4753&stc=1

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4754&stc=1


And here's a picture of my lettuce.

http://www.diyaquaponics.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4752&stc=1

mespe
05-02-2011, 06:03 AM
And my two fishy's

HPIM6212.JPG
4832


HPIM6225.JPG
4833

The top one is the one I believe to be female, and the bottom picture is the one I'm thinking is male. The top picture the fish is not spooked easily, in fact she comes to see me. The male is easily spooked.

As you can tell, the water has started to get murky, what to do?

mespe
05-03-2011, 04:28 AM
Here's a GIf of the bottle filling up

[attachment=0:3s2z50xg]bottles.GIF[/attachment:3s2z50xg]

Don't know why the color is skewed in all but the first frame, I give up,,,

On a side note, the pulleys (not pictured yet) that change from vertical to horizontal going to the bottles moved on me and the sequencing stopped, as the bobbins were catching on the 1/4 inbetween the GBs.

I put one worm in the RGB (Right Grow Bed) it's the GB that will accumulate most solids, if not all.

urbanfarmer
05-03-2011, 05:06 AM
Think I found my sump tank

http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop. ... totCount=0 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-7100532dt.jpg&displayTab=enh&productId=3969590&totCount=0)

I figure if I pad the pool, and don't have little kids play in it, it should last a good long while, or atleast until a suitable replacement is found, something shallow,,,

500 gallons for $25 free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Sn ... 00005O6TY/ (http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Snapset-Pool/dp/B00005O6TY/)

mespe
05-03-2011, 10:23 AM
Think I found my sump tank

http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop. ... totCount=0 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-7100532dt.jpg&displayTab=enh&productId=3969590&totCount=0)

I figure if I pad the pool, and don't have little kids play in it, it should last a good long while, or atleast until a suitable replacement is found, something shallow,,,

500 gallons for $25 free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Sn ... 00005O6TY/ (http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Snapset-Pool/dp/B00005O6TY/)
Don't waste your time or money, the vinyl pool won't work. It leaked. Kmart has a solid plastic pool for about $12 about the same size.

urbanfarmer
05-04-2011, 04:42 PM
Think I found my sump tank

http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop. ... totCount=0 (http://www.toysrus.com/product/prodpop.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//TRUS.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-7100532dt.jpg&displayTab=enh&productId=3969590&totCount=0)

I figure if I pad the pool, and don't have little kids play in it, it should last a good long while, or atleast until a suitable replacement is found, something shallow,,,

500 gallons for $25 free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Sn ... 00005O6TY/ (http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Sun-Fish-Snapset-Pool/dp/B00005O6TY/)
Don't waste your time or money, the vinyl pool won't work. It leaked. Kmart has a solid plastic pool for about $12 about the same size.
HEEEEEY THANKS!!! :D I WILL CHECK THAT OUT.

Mine hasn't leaked yet, but believe me, it has been on my mind! I am worried it will just pop. I can see the undergrowth in the liner, and it's not all that thick... The only good thing I can say is I checked with the company, and they assured me it is untreated vinyl that is safe for potable water. I don't have documentation on that, just the word of the customer support rep on the other line. He was American... but hey that could be good or bad I guess!!! LOL :lol: :lol: :lol:

urbanfarmer
05-04-2011, 04:51 PM
I couldn't find it on Kmart's website. I can only find: http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/al ... 30454.html (http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/all-pools-pool-packages/30454.html)

$159.99 for 12x of them, but they only hold 240 gallons. About $14 a piece...

I can check my local store at a later date, but any ideas?

mespe
05-04-2011, 05:02 PM
I couldn't find it on Kmart's website. I can only find: http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/al ... 30454.html (http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/all-pools-pool-packages/30454.html)

$159.99 for 12x of them, but they only hold 240 gallons. About $14 a piece...

I can check my local store at a later date, but any ideas?
I know, I looked for it online, but it wasn't there, it's a seasonal thing, when I first started Kmart didn't have them in yet. They are in now, they have a bigger plastic pool too, but it wouldn't fit under 2 GBs.


IMPORTANT LESSON: Make sure that you ALLWAYS have enough ready to go water, incase you develope a leak. When I cleaned the solids out today, water started overflowing in the lettuce trough, to the point where the pump was running dry because the sump emptied. I had too, gulp add chlorinated water to the sump, because there was not enough water in the blue rain barrel that I have. I turned the pump off and plugged in the aerator, hoping that some of the cholorine will off-gas before I kill all the bacteria that I've worked so hard to establish.

urbanfarmer
05-04-2011, 06:24 PM
You should have put water in the rain barrel and put a bubbler in there. After a few hours it should reduce the chlorine quite a bit. If you only have chlorine in your water, you can make an emergency fill filter type thing out of carbon and PVC (thicker and longer is better, as you already know). I used to keep one handy for such events. But...

I found my water doesn't hurt my bacteria or system (at least I can't notice anything). I have emptied and refilled the whole thing with no side effects. I can add a bunch of ammonia/urea right after and it cycles under the load no problem. I have goldfish in the system I am talking about, and they are TOUGH. They have been selected to survive the TOUGH conditions of my negligence. By selected, I mean they were TOUGH enough to handle the extreme ammonia, temperature, nitrite, and chlorine spikes. They have also made babies; so, if anyone wants some TOUGH fingerlings let me know! LOL (I'm not really selling them, they are too hard to catch). Did I mention my fish are TOUGH?!? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Tilapia sized goldfish...
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7364/sspx0075.jpg

keith_r
05-05-2011, 05:41 AM
i did a 50% water change last summer with tap water, and 1 "bigger" top off after a leak (maybe 75%!),, bluegill and perch were fine
after that i did keep a couple 5 gallon buckets with bubblers going

samtheman
05-05-2011, 06:53 AM
I have been using this inline garden hose filter that I bought at Camping World to remove the chlorine :

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... ilter/7225 (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/systems-iv-exterior-water-filter/7225)

I have used it on my pond and my fish tanks for a while now with no issues.

urbanfarmer
05-05-2011, 08:06 AM
I have been using this inline garden hose filter that I bought at Camping World to remove the chlorine :

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... ilter/7225 (http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/systems-iv-exterior-water-filter/7225)

I have used it on my pond and my fish tanks for a while now with no issues.
EXCELLENT FIND! This will definitely come in handy!

urbanfarmer
05-05-2011, 08:12 AM
i did a 50% water change last summer with tap water, and 1 "bigger" top off after a leak (maybe 75%!),, bluegill and perch were fine
after that i did keep a couple 5 gallon buckets with bubblers going

The Most Polluted Communities in Ohio (you are #7)
http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyou ... -chloride/ (http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/2964/OH//Dichloromethane-methylene-chloride/)

Fairport Harbor Village Pws - Willoughby, OH
http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyou ... s/4300411/ (http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/OH/Fairport-Harbor-Village-Pws/4300411/)

I was trying to find some info on your water, but I found that.

keith_r
05-05-2011, 09:03 AM
yeah, my father used to run the water plant in fairport.. pretty interesting stuff..

urbanfarmer
05-05-2011, 09:04 AM
Man, and people wonder why everyone is sicker nowadays than 100 years ago...

JCO
05-06-2011, 06:26 PM
They are constantly trying to find way of getting the chemicals out of the water after we use it that they put in there before we used it. A 100 years ago, no chemicals in, no chemicals out...no problem :mrgreen:

urbanfarmer
05-06-2011, 07:43 PM
They are constantly trying to find way of getting the chemicals out of the water after we use it that they put in there before we used it. A 100 years ago, no chemicals in, no chemicals out...no problem :mrgreen:
Amen to that!

mespe
05-08-2011, 06:40 AM
Well, the female fish kept picking on the smaller fish, so I wanted to add more bluegill to the tank. So I went fishing in the town's pond. Apparantly I found me one heck of a fishing hole,,, check out what I added.

[attachment=0:oci8hgyv]bigfish.jpg[/attachment:oci8hgyv]

mespe
05-08-2011, 06:47 AM
I pulled up a couple brussel sprout plants that self seeded in the garden. I put them in the GB's.

Here's a picture of the Broccoli
[attachment=1:3vi92spa]broccoli1.jpg[/attachment:3vi92spa]


Here's a picture of it when the sequencer got stuck on GB #1

[attachment=0:3vi92spa]broccoli2.jpg[/attachment:3vi92spa]

Luckily overnight the broccole came back from being half-dead, and looks like this again.

[attachment=1:3vi92spa]broccoli1.jpg[/attachment:3vi92spa]

keith_r
05-08-2011, 07:05 AM
that's a good size bg!
i just got some more silvercup fish food, if you want some let me know.. it's about .70/lb

urbanfarmer
05-08-2011, 09:37 AM
That looks ready to eat!!!

mespe
05-08-2011, 03:00 PM
Yeah, I could probably use a couple pounds of the fish food, i just started a worm bin and It's going to be aq few weeks before I can start pulling out the works to feed the fish.

mespe
05-08-2011, 03:04 PM
That looks ready to eat!!!
yeah about 8 inches are so. Kinda dwarfs the other two fish,,, like i said, I found THE pound to fish in. It's a city pond, but unfortunatley, it's surrounded by residences.

urbanfarmer
05-09-2011, 02:35 PM
That looks ready to eat!!!
yeah about 8 inches are so. Kinda dwarfs the other two fish,,, like i said, I found THE pound to fish in. It's a city pond, but unfortunatley, it's surrounded by residences.
Ah, no EAT for you! :lol: At least you can eat their babies! :lol: :lol:

mespe
05-13-2011, 05:12 AM
Been busy with the AP project, here's the latest picture of the setup.

[attachment=1:3cfu4p1r]21.jpg[/attachment:3cfu4p1r]

I gave the FT a coat of black paint first, then covered with white. The algae was getting real bad. I will soon need to clean the sump of algae, and after I get the sequencing consistantly working as it should, I will cover the bottom portion.

The fill a two liter bottle works OK, but when the water level rises sometimes the bottel doesn't have enough dead weight to completely move open/close the valve.

I've conceived up the idea of using pnuematics, which I think will be alot more reliable than the bottle and string. I'm currently waiting for the cement to dry, hopefully later today I can give it a go.

Here's the lettuce. the yogurt cups need alot more water movement, so I cut slots on the bottom.
[attachment=0:3cfu4p1r]lettuce2.JPG[/attachment:3cfu4p1r]

Added a couple more fish the other day, told the wife I was needed to work on the AP system, so I went fishing. I didn't go to the killer pond because eventhough it is city owned, it's surrounded by private homes, and I don't know anyone - yet.

So I went to the city park, which has a large stocked pond. I caught 2 fish after about an hour, the first was a largemouth bass weighing in at about 3 oz. I felt badly pulling him in, but the thought of growing him out is apealing. The other was a 4 inch BG. Total fish now = 5, no floaters.

Started a worm bin to feed the fish, I've started hand feeding them works, make them come to the top and grap it out of my hand.

keith_r
05-13-2011, 05:26 AM
i'll get a bag of food for you this weekend..the store around the corner will weigh it for me, the cost is .65/lb
regarding the largemouth.. they have a really high fcr, close to 10:1... so you need to feed him 10lbs of food for every one pound gained! maybe a pellet diet will be better though.. good luck and let us know how he does!
the stepdaugher's graduation is saturday, so maybe i can come by sunday afternoon with the food

mespe
05-13-2011, 09:02 AM
You have a store around the corner from you that makes blue gill food? What's the minimum he'll sell? Is it dry? How long does it store? The big blue gill that I caught last Friday still hasn't eaten - that I have seen. he just sits in the corner, treading water by the pick up tube. The first two I got are very active and will snatch worms out of my hands. I'm hoping the others "learn" to be hand fed.

Due to the recent rain, the sump pool has more water in it. The sequencing got messed up because the Pepsi bottle's bottom was under water and I need every bit of that 4 lbs tugging at the valve.

I hope to change over to pnuematics tonite after it cools off and the sun goes down.

keith_r
05-13-2011, 10:48 AM
i just bought 50lbs of food.. i was just gonna give you some @ my cost.. just getting it weighed at the store..
i have 2.5mm pellets, and 4.5mm pellets, both are high protein game fish food by Silvercup, i store it in plastic bins in a cool dry area, should last a few months..
when you start feed training, take some of the dry pellets and put in a baggie with water (about 2:1 pellets to water) and soak overnight in the fridge,, give them a squeeze gently and they'll sink.. i'll bag you up a mix of both sizes

mespe
05-29-2011, 01:23 PM
Well I believe I got the sequencing to work 100%. Firstly the threaded screws didn't work, needed to be bar stock. Secondly, the angles of the bobbins at the directional change points needs to be perfect, otherwise the bobbins slide down the bar stock to the point where the torque required to move the fishing line is too great. I'll snap some pictures to show you what I mean.

The water is excessively murky, I think I've been over feeding the fish,,,

mespe
06-01-2011, 06:13 PM
:cry: Lost a BG today. The biggest one. yesterday I noticed he was kinda swimming near the top gulping air. I think he was broken hearted because he never really swam much, just threaded water near the pickup tube.

mespe
06-11-2011, 05:26 PM
Went to work on my aquaponics today,,, caught 5 more bluegill, so I now have 10 BG 2 LMB.

mespe
06-12-2011, 08:53 AM
Got some growth going on.[attachment=0:2ppz6tdy]HPIM6564a.jpg[/attachment:2ppz6tdy]

keith_r
06-12-2011, 12:42 PM
lookin good!

urbanfarmer
06-12-2011, 05:24 PM
lookin good!
Agreed!

keith_r
06-13-2011, 05:25 AM
Twice in a month! :shock:

:lol:

mespe
06-13-2011, 06:24 AM
I'm guessing that my AP system "cycled" the water was murky for awhile, then all of a sudden, it cleaned up. total of 12 fish varying in size from 3 inches to 6 inches. None of the plants in the AP system are currently growing as fast as what I put in the ground. But I'm hoping that with the added fish, growth will accelerate. Time will tell.

The sequencing is going really well. If I do it again, I'll probably put the bobbins in some channel aluminum. The bobbins must be as close to perpendicular as possible, otherwise they end up at one end of the metal rod that holds them.

I put a drain valve at the end of the lettuce trough. I can collect solids by opening/closing the valve, which increases the flow rate, and moves more water quicker through the trough. I use that water to water potted plants. My Lemon tree has about 50 flowers on it!

mespe
06-14-2011, 06:27 AM
Replaced the 25lb fishing line with mason's string, as the fishing line broke, once again. Also, my honey bees, seem to like the water that leaks out of the valve slowly.

JCO
06-14-2011, 02:08 PM
I've went to classes and read everything I could buy on Honey Bees and have sworn for years (about 30 or so) I was going to get a couple hives set up but still BeeLess.... :mrgreen:

mespe
06-15-2011, 08:16 AM
I've went to classes and read everything I could buy on Honey Bees and have sworn for years (about 30 or so) I was going to get a couple hives set up but still BeeLess.... :mrgreen:
you just need an incentive, or two. My incentive for the bees includes one of the same incentives for my AP system - the failing economy and the very possible threat of hyper-inflation.
As far as bees, the county bee inspector has been wonderfully helpfull, in all aspects ever imaginable, in my beekeeping hobby.

mespe
06-15-2011, 08:27 AM
Wow look at the difference 2 days makes,,,[attachment=2:jpdnotri]HPIM6586a.jpg[/attachment:jpdnotri]

[attachment=0:jpdnotri]HPIM6581a.jpg[/attachment:jpdnotri]


[attachment=1:jpdnotri]HPIM6580a.jpg[/attachment:jpdnotri]

keith_r
06-15-2011, 10:21 AM
cooperating weather and more fish does the trick!

JCO
06-15-2011, 10:54 AM
Tell the truth, how many times have you been stung by your bees when you are working the hive/s..? :mrgreen:

mespe
06-17-2011, 12:03 PM
Tell the truth, how many times have you been stung by your bees when you are working the hive/s..? :mrgreen:
Seeing how I've only worked the hive about 5 times (opening the top and jsut peeking in doesn't count) I can honestly say that I have not gotten stung. My bees seem very non-aggressive and don't seem to mind me when I'm out there. Now I know for a fact that if I accidentally pinch a bee, it will sting me, so just got to bee careful.

mespe
06-19-2011, 05:24 AM
"Worked on my AP system" yesterday (went fishing) my ft now supports 5 largemouth bass and 17 BG (one seems to be a hybrid, it's got all kinds of neat colors, alot of blue specks, and very lively. (put up a good fight when caught) I also put some cantelope seedlings that sprouted in the garden in the left GB, so it should start looking lively soon.

[attachment=2:1qdr3szb]HPIM6589a.jpg[/attachment:1qdr3szb]
[attachment=1:1qdr3szb]HPIM6590a.jpg[/attachment:1qdr3szb]
[attachment=0:1qdr3szb]HPIM6592a.jpg[/attachment:1qdr3szb]

davidstcldfl
06-19-2011, 05:41 AM
it will sting me, so just got to bee careful.
'bee' carefull..... :lol: :lol:
Yeah, I've always wanted some bees too.

Congrats mespe, your system. really is looking nice.... :D

mespe
06-19-2011, 08:01 AM
it will sting me, so just got to bee careful.
'bee' carefull..... :lol: :lol:
Yeah, I've always wanted some bees too.

Congrats mespe, your system. really is looking nice.... :D
Thanks David, I spent quite a bit of time on getting the sequencing going. It seems to be working great. Point is, if you're going to use 2 liter bottles to open/close a valve, make certain that all pulleys are perpindicular or parrellel. Maybe build the GB's around the sequencing portion, instead of the other way around, like I did.

mespe
06-27-2011, 07:09 AM
latest pic

[attachment=0:3s1lty5f]HPIM6703a.jpg[/attachment:3s1lty5f]

davidstcldfl
06-27-2011, 07:47 AM
Looks like it's filling in nicely ... :D

keith_r
06-27-2011, 10:00 AM
yeah it does! good work!

did you know that when you harvest your cabbage, if you cut it off right at the stalk, then cut a 1/2" (13mm) deep "cross" into the remaining plant's stalk, you can get a second harvest of smaller cabbages?

mespe
06-27-2011, 05:45 PM
Looks like it's filling in nicely ... :D
Yeah I can't believe how the growth (in the right GB) has taken off so well. Don't understand why the left GB is so weak. The sequencing has worked as it should ever since I replaced the fishing line with the 104 lb mason line. (see earlier psot) I wonder if the root density in the GB has anything to do with the amount of nutrients that remain in the GB after it empties.

I mean the same water flows through both sides, the left gets a little higher (maybe 1/4 inch) well anyway, I planted 3 cantelopes in the left GB, also stuck a piece of grapefruit tree that broke off when I moved the tree outdoors this spring. Wouldn't it be neat if it started putting out roots, but I'm not holding my breadth.

I have yet to measure anything. I have no idea what the pH is, ammonia, nitrites or nitrates.

I use a fly swatter to push the solids to the SLO pickup tube. I then need to lift the lettuce plants so that the solids flows past them (I should have used a 4 inch PVC pipe for the lettuce trough) when the solids make their way to the drain pipe, I quickly open and close the drain, I've gotten good at catching all the solids. If I miss some, then end up in the GB and many a time I've had to wiggle the GB drain pipes to unclog the solids, as they build up rather rapidly since the drain pipe empties directly into the gravel.

mespe
07-02-2011, 06:12 AM
Clean your sump pump weekly, otherwise algea buildup will limit the water flow to the point where the flow cannot overcome the amount needed to trigger the auto-siphon.

mespe
07-05-2011, 12:00 PM
Had a floater the other day, probably the one that nearly swallowed the hook. Got a little zuchinni growing, and a couple cucumbers.

samtheman
07-06-2011, 05:49 AM
Wow, your system is coming along real nice!! :)

mespe
07-08-2011, 06:28 PM
Wow, your system is coming along real nice!! :)
TY

mespe
07-11-2011, 04:37 AM
I added an algae eater to take care of the algae in the FT. I hope he's hungry, as there is quite a bit of it.

mespe
07-16-2011, 05:49 AM
Here's the latest pics, no pictures of the lettuce, as it's no longer lettuce.

[attachment=2:11motyif]HPIM6745a.jpg[/attachment:11motyif]

[attachment=1:11motyif]HPIM6748a.jpg[/attachment:11motyif]

[attachment=0:11motyif]HPIM6749a.jpg[/attachment:11motyif]

I've had several problems with leaves clogging the pump inlet, I need to put something together to prevent that from happening, because blockages will slwo the flow rate down to the point where the auto-siphon leakage is greater than the volume of water pumped, and the auto-siphon will never kick in.

mespe
07-18-2011, 06:36 AM
Here's a few pictures, including a baby watermelon, some tomatoes, and my honey bees drawing comb on the foundation, to fill with honey.

[attachment=2:1fpgdyqd]HPIM6753a.jpg[/attachment:1fpgdyqd]

[attachment=1:1fpgdyqd]HPIM6756a.jpg[/attachment:1fpgdyqd]

[attachment=0:1fpgdyqd]HPIM6760a.jpg[/attachment:1fpgdyqd]

mespe
07-30-2011, 06:18 AM
Well, my AP system is not producing as well as my garden. more zucchini in the garden, more tomatoes, more (and bigger water melon) but the plants are still alive. I lost another fish the other day, poor bugger jumped out of the tank when I wasn't looking
On the brighter side, I harvested some honey yesterday, mmm good

[attachment=0:1k18jnhc]7-29-11 019.jpg[/attachment:1k18jnhc]

JCO
07-30-2011, 06:45 PM
Now that's what I call a honey comb...beautiful :mrgreen:

rfeiller
07-31-2011, 11:08 AM
It took several months for my greeanhous system to "mature" I tend to go for instant. All of a sudden it was like a switch was turned on and everything started growing like crazy. The same thing has happened out doors.
It's difficult to be patient :)

mespe
08-01-2011, 05:51 AM
I've been having problems with algae slowing the pump down to the point the autosiphon doesn't kick in. And I should have used 4 inch pipe for the lettuce trough, as I'm frequently lifting the lettuce roots out of the water to let solid past.

JCO
08-01-2011, 06:24 AM
mespe you need a sump between your lettuce troughs and the FT to remove the solids before the water gets to the lettuce. :mrgreen:

mespe
08-06-2011, 07:55 AM
mespe you need a sump between your lettuce troughs and the FT to remove the solids before the water gets to the lettuce. :mrgreen:
I thought the lettuce roots were part of the bio-filtration, catching some of the solids.

davidstcldfl
08-06-2011, 08:18 AM
If I had to describe the work of a bio-filter, I would say ....it does help to remove 'some' solids, and, it gives surface area for the bacteria to live on.

So you are correct saying they are 'part of' the bio-filter. The roots end up giving a place for bacteria to live.

In NFT and DWC/raft sytems, it's best to keep the solids away from the roots. Clean roots seem to produce healthier plants.
Seems odd, when you think about plants in 'dirt'....it doesn't seem like their roots are 'clean'.... :?

cedarswamp
08-06-2011, 03:53 PM
mespe you need a sump between your lettuce troughs and the FT to remove the solids before the water gets to the lettuce. :mrgreen:
I thought the lettuce roots were part of the bio-filtration, catching some of the solids.


With solids on your roots you create an anerobic condition where the root can not get enough oxygen and are then prone to root rot.

mespe
08-07-2011, 05:23 AM
mespe you need a sump between your lettuce troughs and the FT to remove the solids before the water gets to the lettuce. :mrgreen:
I thought the lettuce roots were part of the bio-filtration, catching some of the solids.


With solids on your roots you create an anerobic condition where the root can not get enough oxygen and are then prone to root rot.

I didn't think this held true for lettuce, as lettuce is grown on floats in water. Maybe the fact that I've been having to pull the lettuce out of the trough daily to keep it from over flowing has something to do with all this,,,

JCO
08-07-2011, 06:08 AM
I didn't think this held true for lettuce, as lettuce is grown on floats in water. Maybe the fact that I've been having to pull the lettuce out of the trough daily to keep it from over flowing has something to do with all this,,,

Why would you have to pull the lettuce out of the trough daily to keep it (WHAT???) from overflowing??? Please explain how you have your raft system set up. It would be great to see some photos of it. Are you using a raft system or and NFT? Please add photos. :mrgreen:

mespe
08-08-2011, 04:21 AM
Why would you have to pull the lettuce out of the trough daily to keep it (WHAT???) from overflowing??? Please explain how you have your raft system set up. It would be great to see some photos of it. Are you using a raft system or and NFT? Please add photos. :mrgreen:
download/file.php?id=1002&mode=view (http://diyaquaponics.com/forum/download/file.php?id=1002&mode=view)

JCO
08-08-2011, 06:06 AM
You are using an NFT system and you definately have to have super .. SUPER ... clean water flowing through those pipes and no light entering them to keep them from clogging and/or forming alage :mrgreen:

mespe
08-09-2011, 05:41 AM
Well I upset my bees last night, four of them got the better of me,,, they've been so docile, maybe they're mad at me for stealing some honey,,,

mespe
03-19-2012, 08:33 AM
Filled the FT up with water from the sump. added some well water and took my son fishing. we caught 6 blue gill. Threw them in the FT, fired up the pump. Now I got to figure out a better way to toggle between the two GB's. I refuse to plug in anything other than the pump, so it's got to switch GBs from the water draining.

keith_r
03-19-2012, 09:02 AM
good to see you back up and running!

mespe
03-20-2012, 11:03 AM
Keith!!! I need to speak with you,,, I need some food, I tried calling around but cannot find where you got that food from.

I planted some beans yesterday in the GB, and I need to add some fish, but don't want to do that until I can locate somethign to feed the fish.

keith_r
03-20-2012, 11:32 AM
i've still got food.... see your pm

mespe
03-26-2012, 05:57 AM
Still using the 2 liter bottle system, but this time I put a 100 lb nylon pull string inside of some tubing, sorta like a bicycle brake cable, and it seems to work more repeatedly than the pully system first used.

I've got several plants (seedlings) in the GBs already, most just popped up from last year, not sure what is what, have a feeling there's some marigolds sprouting. I planted some bush beans, and one decided to sprout already, so that's a start, and I stuck some type of twig in one of the GBs last fall, not sure what it is, but it's got a couple green leaves and new growth.

Unfortunately, we're expecting freezing temps tonight, so I'll probably have to cover everything up tonight.

Added 4 more BG's to the FT, we're up to 10,,, 50 is the goal this year in a 50 gallon tank (most of the BGs any ordinary angler would throw them back in to grow up, but not me, I need them for their pooh.

Also planted some lettuce in the trough, haven't decided how I'm going to fix the overflow problem when the lettuce grows a good root system, I could probably just stick in a 1/2 pipe inside the trough on the bottom to ensure an unrestricted path for the water to flow.

hope to have some pictures soon.

mespe
03-27-2012, 07:01 AM
Here's a couple pictures I snapped yesterday

Here's whats growing.
[attachment=2:1qgt9sxa]aquaponics3-26-12.jpg[/attachment:1qgt9sxa]

Freeze warning,,, good thing the dryer vent is under that tarp.

[attachment=1:1qgt9sxa]covered3-26-12.jpg[/attachment:1qgt9sxa]

I put this strawberry in the GB last Fall, it stayed there with no water in the FT all winter and now it's got some flowers.

[attachment=0:1qgt9sxa]strawberry.jpg[/attachment:1qgt9sxa]

mespe
03-31-2012, 07:17 AM
Not happy with the 2 liter bottle switchover, anyone got any suggestions?

Bioritize
03-31-2012, 10:59 AM
Bell Siphon

mespe
04-07-2012, 04:55 AM
And how can I rig up a bell siphon to switch a valve from one GB to another?

On a side note, apparantly, with frost and overnight freezing condition, AP systems are ALOT more tolerant than plants in the ground. Seems that the heat from the constantly running water keeps the area warm enough to not cause freeze damage. I don't know how much below freezing it can get, and I suspect it depends on the FT water temp as well.

mespe
04-17-2012, 10:43 AM
I'm attempting to use vacuum to switch between the two GB's

I'm using a few Mercedes Benz central locking system vacuum elements and 1/2 of a 2 litre bottle. This might work alot bette than the 2 litre bottle and a string.

I maintain that I want to plug in only one device, and that is the pump, well the FT heater when it gets cold, but nothing else.

mespe
04-23-2012, 07:27 AM
So far the vacuum switchover setup is working great. It toggles flawlessly.

Here are some pix.

First the accumulator

[attachment=1:1rj33ffj]vac2litre.jpg[/attachment:1rj33ffj]

now one of two actuating elements

[attachment=2:1rj33ffj]vactoggle.jpg[/attachment:1rj33ffj]

And finally the toggle element hooked up to the valve.
[attachment=3:1rj33ffj]vacvalve.jpg[/attachment:1rj33ffj]


and I might make this my next FT

[attachment=0:1rj33ffj]well.jpg[/attachment:1rj33ffj]

mespe
04-22-2013, 08:51 AM
Made a video of the toggling between the two grow beds. I was rushed, so I think I'll do it again, just a little better this time.

It is here -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35cJm8t ... WQ&index=2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g35cJm8tG_A&list=UUJq7ZjAk-fPQ4dK2lFbtNWQ&index=2)

mespe
04-22-2013, 11:13 AM
And for those interested in the water well,,,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMMI8lft ... WQ&index=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMMI8lftMnU&list=UUJq7ZjAk-fPQ4dK2lFbtNWQ&index=1)

JCO
10-11-2013, 12:06 AM
Hey, how 'bout an update on how things have gone over the summer. Photos and howtos would be great. :mrgreen:

mespe
10-16-2013, 06:51 AM
The 50 gallon FT glass cracked when I bumped the goesouta pipe. Tried sealing it to no avail, the GBs are limping along with the old water. woring on a new setup,,,

JCO
10-18-2013, 07:35 AM
Sorry to hear about your aquarium ... POO happens. Keep us posted on your solution...photos please :mrgreen:

mespe
10-19-2013, 03:39 PM
Photos,,, It's been about a month since I had a fish tank,,, but plants are still alive,,,

[attachment=1:3cot46hw]IMG_6812a.jpg[/attachment:3cot46hw]

[attachment=0:3cot46hw]IMG_6813a.jpg[/attachment:3cot46hw]

JCO
10-19-2013, 11:21 PM
There is probably enough fish waste in the grow beds to maintain the bacteria for some time...all they need is water and it would help if it were ciruclates in some fashion to keep it aeroated. :mrgreen: