Hello from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

[R.M. Bartlett]

Hello,

I have recently become interested in Aquaponics. My wife and I are looking at using Travis Hughey's system as a starter unit in our basement.

Mike

[keith_r]

i started with travis' barrelponics.. i think it's awesome, even moved mine into the basement after the first summer.. if i had it to do over, i'd do away with the flush tank, it's nice, and does the job, the top tank acts like a setting tank.. but i've had quite a few of the steel leaders break (the line that pulls the flush valve up, connected to the bottle)
external loop siphons are good for a half barrel gb..

[commander]

My first system is based on Travis' barrelponics design. However, I used bell siphons in the grow beds and did away with the undergravel drain. I also replaced the upper tank with a swirl filter half filled with polyester filter media. I think it simplified the system even more and makes it more adaptable.

[R.M. Bartlett]

Thanks. I'll look into this. I figure Travis' system is a good learning system.

[davidstcldfl]

Hi Mike, welcome to the forum....

[Jeff]

I just wanted to welcome you to the forums. I'm new here too, but this place is full of so many helpful people and useful information. I look forward to seeing how your system comes along!

[keith_r]

regarding the siphons, i only bring up the external siphons because with barrels, you're already limited in your growing area.. an external siphon saves a little bit of valuable real estate in the gb.. use a 4" drainage tile cut in half to provide an opening so that you can clear roots out when they make there way to the drain

[urbanfarmer]

Greetings Earthling, and welcome to the addiction!

[commander]

I agree that the bell siphons take up a lot of room. Since I use the blue barrel system as a test bed, I am not to worried about the loss of space. I can always add an additional grow bed if I want more planting space. Right now I am experimenting with a swirl filter built into a 35 gallon plastic barrel. Seems to be work well and has given the system some temperature stability with the additional water volume.

[R.M. Bartlett]

Thanks all for the advice and the words of welcome.