I am building a system - Update 5/5/13

[hawkiye]

Looking at the kiddie pools they would make an awesome raft system with the drain in the middle using a rotation system like a clock. So many ideas when people post pictures of things that could be used.

Another thing i like about them is they are not square. I am tired of all the "boxes" that permeate our lives especially our houses. So less right angles is more ascetically pleasing for me...

[foodchain]

The concrete above the ground, is only supported by the mesh. So you are not talking compression strength here. As the water pushes out, in an effort to seek a nuetral level...it will be applying a shearing force on the concrete at or about the edge of the dirt surface. IF it breaks, it will be there.

Lake trout require volume. You pond isn't big enough in shear volume. Look at the fishes body shape....long and narrow are built for more open water. Short and fat like bluegill are meant more for smaller areas, that have less flow.

Good Luck.

[foodchain]

The concern with the house moving is this: House exerts more weight/pressure than the dirt or water.
Old houses sink, in the dirt because the shift and compress it over time. Short term, you are probably fine. 20 years though, is another issue. Depending on your specific timeline will depend on what your soil character is, and the amount of run off, sand, clay, etc.

People in North Texas are very familiar with this due to our high clay content and expansion/contraction caused by the heat. While we may be an extreme, the same is true everywhere in the world in varying degrees.

Just be careful. Long term, that COULD be a problem.

[foodchain]

I am stealing your kiddie pool design, and modifying it. Thank you for the idea. Hope it's not personal.

[hawkiye]

The concrete above the ground, is only supported by the mesh. So you are not talking compression strength here. As the water pushes out, in an effort to seek a nuetral level...it will be applying a shearing force on the concrete at or about the edge of the dirt surface. IF it breaks, it will be there.

Lake trout require volume. You pond isn't big enough in shear volume. Look at the fishes body shape....long and narrow are built for more open water. Short and fat like bluegill are meant more for smaller areas, that have less flow.

Good Luck.

Thanks I am actually considering bluegill at some point and maybe perch. Long and flowing does make sense for trout though. Maybe in my next project I will keep that in mind and that is what they do at the hatcheries where they raise them too..

The compression strength and tinsel strength are working together in synthesis it won't break it is far stronger then the plastic tanks being used. The ground moving is only on unstable ground. Nothing is moving the house is 11 years old no cracks in the foundation etc. and the foundations are below the frost line.

Why would I mind you using the kiddie pools? We are all here to share ideas if I can help anyone foster an idea by anything I did I am happy to do it and contribute in any small way!

[hawkiye]

Update: 5/5/2013

Yeah!!! The tank is done everything is plumbed and the cycling has started!!! Just working on timing the flood and drain and doing some tweaking. I discovered one of the siphons just acted like continues flow and would not drain and then flood. Problem was I raised the end of the drain head so it was down hill a bit but this raised the pipe underneath the grow bed so it was a little uphill causing enough back pressure to keep the full siphon from starting. Solution cut the riser a little bit that the drain header connects to so the drain is down a hill still but the pipe underneath is now also down hill a little. I also put an air vent in the end cap of the drain header (drilled a small hole)

Anyways here is the finished product except I still need to make a cover for the fish tank till I get the green house room built. Right now I am just throwing a tarp over it so I don't get an algae bloom from the sun. Also going to make a box for the pump, and the wife wants an Egyptian obelisk to cover the return pipe to the tank but that in due time. Want to get it cycled and get some fish and plants in it first.

[davidstcldfl]

Lookin' nice hawkiye... Good catch on your drain issue..

Just wondering....what's the plan come winter ?

[hawkiye]

Lookin' nice hawkiye... Good catch on your drain issue..

Just wondering....what's the plan come winter ?

Thanks it was a lot of work. I seem to have a habit of making more work for myself then I need to lol. I always seem to make things more elaborate then needed. I am going to build a greenhouse room on the patio to cover it. If I do not get to it in time I will put up a make shift one with plastic for winter.

[JCO]

So how about an update on what your system looks like now. I will say the only experience I've had with kiddie pools is raising duckweed and the pools I had only lasted about 1/3 the way through the second year. The edges started to crumble from damage by the sun.

[Aloha Don]

I was wondering about the durability of these pools
I know as a kid we put them through the test every year...but they only lasted a year