Need help lots of questions (answered precrash)

[OaklandNewb]

overview


sideview


Fishtank to Vortex Filter


vortex filter to mechanical filter


mechanical filter bio filter


Bio filter to growbed


Growbed to fishtank 1


Growbed to fishtank 2

Hello All,

i hadposted this previously and had a lot of good answers here.

hopefully i can get some of that info back up here.

I had asked where and how to put pumps and pipes, and what size pipes to use.

dave can you please put your sketch back up of how the SLO and gravity set up with one pump from a sump tank to the fish should be set up again please?

i actually dont remember where the pipes should go into on the next filter down?

A new question i have is what can i use, thats food grade for the deep water culture grow area?
and is PVC safe for aquaponics or is there a better option incase things are seeping into the water?

and if i want to build a smaller system to start off what can i use for the growbed in that situation either?

Thanks
Shant

[urbanfarmer]

DEJA VU!

[davidstcldfl]

Ok, here's the drawing again....



Also, here's a drawing of a filter my buddy and I are using...after the swirl filter...





Think of it as a combo mechanical filter and bio filter
We have an upside down milk crate in the bottom of the barrel. Plus, we have a good size air stone inside the crate.
We are using matala type filter material. I've also used old shade cloth inside the same style set up.

The idea is to filter out what fines get through the swirl filter, and to provide a place for bacteria to grow.
In ours, we have scuds, helping to keep it clean

A new question i have is what can i use, thats food grade for the deep water culture grow area?

Dura skrim is often used in DWC. It's food safe. Friendly's aquaponics uses it and they have an organic cert.

and is PVC safe for aquaponics or is there a better option incase things are seeping into the water?

It's great to be concerned about food safety. That's why most of us, are doing aquaponics.
PVC...it's rated for potable water. Sure, you'll see stuff on the internet saying it's not safe. The newer pvc is safer then years back.

and if i want to build a smaller system to start off what can i use for the growbed in that situation either?

That's a great idea to try a smaller system to start with...
Lot's of great ideas for smaller systems here at DIY.

Here's a link to a couple small systems I've built.
In the 1st one...lots of picts on page one, and a link to a video on page 3..
New work @ Sahib Aquaponics

and another version here...
AP system for a churches produce stand

If your wanting more of a 'how to'...step by step. You might consider checking out Friendly's Aquaponics web site. They have several manuals, on different size systems

[JCO]

David, the drawing with the sump at the end of the setup ins incorrect. It should be between the FT and the first filter. The piece of equipment at the end of the set up before the water goes back to the fish tank should be a reservoir used to keep the water level at a determined height in the FT.

The sump, as here on the forum is for catching all the junk you don't want elsewhere

[15mules]

I do not know what size pump you are planning to use, but I see you are planning on pumping to all 4 grow areas at once. I would consider going into the large grow bed on one end, then exiting on the other end, to your next grow pipe and back and forth until you reach the last grow area then return from there to your fish tank. You could use a smaller pump and have the same water flow through all.

[JCO]

Not the way to go....the last grow bed will receive far less nutrients than the rest. To be efficient, it must be distributed to each grow bed individually.