Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 17 of 17
  1. #11
    Moderator davidstcldfl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Saint Cloud FL USA
    Posts
    2,029

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    Hi scotteboy, welcome to the forum...
    "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - President Ronald Reagan

  2. #12
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Zone 9b
    Posts
    2,294

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    Greetings Earthling, and welcome!

  3. #13
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Zone 9b
    Posts
    2,294

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    1915.01 gallons maximum on the grow beds filled at perfect level to the top with no gravel. 1755 gallons if filled 1" below the top with no gravel. Assuming the gravel takes 60% of the volume that leaves 702 gallons of grow bed that will fill with water. You will likely need 3x the grow bed space to maintain a ratio of roughly 1:1 in your system. pH will play an enormous factor in the required ratio for you system; so, don't push the minimum limits too hard because a pH fluctuation can kill your fish in a short amount of time. The same goes for temperature.

    I couldn't see the pump (website down), but I prefer pumps that pass larger solids for gravel grow beds. The efficacy of bacteria to decompose waste matter is positively correlated to the surface area to volume ratio of the matter. If you have worms in your grow beds, that's not as important. But, check the wattage on the pump and make sure it you get the extended warranty. Make sure the pump is okay for continuous usage.

    How long should it take to fully circulate the 2000 gallons?
    It depends what you are asking. To determine how many gallons circulates in an hour, you just look at the GPH (gallons per hour) of your pump. If you mean how long does it take for the concentration levels to decrease to 0 based on 100% biofiltration efficiency and assuming no increase in the fish waste, the mathematical answer is infinity. Although, from a practical standpoint it would only take a few hours based on a GPH equal to the size of your system's water volume to get the levels to acceptable numbers or even undetectable levels. It's an exponential function of decreasing magnitude.

    How much produce do you typically get per square foot of aquaponic grow-bed versus soil?
    Depends. You could get worse than soil if you have no idea what you are doing!

    Numbers have ranged from 100% of the production, comparatively, for the same plants on the same surface area in soil to numbers higher than 30,000%. Yes, that's the right number.

    So many factors will affect this. Aside from the usual, sun, nutrients, temperature, cultivar, species, etc... you also have how well you design the use of your square footage. It is really quite variable, but in general you can assume a greater production per unit surface area. Vining fruiting plants typically have the greatest increase in efficacy from a comparative standpoint. That's obviously because they make use of their vertical space. We live in 3 dimensions after all, and it's misleading to compare based on surface area instead of volume used!

  4. #14
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
    Posts
    14

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    I bought a pump today for a smaller system (to get a demo going). Ive decided that it will be similar to Murray H's design down in Auz. The pump is a eco396 submersible, continuous flow. $35 at Progressive Growth Hydroponics.

    Stock tanks at the local farm supply store appear to be the best bang for buck... deep tanks, sturdy (not rigid). For the fish Ill use a oval 110 gallon (not filled completely) $83 and for the growbeds I'll pick up 2 x 75 gallon $80each (3'x4'x18" approx). Most likely on Tuesday (whoo hoo EI).

    Have to whip up a frame to hold the beds, will post pictures when in progress.

    Cheers!

  5. #15
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
    Posts
    14

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    Is there anyone on Vancouver Island (british columbia, canada) that has a working aquaponic setup?

    Where in Canada can one purchase fiberglass growbeds or fish tanks?

  6. #16
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Zone 9b
    Posts
    2,294

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    I look forward to the pictures!

  7. #17
    Members
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
    Posts
    14

    Re: 2000 gallon tank and 256 square feet growbed

    Started the plubing today. Found a 9' fenced yard outside a local hydroponics shop to showcase the system. Super high visibility, power, equipment..... seeeeeet.

    I'm using PVC and marine goo to gue the parts, im assuming its safe for food and fish... we'll see

Similar Threads

  1. Getting my feet wet...
    By samtheman in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 57
    Last Post: 02-24-2014, 12:53 PM
  2. fish tropical tank poo for bacteria start up tank
    By DARRYL in forum Aquaponics Knowhow
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-28-2013, 08:11 PM
  3. New 4 x 8' growbed
    By bsfman in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 10-27-2012, 08:11 AM
  4. 55 Gallon drums
    By Basil1 in forum Good, Better & Best
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 02-16-2012, 11:02 AM
  5. Jackalope's 475 Gallon FT
    By jackalope in forum Back Yard Systems
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 05-23-2010, 04:55 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •