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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Fingerling
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OP
Fingerling
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3 |
I want to set up my system with a (near) full (55Gal)BBL fish tank & 4 1/2 BBL grow tanks. I am trying to decide on Flood & Drain or Constant Flow. Suggestions anyone ??? I assume a 1/2 BBL filled to @ 2" of top with gravel might contain 15 Gal of water. What does your experience tell you on this water Qty??? That leads me to believe that I will need @ 60 Gal + @ 40 Gal for fish if I use constant flow. The flow(drainback) would then be controled to match the pump capacity. Am I on the right track? I would like to use a 12V pump either @9 GPM flow constant (Automotive){$175}. or @4.9 GPM intermittent (Sprayer){$95.}Either way I will have to buy a battery(s) & a Solar panel controller to make this work.9GPM=11.1 minutes for full pumping of 100 Gal.. 4.9 GPM=20 mins. for 100 gal. Perhaps I should look to pump the Growbed capacity of 60 Gal in @ 12 mins. Can someone please give me your experience on this! I have 2 75W Solar Panels & would not need to run new wiring for a 120V pump.
I had a formula of how many fish to a Gallon of Fish tank vs gallons of Growbeds. Can you help with this as I can no longer find that info???????? I have a source for 100 1-2" Talapia for $50. if it is still a good source. Since I think that is too many as they grow, perhaps I can offer them as fingerlings when they out grow the fishtank. How many fish should I start with????
Any other suggestions????????????????? How about starting the bacteria in the grow beds? I plan to use gravel,I have lefttover from the driveway & later try something used to expand concrete. It must look like Lava rock and is supposedly very light weight. Has anyone tried this stuff.
Thanks for any help with this project. I've retired & look forward to finally trying my hand at this. EdH
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,854 Likes: 1 |
Sorry if this is a dumb question...
but what does BBL mean?
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 43 |
Hi pfatz, I'm just about 70 miles up 71 Hwy from you. Good to see another Arkie Backyard Aquaponics is a great place to have complex questions answered on ratio's and stuff. Good luck with it
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 14
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 14 |
I use barrel aquaponics mate. Now, what are you trying to ask amidst all those figures hehe.
the displacement of water in gravel is approximately 50%. The displacement in porous gravel is approx 40%.
4 x barrel halves will use about 60 gallons in a flood cycle. So your tank is endangered by the system.
The auto siphons can be adjusted to run at differing times but thing is they continually change as root mass and bio-film is created in both the beds and plumbing.
Do you want to risk it, the timing of auto siphons does not remain constant.
For you Id recommend the options
Continuous flow, or Only 2 grow beds or Get a 100 plus gallon tank.
Can't help you on the solar stuff sorry, if you get good at it, you can teach me some tricks.
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