Plan "B" As in Basement

[Bill Moore]

If I am going to put my 1st aquaponics system in the basement so we can start learning over the winter, I am going to have build it out of 2x4 lumber, osb, and some type of liner. Reason: the door leading downstairs to the basement is only 29 inches wide, which rules out using IBC tote system. Thought is 48"x24"x60" fish tank. 24"x24"X60" sump tank, on top of which would be mounted 12"x24"x60" grow bed. Above the grow bed would be florescent grow lights (and I think I'll have the sheriff come by to show him we're not growing something illicit. :-)  Thoughts, cautions?

[Brian]

The 100 gal tank becomes the tank for the fish.  Two of the 50 gals will be grow beds and a 3rd 50gal will serve as the sump tank so that I can set up a 1 pump system.    Any thoughts on this set-up?

Bill,

I built a similar system this summer with two grow beds and a fish tank with only 1 pump.  Of course I didn't have a sump, but I didn't need one. I mounted the grow beds slightly above the fish tank and 1 pump was all I needed. Of course it will drain your fish tank to almost 1/2 empty for 5 -8 minutes before it refills, but maybe you want to give it some thought. 

Did you look at the 150 gallon Rubbermaid? If it's not too big for your doorway, it wouldn't drain nearly as much (if that's a concern). It might do the trick.

[TCLynx]

I'm kinda fond of the Quiet One 4000 pumps for medium size systems.  They are what I use for my 300 gallon size systems.  They are a 50 watt pump that can deliver plenty of excess water for a 300 gallon tank system and they are even able to operate one of my Gravity modified indexing valves if the head height is limited.

 

For a smaller system, I expect one of the smaller Quiet One pumps would be great but I've never used any of them myself.  JT has used the Quiet One 3000 for his little 100 gallon fish tank systems doing timed flood and drain.

 

I don't really like the Quiet One pumps that are larger than the 4000 as I've had a few fail (I've been abusing the 4000 pretty heavily and they have been doing well for me.)

 

For larger pumps (medium to large systems and for running normal Aquaponics Indexing Valves and sequencing valves) I've been using the Danner Supreme Mag Drive MD18 which is a nominal 1800 gph pump.

 

For very large systems I may step up to an energy efficient inline pump like a sweetwater SHE 2.4 or something but such a pump isn't really needed until you are talking really large systems and the one I'm running would be overkill for my big system except that I'm trying out all sorts of strange different things all the time so I always need enough extra pump flow to branch off to something new.

 

There are other good pumps out there but I haven't personally used them so I'll let some one else recommend them.

[Bob Grinder]

Best thing I like about outside grow beds is the free Light. But as Dave said Bugs can get treacherous. Maybe a green house with screens after windows open up for good ventilation.

[Dave Howe]

I have to say that I'm no expert on pumps.  TC should be able to recommend a good brand. I've used pumps from Home Depot that have lasted for years and pumps ordered online, paid a little more that lasted barely a year. Right now I'm using two active aqua pumps and 1 geoglobal pump.  From 550 gph to 1000 gph. Of course, these that I use are for home use and not commercial. A little research and some help on these forums goes a long way.

[Bill Moore]

Checked Craigslist locally (Omaha) but no Rubbermaid tanks.  Any suggestions on what pump to buy? 

 

[TCLynx]

But even new, rubbermaid tanks are pretty good deals.

[Dave Howe]

Check craigslist before you go buy new ones....

 

[Bill Moore]

Finally stopped by local Farm Supply store and found Rubbermaid Ag tanks (100gal and 50gal). The 100gal is 26 inches tall, 32 inches wide and 52 inches long, which means it'll fit through the basement door.  The 50 gal tank is similar dimensions, but 12 inches deep.  So, here is my thinking at the moment.  The 100 gal tank becomes the tank for the fish.  Two of the 50 gals will be grow beds and a 3rd 50gal will serve as the sump tank so that I can set up a 1 pump system.    Any thoughts on this set-up?    100 gal tank is $80, 50 gal is $65.  Total $275.   Now I need to find someone to weld me up some sturdy racks for the to grow beds to put them on the same level.  

[Bill Moore]

I'd leave the tank and grow beds in the basement as well, transfer fish to outside system once it's built and then just 'migrate' the fish at the end of the summer season.  Might lose some, of course. Will have to see.

 

 

[Dave Howe]

I prefer growing indoors. No bugs....fewer problems. The systems I am building this winter will be the largest yet. New posts and piks here if your on FB and I'm posting a few here. And yes...I wish I had a dollar for every comment I get on illicit  growing.      https://www.facebook.com/groups/175117827182/?ref=ts