All Discussions Tagged 'flow' - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T09:52:51Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=flow&feed=yes&xn_auth=noBed timing keeps changingtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-20:4778851:Topic:5545732014-03-20T18:18:11.354ZAdina Conroyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdinaConroy
<p>Hi, we have three grow beds with one sump. We originally had them set up to each fill at a different time, twice an hour. This worked great for the first month. Now every day or two the beds end up on the same cycle, which means the sump level gets too low and we have to add water - have been adding 5 gallons at a time, which we keep pre-heated and ready to go, but really, this is a pain to constantly worry about whether or not the pump is sucking air. Plus every time we add water it…</p>
<p>Hi, we have three grow beds with one sump. We originally had them set up to each fill at a different time, twice an hour. This worked great for the first month. Now every day or two the beds end up on the same cycle, which means the sump level gets too low and we have to add water - have been adding 5 gallons at a time, which we keep pre-heated and ready to go, but really, this is a pain to constantly worry about whether or not the pump is sucking air. Plus every time we add water it changes the ph balance. For some reason, despite being the same sized beds and having the same amount of media (clay pebbles) the beds do not fill at the same rate. So even when we try to adjust the water flow to get them on different cycles they end up on the same cycle over time. <img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Frown.gif"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Any suggestions as to how to keep the beds filling at different times?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks.</p> Plumbing to multiple growbeds with or without index valve?tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-04-12:4778851:Topic:4614332013-04-12T00:33:23.974ZJason Finnhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JasonFinn
<p>I am finally starting to purchase all the parts I need for my system. I was wondering what the best way to plumb the growbeds from the fish tank in a CHIFT PIST system. Is an index valve always necessary?</p>
<p>I am planning on using a SLO to flow water out of two fish tanks and planning on having six growbeds. Everything will be made from IBC tanks.</p>
<p>My original idea was simply a long pvc pipe with a "T" for the first bed, a "T" for the second and then an elbow at the end but this…</p>
<p>I am finally starting to purchase all the parts I need for my system. I was wondering what the best way to plumb the growbeds from the fish tank in a CHIFT PIST system. Is an index valve always necessary?</p>
<p>I am planning on using a SLO to flow water out of two fish tanks and planning on having six growbeds. Everything will be made from IBC tanks.</p>
<p>My original idea was simply a long pvc pipe with a "T" for the first bed, a "T" for the second and then an elbow at the end but this seems like there would be varying water flow. Is this true?</p>
<p>Please give any suggestions. Thanks.</p> Looking for pointers / advice on a simple constant flow systemtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-02-13:4778851:Topic:4384152013-02-13T23:03:09.606ZChris Hutchinsonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChrisHutchinson
<p><span>Newbie here - I'm exploring making a simple system (similar to Growing Power with 2 black mortar mixing tubs vertically above a stock tank for the fish) with just a pump from the fish tank up to the top of the two grow beds with drain that goes into the lower bed first and then another from there to the fish tank.</span></p>
<p>I'm thinking constant flow with plenty of aeration so I don't have the complexity of siphons and timers. </p>
<p>Planning on Hydroton (or substitute as I read…</p>
<p><span>Newbie here - I'm exploring making a simple system (similar to Growing Power with 2 black mortar mixing tubs vertically above a stock tank for the fish) with just a pump from the fish tank up to the top of the two grow beds with drain that goes into the lower bed first and then another from there to the fish tank.</span></p>
<p>I'm thinking constant flow with plenty of aeration so I don't have the complexity of siphons and timers. </p>
<p>Planning on Hydroton (or substitute as I read they're going out of business) and endwall mounted drainpipes at the right height in each grow bed. Probably an air stone or two in each bed, and a couple in the fish tank. Probably tilapia or catfish</p>
<p>This will be in my basement, so air temp around 60-70 all the time. </p>
<p>Also considering making the lower grow bed a raft-system with greens only. Have good lights and small fans for each grow bed.</p>
<ul>
<li>Am I asking for trouble not using siphons? Is drain-down critical?</li>
<li>What's the best place on the site for info / pros / cons of a steady flow aerated system like this? What things should I avoid?</li>
<li>Thoughts? Experience? Warnings? Suggestions?</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Chris</p>
<p></p> First System: Recycled and Aesthetictag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-29:4778851:Topic:4194492012-11-29T01:33:06.130ZGuru Das C Bockhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GuruDasCBock
<p>I have been running this new system for 3 months and all is going well. This system is made of recycled materials and hosts 11 koi fish and 1 plecostomus. The fish tank holds 180 gallons and the medium for the grow bed is locally sourced creek-bed gravel.</p>
<p><br></br>This is my first system ever and it took me a lot of research and imagination to figure out the right design. The method I chose is a continuous flow through the gravel with a single standpipe. The water exits the bed and…</p>
<p>I have been running this new system for 3 months and all is going well. This system is made of recycled materials and hosts 11 koi fish and 1 plecostomus. The fish tank holds 180 gallons and the medium for the grow bed is locally sourced creek-bed gravel.</p>
<p><br/>This is my first system ever and it took me a lot of research and imagination to figure out the right design. The method I chose is a continuous flow through the gravel with a single standpipe. The water exits the bed and splashes back into the fish tank below for aeration. No problems so far. We have gathered a surplus of melons okra beans corn tomatoes and tobacco.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As we live in the Sonoran Desert, temperatures may be extreme. That is why i chose a continuous flow system with a simple standpipe overflow. Electricity is consumed by a single pump which fills the gravel bed and aerates the fish tank at the same time. The fish tank is submerged in the ground for thermal mass and to slow any extreme temperature changes. It is not uncommon for the temperatures here to vary 40 degrees F from day to night. Also the fish tank is covered by the gravel bed and lumber box to prevent evaporative losses in the 100+ degree F summer temp. Everything transplanted so far has survived and thrived. Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate levels are always close to zero. The PH is just above 7. And average water temp is 70 deg. F. I have placed an old wrench found in the desert directly in the gravel bed as a source of iron. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Please feel free to reply with any comments suggestions.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://1144s7thave.tumblr.com/post/33142602183/the-evolution-of-our-first-aquaponics-system-it#notes" target="_blank">http://1144s7thave.tumblr.com/post/33142602183/the-evolution-of-our-first-aquaponics-system-it#notes</a></p> Ebb & Flow Rate and Regulationtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-02:4778851:Topic:3975632012-10-02T13:40:33.995ZSteve Werlinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/StevenHWerlin
<p>I have a small indoor set-up with a 20 gallon aquarium. My grow bed is fed by a pump from the fish tank. It drains via a bell siphon into a reservoir. And then the reservoir water is pumped back into the fish tank.</p>
<p>I've set both pumps to their lowest setting, but I think they still may be going too fast. I read that the cycle should go through at least once per hour. My system is cycling more like five times per hour. Is this too frequent? Is it possible for the ebb & flow…</p>
<p>I have a small indoor set-up with a 20 gallon aquarium. My grow bed is fed by a pump from the fish tank. It drains via a bell siphon into a reservoir. And then the reservoir water is pumped back into the fish tank.</p>
<p>I've set both pumps to their lowest setting, but I think they still may be going too fast. I read that the cycle should go through at least once per hour. My system is cycling more like five times per hour. Is this too frequent? Is it possible for the ebb & flow rate to be too fast?</p>
<p></p> Sugar Snap Peas suddenly diedtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-06:4778851:Topic:3464922012-06-06T00:50:11.331ZNathanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Nathan703
<p>Hello,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a relatively new small indoor system. I recently added some more fish to increase the nutrients, since what I had wasn't nearly enough. For some reason all of my sugar snap peas suddenly dried up. Mainly the half of the plant that was below the lights dried up, the half that grew above the lights was still alive, but stringy from lack of light. My tomato plant that is in the same bed as the peas is doing a lot better after adding the additional fish to the…</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a relatively new small indoor system. I recently added some more fish to increase the nutrients, since what I had wasn't nearly enough. For some reason all of my sugar snap peas suddenly dried up. Mainly the half of the plant that was below the lights dried up, the half that grew above the lights was still alive, but stringy from lack of light. My tomato plant that is in the same bed as the peas is doing a lot better after adding the additional fish to the system. My bush beans in the same bed are starting to turn around, they showed signs of lack of nutrients but are looking better after adding the extra fish.</p>
<p></p>
<p>PH 6.8</p>
<p>Temperature 75-80 (it's been warm in Portland)</p>
<p>High output florescent lighting</p>
<p>40 gallon fish tank feeding two hydroton beds that are 2'x3'.</p>
<p>Ebb n flow, 15 mins flood, 15 mins empty, 16 hours a day, floods for 15 mins twice at night.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Any ideas?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks for any input.</p>
<p> </p> sycronizing pumps flow in a dwc raft bedtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-21:4778851:Topic:3239342012-04-21T18:07:12.585ZNick wesleyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Nickwesley
<p>hey everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>so i have a problem that i know gravity can solve but its kind of difficult to achieve.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a DWC raft system with a biofilter. i purchased 3 pumps of the same caliber. my grow bed is even with my water tank because the tank is on a pedestal thing. now the pumps are not flowing at the same rate. which will eventually result in an overflow.</p>
<p></p>
<p>now i have an overflow on the tank, but not on the glass tank. has anyone else had this…</p>
<p>hey everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>so i have a problem that i know gravity can solve but its kind of difficult to achieve.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a DWC raft system with a biofilter. i purchased 3 pumps of the same caliber. my grow bed is even with my water tank because the tank is on a pedestal thing. now the pumps are not flowing at the same rate. which will eventually result in an overflow.</p>
<p></p>
<p>now i have an overflow on the tank, but not on the glass tank. has anyone else had this problem or know some innovative solution besides putting the tank on the ground?</p>
<p></p> Linking three (3) IBC tanks. Requirements?tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-13:4778851:Topic:2774582012-01-13T18:02:17.034ZEdwin Mercadohttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/EdwinMercado
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm new to all of this. Iv'e been collecting materials for my first system and have found myself with a bit of a problem (a good one I hope).</p>
<p></p>
<p>I was planning on making my first system out of two 275 GL IBC tanks linked together, but have ended up with three. Assuming a 75 gallon loss per container when I cut them up, that will be roughly 600 gallons of fish tank (effectively much less when you consider drain).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Currently I have a…</p>
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm new to all of this. Iv'e been collecting materials for my first system and have found myself with a bit of a problem (a good one I hope).</p>
<p></p>
<p>I was planning on making my first system out of two 275 GL IBC tanks linked together, but have ended up with three. Assuming a 75 gallon loss per container when I cut them up, that will be roughly 600 gallons of fish tank (effectively much less when you consider drain).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Currently I have a pump with a flow rate of 1052 GPH.</p>
<p></p>
<p>What should I be thinking about here?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I thank you in advance for your time.</p>
<p>Ed Mercado</p> NFT vs DFTtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-03:4778851:Topic:2720702012-01-03T07:37:58.928ZKillian Griffinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KillianGriffin
<p>Hello, I'm planning on setting up another small system upstairs to grow herbs/veggies over the winter. Should I use NFT (nutrient film technique) or DFT (deep flow technique)? Basically, 4" PVC for DFT, or vinyl rain gutters for the NFT. What are the differences, if any, between the systems? </p>
<p>Hello, I'm planning on setting up another small system upstairs to grow herbs/veggies over the winter. Should I use NFT (nutrient film technique) or DFT (deep flow technique)? Basically, 4" PVC for DFT, or vinyl rain gutters for the NFT. What are the differences, if any, between the systems? </p> Small handful of noob questions...tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2011-03-19:4778851:Topic:677012011-03-19T08:45:17.586ZJon Baldwinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JonBaldwin
I apologize if all of these questions have already been asked. I haven't had any luck searching the forum. If you can send me links that's fine, direct answers are even better!<br />
<br />
1.). Is there a cheaper alternative to the expanded clay balls as a growing medium? I've heard small river rock and large pee gravel. Any suggestions on what works is much appreciated.<br />
<br />
2.). Along with the grow beds, I'd like to have a smallish section of large PVC pipe with holes in it for a constant flow element,…
I apologize if all of these questions have already been asked. I haven't had any luck searching the forum. If you can send me links that's fine, direct answers are even better!<br />
<br />
1.). Is there a cheaper alternative to the expanded clay balls as a growing medium? I've heard small river rock and large pee gravel. Any suggestions on what works is much appreciated.<br />
<br />
2.). Along with the grow beds, I'd like to have a smallish section of large PVC pipe with holes in it for a constant flow element, perhaps surrounding the grow bed, or above it - maybe 16 feet or so. The idea would to be to put the faster growing greens in this, and save the growbeds for plants with a more substantial root system. Is it possible to let the water pump directly from the FT through the PVC to feed those plants first and then trickle into the grow bed? Will the fish solids collect too heavily on the roots and reduce growth?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2a.). I plan to use a bell siphon in the GB. Is there a way to use the wster AFTER the GB for the constant flow system? Seems like with the flood and drain that would present a problem. Meh?<br />
<br />
It looks like I'll be working with a 330 gal IBC, so I hope to have cray fish along with (likely) talapia. If anyone has found a tastier fast growing fish, I'm open to suggestion.<br />
<br />
3.). Any suggestion on pumps and other parts/accessories for a system of this size?<br />
<br />
4.). Final question... This system will be in my house. I'm wondering if any of you have found a good system to deal with leaks or even catastrophic failiar. I don't wnt to come down stairs in the morning and be ankle deep in fish water. I was thinking of that tray under the hot water heater that dumps into my sump pump, but bigger/deeper to handle a couple hundred gallons gone arry.<br />
<br />
Anything you IBC experts might suggest will be a huge help. I hope to get started on the system in the next month or so. THANK You!<br />
<br />
Jon<br />
In Denver