Looking for pointers / advice on a simple constant flow system

[Chris Hutchinson]

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.

I'm thinking constant flow with plenty of aeration so I don't have the complexity of siphons and timers. 

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

This will be in my basement, so air temp around 60-70 all the time. 

Also considering making the lower grow bed a raft-system with greens only. Have good lights and small fans for each grow bed.

• Am I asking for trouble not using siphons? Is drain-down critical?
• 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?
• Thoughts? Experience? Warnings? Suggestions?

Thanks!

Chris

[mike mason]

Hi Chris, I am also new at this. I have 1 mixing tub on top of the fish tank. Filled with lava rock and pebelswith Tomatos and bush beans now. The fish tank is about 25 gal and over flows to a 2nd 25 gal sump with a filter only about 15 gal at a given time. I have a small pump in this to pump up to the tub. The pump runs 30 min every 2 hrs. My water so far is ok and i check it about every other week. The system has been up for about 45 days and my bush beans have already been harvested. The tomatos are about 3 ft tall and have flowers on it. My fish are gold fish and are 13 strong. I hope this helps you out and good luck with your AP system

 

Have a great day

Mike M

[Chris Hutchinson]

Thanks, Mike! Appreciate you sharing your experience.

Still in the concept phase...and I'll get to building in the next couple weeks.

:o)
Chris

mike mason said:

Hi Chris, I am also new at this. I have 1 mixing tub on top of the fish tank. Filled with lava rock and pebelswith Tomatos and bush beans now. The fish tank is about 25 gal and over flows to a 2nd 25 gal sump with a filter only about 15 gal at a given time. I have a small pump in this to pump up to the tub. The pump runs 30 min every 2 hrs. My water so far is ok and i check it about every other week. The system has been up for about 45 days and my bush beans have already been harvested. The tomatos are about 3 ft tall and have flowers on it. My fish are gold fish and are 13 strong. I hope this helps you out and good luck with your AP system

 

Have a great day

Mike M