Plumbing For our IBC system - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T22:41:26Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/plumbing-for-our-ibc-system?groupUrl=aquaponicsforbeginners&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A554949&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A28135&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIt won't matter BUT it will r…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5549552014-03-22T18:09:41.057ZJim Fiskhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JimFisk
<p>It won't matter BUT it will reduce the pump output. It does blast the water with very fine bubbles which will correct an anaerobic situation fast but it might make your fish a bit giddy<a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"></img></a></p>
<p>It can be done by adding an air tube that runs from above the surface to a point right in front of the pump intake. Takes a bit of tweaking tho. Some pumps have it already set up. I prefer 2 separate systems (air and water pumps) We knew what you…</p>
<p>It won't matter BUT it will reduce the pump output. It does blast the water with very fine bubbles which will correct an anaerobic situation fast but it might make your fish a bit giddy<a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a></p>
<p>It can be done by adding an air tube that runs from above the surface to a point right in front of the pump intake. Takes a bit of tweaking tho. Some pumps have it already set up. I prefer 2 separate systems (air and water pumps) We knew what you meant<a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Smile.gif"/></a><br/> <br/> <cite>Terry Healy said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/plumbing-for-our-ibc-system?groupUrl=aquaponicsforbeginners&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A555030&xg_source=msg_com_gr_forum#4778851Comment555030"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>RE: #1, I should have clarified my statement - I meant an air leak on the intake side of the WATER pump, not the air pump.</p>
<p>I've often wondered if this is could be used to an advantage in a serious low-oxygen event, or when the pump does not feed the fish tank directly - i.e. to the grow beds.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> RE: #1, I should have clarifi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5550302014-03-22T17:00:51.676ZTerry Healyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TerryHealy
<p>RE: #1, I should have clarified my statement - I meant an air leak on the intake side of the WATER pump, not the air pump.</p>
<p>I've often wondered if this is could be used to an advantage in a serious low-oxygen event, or when the pump does not feed the fish tank directly - i.e. to the grow beds.</p>
<p>RE: #1, I should have clarified my statement - I meant an air leak on the intake side of the WATER pump, not the air pump.</p>
<p>I've often wondered if this is could be used to an advantage in a serious low-oxygen event, or when the pump does not feed the fish tank directly - i.e. to the grow beds.</p> Also, I missed #1 above. Make…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5551282014-03-22T16:41:54.143ZJim Fiskhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JimFisk
<p>Also, I missed #1 above. Makes no difference at all. Pressure is pressure regardless of how or where you enter the FT. Avoid any holes in the sides that are unnecessary. I use a piston oilless air pump off Ebay that has no problem pushing to the bottom of five 330g IBCs. Vibrator types will not do it and the "solenoid" types are so noisy that you will hate them. Figure about 40-50.00 for a used industrial air pump on Ebay that sells for up to 450.00 new and will give you years of service…</p>
<p>Also, I missed #1 above. Makes no difference at all. Pressure is pressure regardless of how or where you enter the FT. Avoid any holes in the sides that are unnecessary. I use a piston oilless air pump off Ebay that has no problem pushing to the bottom of five 330g IBCs. Vibrator types will not do it and the "solenoid" types are so noisy that you will hate them. Figure about 40-50.00 for a used industrial air pump on Ebay that sells for up to 450.00 new and will give you years of service between rebuilds as opposed to at least annual rebuilds for the others I mentioned.</p>
<p>When purchasing on Ebay simply go by the vendors FEEDBACK and rating to stay safe. Ebay rocks if you use a little common sense. I am still waiting, after months now, for some 3" pvc caps I purchased off Ama..n. Ebay would have refunded my money and thrown that !?*&! vendor off Ebay months ago. I have not made a single purchase from Ama..n since. Just a heads up with all that refund cash in hand. <a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a> Spend it wisely. Also Sylvia has lots of good deals right here on this forum under the "Shop" tab above.</p> Vance, Re: item one. The only…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5549492014-03-22T16:02:12.739ZTerry Healyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TerryHealy
Vance, Re: item one. The only likely situation that would result in over saturation is an air leak on the intake side of you pump. If you use a submersible pump, this will never happen. For the air stone, the more the better.
Vance, Re: item one. The only likely situation that would result in over saturation is an air leak on the intake side of you pump. If you use a submersible pump, this will never happen. For the air stone, the more the better. Hey Vance, first join our IBC…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5552052014-03-22T13:53:35.232ZJim Fiskhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JimFisk
<p>Hey Vance, first join our IBC group <a href="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/group/ibc-aquaponics" rel="nofollow" target="_self">HERE</a> and read through the posts.</p>
<p>Second, there is no place in your plan for any 1/2" pipe (go either 3/4" or 1" THINWALL for extra flow and lower cost). I would design for all gravity flow from the FT to the GBs and they should be 1 1/2" outflows to to the GBs. The pump can be a single, into 1" pipe and will do everything except perhaps tall…</p>
<p>Hey Vance, first join our IBC group <a rel="nofollow" href="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/group/ibc-aquaponics" target="_self">HERE</a> and read through the posts.</p>
<p>Second, there is no place in your plan for any 1/2" pipe (go either 3/4" or 1" THINWALL for extra flow and lower cost). I would design for all gravity flow from the FT to the GBs and they should be 1 1/2" outflows to to the GBs. The pump can be a single, into 1" pipe and will do everything except perhaps tall vertical GBs. I used a Little Giant 1100gph (I paid 70.00) and it does everything in our 2000g system and still sends extra flow back to the sump via a "bypass". You can expect at least 5 years from an LG pump and since it is rated for pond scum :-) and your sump is clear water, it might just last for ever. Mine has been non stop for 2 yrs now with no fade or any maintenance what so ever. Hasn't ever been removed once.</p>
<p>You have gone for what I consider the BEST design with a 275 or <span style="text-decoration: underline;">330</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">below grade sump</span> so take advantage of your design and KISS. Pump out of the sump to the FTs and drain from the FTs to the hip (waist) high GBs (best working height and leaves room for those 8 foot bean and peas and tomatoes) and from there it flows back to the sump. It doesn't get any simpler or better than that. (not everyone can bury the sump so we are the lucky ones) (See my pics)</p>
<p>I use a "slotted along the bottom" pick up pipe with a 12" to 16" stick style air stone (Walmart 2-4 $) wire tied to the top over the slots. (see my pics) The air creates a current that draws the fish waste to the PU pipe. Saves having to clean the FTs all the time. That pipe 90s to a pipe up the front wall to a "T" at the height you want the FT water (about 8" from the top). The "T" is threaded for a male ELECTRICAL threaded adapter and is slotted for a skimmer at the center of the T. (see my pics) Just like in a swimming pool. Bottom drain and top skimmer. That will keep the FTs as clean as possible without much effort as you will get floaters and sinkers and this addresses both.</p>
<p>Go 1 1/2" for the manifold from FTs to GBs BECAUSE that is the smallest size where you can get SWEEP 90s rather than sharp 90s which restrict flow. Go 2" for the manifold from your GB siphons back to the sump and VENT that manifold well so it does not effect the siphons. Giving you a heads up here on things we learned the hard way.</p>
<p>DO NOT connect the 2 FTs with that 3" pipe. Expensive, leak prone, and totally unnecessary. You will want the fish kept separate for different sizes or species. Use the outflow Ts to set the level in each tank and fill those tanks to about 8" from the top for max volume (about 300g in a 330 IBC). Don't cut the tops off. Just cut hatches the width of the IBC and about 8-10" in depth. Leave about four 3/8" "hinges" at the back of the hatches (see pics) No other hinges or covers needed (except shade in one form or another, in my case a metal roof over the "fish room").</p>
<p>Go to my pics <a rel="nofollow" href="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/photo/photo/listForContributor?screenName=0mm0cglxqchye" target="_self">HERE</a> for lots of pics and examples rather than post them here. Save the exotic items that might require a second pump for down the road. KISS and learn the ins and outs of AP first before you go nuts all at once. You still have so many fish to kill before you get your AP mojo on<img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></p> If this is your first aquapon…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5549372014-03-22T13:32:51.241ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>If this is your first aquaponics endeavor then you are trying to bite off a lot at once. I have 2 IBC tanks side by side, 1 halfway in the ground. I simply have a 1" overflow pipe in the higher tank draining out into the lower tank with one 360 gallon pump. Probably would go with a little bigger pump to accommodate the height next time but one pump keeps it simple. Pumps up to the GB and drains to the higher tank then back to the lower tank. Going to rearrange the pump lines today. The same…</p>
<p>If this is your first aquaponics endeavor then you are trying to bite off a lot at once. I have 2 IBC tanks side by side, 1 halfway in the ground. I simply have a 1" overflow pipe in the higher tank draining out into the lower tank with one 360 gallon pump. Probably would go with a little bigger pump to accommodate the height next time but one pump keeps it simple. Pumps up to the GB and drains to the higher tank then back to the lower tank. Going to rearrange the pump lines today. The same overflow would be sufficient for your tanks as well. 3" is not necessary and is much more expensive.</p> Item # 4. Get 2 spare pumps.…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5552032014-03-22T12:13:44.565ZPhil Slatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PhilSlaton
<p>Item # 4. Get 2 spare pumps. Breakdowns are common. Also get a spare aeriator pump. eBay has them. Get flex hose on eBay also.</p>
<p>Item # 4. Get 2 spare pumps. Breakdowns are common. Also get a spare aeriator pump. eBay has them. Get flex hose on eBay also.</p> Item # 2 use this strainer, y…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-03-22:4778851:Comment:5549312014-03-22T12:00:38.718ZPhil Slatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PhilSlaton
<p>Item # 2 use this strainer, you can get it at home depot.</p>
<p>Item # 2 use this strainer, you can get it at home depot.</p>