Design Layout Idea

[Shane Mackay]

I am planning on building a new system that combines PVC, Deep Raft and Flood an drain systems. My plan is as follows:-

1. Pump the water to a 3 foot deep gravel bed to act as a biofilter and that plants can be placed in.

2. The water moves from this into a deep raft system

3. through another gravel bed (again we put some plants here as well)

4. to a PVC pipe system (which runs above the pond)

5. back into the pond.

In the pond I plan to stock tilapia, however in the deepraft system I would like to put tropical fish (to control the mosquitos, etc.) I was thinking either swordtails or mollies with a few ground feeders such as Plecostomus. The deep raft will be for lettuce.

I am also trying a solar power areator which will be used for the deep raft and ponds?

Would love some feedback on this idea.

Shane

[George]

As TCL said, getting the 3-feet deep gravel bed high enough will be the challenge.  It will be heavy, so it will take quite a bit of structure to hold it up.  Then, you'll need to build something to stand on or climb up on to work the bed.  Good luck with your design though.  It's intriguing to me.  You can probably make it work if you want to go to the trouble and expense.  I like the concept of using one pump and no sump.  The second gravel bed at the lower height could either be eliminated or placed at the same height as the first and you could put the Raft and NFT at the same level, then drain back to the tank.  You probably intend to sink the tank into the ground.  There is a lot to think about.

[Maynhia Stott]

I'm planning on doing this myself. I should be done this weekend or tomorrow if things work perfectly. I have tilapias and Plecos in my tanks, just hope that as the plecos grow bigger they wont be too aggressive towards the other fish. I'm planning on putting a pleco in my raft system since I didn't want an algae/plant eater. Keep us updated on your progress, i will as well.

Maynhia