Comment

Comment by Maynhia Stott on February 23, 2012 at 9:37am

Dave Sc.,

I drilled my hole in a corner. Sheri is right, once you have plants growing in there it might be harder to get to the syphon... but then it also depends on the width of the grow bed. plus you don't want to crawl underneath the bed to take the head fitter apart if you ever need to.

I haven't had a problem with drainage... 

Comment by Maynhia Stott on February 23, 2012 at 9:31am

Anyone heard of Azolla plant? Is there any available locally?

I was doing research on other type of food for tilapia and came across a forum in Australia where people mentioned a water plant called azolla ( forum is Practical Aquaponic from Murray Hallam) I looked it up and found some interesting facts about it. Apparently, Azolla is a great fish food like duckweed and high in protein and it also absorbs nitrite and ammonia.

here is a link from a research in San Diego. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plnov98.htm

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 23, 2012 at 9:01am

Ah, wrong word, Dave. I meant the plastic, not the bottom. The cap is a more brittle plastic than the tank body. I would crack it, but Bob and David would have no problem with it, I'm sure! :) 

John, you are spot on with your description! I think a beer was the drink of choice when it was finished.

Do you mean what happened to the dirt? That's another advantage we have--we live on an irrigated acre, so we have berms that can always use more dirt. So the dirt always has a home. :) 

We now have a fence to keep the "site managers" from walking through the garden. They love the feel of the soil in their toes, but it plays havoc with seedlings.

Comment by John Malone on February 23, 2012 at 8:19am

Sheri,

Nice hole!   What happened to the rest of it?  

I can relate to the photo progression though:

1) Begin : All smiles and relaxed

2) Middle : Hat's on and the sweat is breaking

3) End: Lose the shirt and hat, grab a drink and sit down!

Pretty much exactly how I felt.

Looks like you've got some nice dirt there. I'm jealous.  I think I must be on a river bed!

Also good to see the "site managers" (dogs) keeping a firm eye on things.

Great photos.  Thanks,

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on February 23, 2012 at 8:00am

I am not sure what is your meaning, "drilling the center cap is harder than drilling the tank bottom." corner or center the hole needs to be in the bottom. 

I only talk about my experiences, right or wrong is a personal thang. No right no wrong, have fun. 

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 23, 2012 at 7:20am

I'm just processing a few thoughts here: 

The amount of fill and drainage using a bell siphon is determined by the center pipe height and the air tube, so I can't imagine why any place would be better than another, other than what Dave suggested...it provides drainage at the same speed throughout the tank. But to have true growbed equality, you'd need to fill from the center, too, so I'm not sure that's a make-or-break issue.

I think drilling the center cap is harder than drilling the tank bottom, and more likely to crack, but that concern is more dependent on your drill and your skill than anything else.

From a small-person perspective, the center is hard to reach so maintenance will be hard. For that reason alone, I'd opt for a corner in my bed. Since you're not exactly short, this concern becomes a non-issue as well.

So, I'd say, throw a dart.

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on February 23, 2012 at 7:02am

I like the center. less figuring of how to get an even distribution of water in the grow-bed

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on February 23, 2012 at 7:00am

Jacques L.

I want to come up and learn how to do a great job on youtube

Oh

Great coop, too

Comment by David Schwinghamer on February 22, 2012 at 11:22pm

Where should I put my siphon on the growbed half of an ibc tote? What about the center cap? I see everyone building their systems, I want to have something to show you good people when you come over for my yummys!

Comment by Chris George on February 22, 2012 at 11:03pm

Jacques - your coop video rocks!!  The music was a hoot!

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