barrelponics

[malcolm l windham]

Well today i finally started cycling my system. A 110 gal fish tank, five half barrels and a 55 gal dump barrel using an internal loop siphon to dump to the growbeds. I built a 12 x 12 greenhouse and will be using solar panels for backup pump power and a wood burning stove for heat. The greenhouse is covered in 12 ga clear vinyl and it is very strong, i am receiving too much from this october texas sun and will have to put up shade covers. I am not able to put up pictures yet. Malcolm

[Matt Rosso]

Will 110 gal be enough to flood all 5 barrels at the same time? I know you've got some sort of media in them, but the fish may be worried every time the pumps turn on. Sounds great! Can't wait to see how the plants turn out.

[malcolm l windham]

A 55 gal dump barrel can handle up to 8 growbed half barrels, with me only using 5 i'm only adjusting my loop siphon to use a lttle over half a barrel. To cut down on water loss my dump vlvs go into the gravel and the top 1 to 2 inches stays dry. My 110 gal fish tank stays halfway during the cycle. So far the cycle is around 10 min fill 5 min dump and drain. I threw seeds on top of the gravel two days ago and i have greenbeans and lettuce coming up, I hope to add crappie from my tank behind the house within the week when my ph drops more. Malcolm