Using Grey Water

[Ken Arends]

I am designing a vertical living wall aquaponic system for a house we are building and I am thinking of installing an auto filler connected to a constructive wetlands on the property. The constructive wetlands water is fed by rainwater and grey water from the washing machine. The water is run through a bio filter (sand, rock, and soil). Has anyone every attempted this? Clients are not eating the fish or plants.

[TCLynx]

I would be very careful about using grey water in any system that recirculates with fish.  See soap and detergents tend to kill fish right quick.  You would have to be very certain that all suffocants from the soaps and detergents are completely broken down before they come anywhere near the fish part of the system or you could wind up with all fish suffocating when the soaps or detergents coat their gills and stop them from getting dissolved oxygen.

[Ken Arends]

That is what I thought. Grey water does use biodegradable detergent but I am still skeptical. We have an experimental grey water pond going with tadpoles in it but I am not sure if the tadpoles/frogs are stronger than fish. Thank you for your help. 

TCLynx said:

I would be very careful about using grey water in any system that recirculates with fish.  See soap and detergents tend to kill fish right quick.  You would have to be very certain that all suffocants from the soaps and detergents are completely broken down before they come anywhere near the fish part of the system or you could wind up with all fish suffocating when the soaps or detergents coat their gills and stop them from getting dissolved oxygen.

[TCLynx]

Now it is possible that something could be done with it, however, you would be entering experimental realms and I won't guarantee you won't kill fish or if the people switch detergents or something or use bleach or start washing cloth diapers in it...........and so on.

I think grey water re-use is great, I just don't want to risk my fish or salads to it.  I would prefer to send it to fruit trees and stuff like that.

[Ken Arends]

I agree. I think I will redesign the system to auto fill off of the rain water harvest system. 

TCLynx said:

Now it is possible that something could be done with it, however, you would be entering experimental realms and I won't guarantee you won't kill fish or if the people switch detergents or something or use bleach or start washing cloth diapers in it...........and so on.

I think grey water re-use is great, I just don't want to risk my fish or salads to it.  I would prefer to send it to fruit trees and stuff like that.