A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

new guy in central Texas

Well I have been trolling around here and other forums for a little while so I guess its time I show my stuff.

I have built 2 CHIFT PIST systems they are both just about alike. I have a 275 gal IBC tote for a fish tank and a 110 gal sump tank. I have a 1200 gph pond pump in my sump tank pumping water through 1.25" line with a bypass to adjust flow. My beds are food grade barrels cut in half length wise with 1/4"x1/2" crushed granite for grow media. My beds are fed by a 3" SLO from the FT and drain through Affnans bell valve back to the sump. I used Uniseals for all my taps(great product). I will not be using blue barrels anymore because of the extra cost to support them. I think I will use the large mortar trays from Home Depot for the rest of my beds. I will be adding more beds to both systems next week. For fish I will be raising catfish and perch. My wife is the gardener so the plants will be her job, I just have to keep the fish alive. After I get these 2 smaller systems figured out I am going to build a bigger system with 2 1000 gal. fish tanks. I know I have a lot to learn so any thoughts or advice would be welcomed. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jim Troyer on June 22, 2012 at 12:54pm

Looks like a great start Todd!

Dittos on the blue barrels and they're fugly too!

When you go big think "integrated landscape" vs "industrial agriculture" and you will be much happier in the long run. It doesn't cost anymore to address the aesthetics if you do it up front.

Keep us in the loop!

Jim

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Permalink Reply by TCLynx on June 22, 2012 at 6:29pm

I personally like the color of the blue barrels, but that is just me.

However, I agree that cutting them the long way makes for a lot of extra work and framing to support them. they are also harder to get the siphons balanced with them cut the long way. You can cut them around the middle for slightly deeper beds that don't require all the extra support of cradles.

I will warn that the mortar tubs require extra support in the long run. The mortar tubs I'm using for water chestnut beds are cracking now after probably about 2 1/2 years.

I have been doing well with 100 gallon stock tanks as grow beds, double the filtration for the footprint and I don't have to build stand for them.