Aquaponic System Design Mistakes | Don't Copy Me

[@RobsAquaponics]

Want to learn more about Aquaponics? 🐟 🍓🥬🍅 Now you can with Rob's "Backyard Aquaponics for Beginners" Guide for only $9.95. You can see the guide in action on my website, ► www.bitsouttheback.com/aquaponics-guide Or, buy directly here, ► robbobaquaponics.retrieve.com/g/XL0J6T2P#/content/90525 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button if you want to be notified when new videos are posted to our channel. Cheers all & happy growing. 🐟 🍓 🌱

[@mathewpoole3589]

Trial and error with time are the best educators. Looking forward to the next setup.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I'm champing at the bit to get cracking on it Mathew. Should have all the bank paperwork settled on the renovations next week & we can work out a budget for the rebuild after that. 👍

[@-robo-]

Food for thought: bend your PVC in places where you have a turn, but don't need a fitting or clean out. The method I like best is to fill the pipe with sand, then use a heat gun. The sand is to keep the pipe from collapsing and is emptied out once the pipe has cooled. Love your videos!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Robert. Have seen a few folks use that method but am yet to try it myself. 👍 Cheers mate & have a top one.

[@mikeyj312]

Instant sub! Someone who isn’t too proud to admit his mistakes, and is generous enough to share them with others. You’re a rare breed my friend! Looking forward to more videos

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Thrilla43. 👍 Hope you've ben enjoying the other videos.

[@howiedewitt_]

What I'd love to see, Rob, is you start from scratch and build your best aquaponics system with all you've learned. It could be in your yard or someone else's.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope to start filming on a build from scratch in a few weeks Howie.👍 Cheers mate.

[@andyreid7274]

Rob youve inspired many people to dive in to aquaponics, me included. We all find areas for improvement. Glad your reno went well, and back to gardening again. Cheers from USA.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Andy. Am slowly starting to get a few gardens set up but have to wait to see how the budget pans out before I get to carried away designing the new aquaponics systems. Cheers mate.

[@snubbelbuff1471]

If I may add a small detail- If you add a pipe to your pump that goes straight up, as tall as is needed and with an open top, your pump is going to push more water through the system because the pump is only pushing water straight up and not sideways all the way to the fish tank / "other side of the yard" and the water in the pipe is instead "falling down" into the fish tank. All the best Rob! Always inspirational!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks mate. 👍👍

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

If I keep watching your channel I am sure all of this will come together for me. Even if I never tackle an aquaponics system I will always find interest in your videos.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Joe. Thanks for the the gift as well & the kind words that came with it. Have been meaning to get back to you but I've been a bit slack keeping up to date over the past week. Cheers mate & have a great week.

[@caewalker9276]

Can't wait for the new build, I love fish keeping and gardening. I'll be able to do both. Have a look at sponge filters to fit over the ends of your pipes to catch the solids.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have used the sponges before & found they clogged up too quickly, even after the RFF was added. I think a final polishing filter after the bio will help out a lot. Cheers Cae.

[@jefferywise1906]

Well Rob you have a few IBC tanks so they could be used as temporary housing for your fish. That will give you opportunity to move things around a bit. We all live and learn and knowledge breeds innovation. Keep up the work it's both great therapy and productive.

[@RobsAquaponics]

We haven't had any fish in the system for over 12 months now due to house renovations. Hope to have some sort of system set up by the new years so we can get some more Jades in. Cheers mate.

[@MrNate7125]

Some of sediment problem is loss of energy of the solid matter. If you pipe outlet stayed the same all the way out until the “Y” fitting then the velocity would stay up. Keep that in mind. Love your videos.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Nathan.

[@simplegrower5838]

I grow in deep water culture buckets in the winter. It's such a fascinating way to grow stuff and preserve fish life.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Simple Grower. I just started up growing in the Kratky style DWC hydroponics while I'm waiting to build my new aquaponics system & am very impressed. Cheers & happy growing.

[@downunderfulla6001]

It’s been bloody great, lots of things have gone on down this end of the yard since you had your first arrow of curiosity 🏹 the evolution of our interests is an important step, no two are ever the same 🍻🍻

[@RobsAquaponics]

Has definitely been a fun learning curve Bradley. 😉 Cheers mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for watching folks & don't forget to click the subscribe button if you enjoyed the video. Share the clip around with family & friends if you think they'll enjoy it too. 🐟 🌱🍅 Cheers all & have a top one. 😊 Rob

[@peterdraper4987]

Hi Bob. I'm a total greenhorn so thank you so much for being so informative. Is there a way I can send you my proposed layout for comment? I'm starting my build this coming weekend and would appreciate some advice if thats ok?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Peter. Sorry I missed this & your earlier email. I got your response email earlier as well. 👍 Cheers mate.

[@thecookeman]

Great clip again rob, going over something you would change in the future. I too did run with a 25mm pipe straight from my pump and had the same reduction issues you faced. I have since rebuilt my feedline 'manifold' all to 40mm closest the location of where they are needed, and removed all the 90D bends out of the system in favor of y fittings and then reduction down to 25mm. from my flow rate i have managed to get the same volume out of the pump lowering the pump down 8% which adds up over time in 24hr costs, not to mention i now have an additional 8% if needed! can suggest anyone do the same when planning out your system, try to remove or reduce all hard bends, from 90D to having better sweeping bends with 2x 45deg joins and try to keep the diameter of the pipe closest to your pump outlet as long and as high as you can also highly recommend oversizing your pump, i started with a 3000ltr then 6000 and finally at 20000ltr per hour. Larger pumps often draw less to move more! go straight to a DC pump where you can dial in your required flow rate

[@RobsAquaponics]

Running the largest diameter pipe you can is a huge energy saver. 👍 Thanks for the feedback mate. It will help others that like to learn from the comments. 😁👍

[@zesticide1010]

Thanks friend, this has given me an idea for an indoor project.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it grows well for you Carlos. 🌱👍👍

[@hillbillyprepper3987]

Hi Rob, Great lesson in aquaponics for those of us who are still learning through trial and error. I always appreciate your instructions and videos . Cant wait to see the reworked system up and flowing. Best regards, 🍻 Jarrod

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Jarrod & thanks Mate. One step closer as we had the bank inspection on Friday. Cheers mate.

[@sallyweiner4180]

I love learning from your learning!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Sal. 😊 Hope all's well with you & yours.

[@ToddLarsen]

I don't recommend bulk head fittings on a curved tank because when you flatten a round hole on a curved surface it turns into an oval shape and it's difficult to keep that from leaking. I would just use fish tank caulk to seal the leaks from the inside of the tank 👍👍 That for sharing and as always keep building👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have seen that happen a bit on the blue barrels. 👍 Cheers Todd & have a top one mate.

[@arunanthony8196]

Hey RB looking forward for your new set-up. I'm also planning to renovate my old system. Thank-you for the tips and tricks. It has helped me a lot.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help in some way AA. Have fun with the build.

[@SouthpawDavey]

You always learn as you go along. Rehousing the geckos to the back fence sounds like a good idea. Cheers

[@RobsAquaponics]

😂 Not sure that they'll get along with the neighbours geckos. I suppose we'll know there's been conflict if we find a few swimming with the fishes..... 😶😏 Cheers Dave.

[@1962fisherofmen]

Onethe things I’ve learned over the building Central systems for aquariums on the main pipe everything that comes off the tanks goes into a Y at an angle

[@nickhenley8040]

I'm looking to get into aquaponics so this is happening at a great time. Looking forward to what you come up with.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Added a clip looking at basic components last night if that interests you Nick, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHe3nZuXZchll6M Cheers & have a top one.

[@BiancaH1120]

Oof, the ‘happy growing’ really threw me for a second! 😂 brain kinda stalled trying to work it out 🤣

[@RobsAquaponics]

I had to re listen to it when editing as well if that's any consolation. It sounded to me like I was about to trip over my words but caught it just before it happened. 😂 Cheers & all the best.

[@DanDannyDanielleBob]

One feature i am playing with in my system is to use pots in the flood and drain tables. I find that the grow beds are too hard to keep muck free if the roots are allowed to spread and then rot after i harvest. The next feature for me will be to use a multi-zone irrigation controller so only a portion of beds are flooding and draining at any given time to allow more beds to be run on the same system volume. In the US you can buy that stainless mesh pre-made to fit buckets and barrels from biodiesel and brewing supply places.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for the tip on the mesh buckets. Might see if I can find any locally. 👍 Hope the controller works well for you hdjc86.

[@xuanzheng1960]

Thank you Rob, for your invaluable experience!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope the clip has helped you out some. 👍 Cheers & happy growing.

[@unstoppableExodia]

Haha this reminds me of my hydroponics setup from back in the day. It started out as a very down the line conventional design but over time and many revisions it evolved into something more holistic that included organic compost and was incorporating aquaponics. Unfortunately I had to move house and wasn’t able to bring it back. Where I live now I have a pool that I couldn’t be bothered maintaining with chlorine and everything (it costs so much money 😭) that is now a huge fish pond with a self sustaining colony of goldfish. I have a pump set up to water some plants in a very small scale aquaponics mainly to prevent the build up of nitrites and such from getting out of control. I wanna add silver perch and yabbies and any other edible aquatic life that can handle our cold winters down south. I have some expansion plans for the plants and aeration I want to add to it to really make it into something special.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sounds like a great project USE. 👍

[@brendoncase5311]

Hi Rob Another great clip. Thanks for all the info it has helped me get my head around the aquaponics setup. I currently have 4 grow beds outside and 4 in an igloo. Have had trouble keeping the nitrates reading above 40 ppm over winter. Lost most of the jades in the February heat wave no aeration at the time thought the water movement was enough. How wrong I was. Just ordered another lot of fingerlings to be delivered in two weeks. I have managed to keep the water above 15 degrees C over winter with solar heating averaging 18 C most days not to bad for Withcott Qld. My main mistake has been cutting the IBC tanks at the second ring making the beds about 350 mm deep "" didn't watch your clip close enough"" lucky I am using 20mm Blue metal heavy but it works. Looking forward to watching the rebuild.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one on the water Temp Brendon. 👍 I was struggling to keep it above 14° the last time we had Jades in the system over winter. What sort of heater are you using? Cheers mate.

[@jimginnyohio]

Great video Rob! Constant learning and improvement is the name of the game. You’re doing a great job!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate.

[@johannwynandvorndran706]

I can't wait for the new basic build DIY videos. I'm in the planning stage for mine and could use the inspiration. Thank for the video.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope to film one or two basic starter clips looking at components & popular layouts this week if I can shake this cold Johann. Hope to have at least one posted next weekend. Cheers mate.

[@smarthydroponics]

Plenty of good information there rob cheers

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate. 👍👍

[@neilcalliou896]

Don't worry about pipework flow restrictions, there Rob. Just throw on a gigantic over sized pump . Like Murray hulam would lol. Oh I'm bad lol! Joking aside, alot of good points on flow for sure. And the intro caught me off guard. Haha. But another awesome vid my friend! Take care Rob!

[@RobsAquaponics]

😏 That;'s one way to solve the issue 😂 Glad you enjoyed it Neil & I'm thinking about keeping the intro for the aqua clips, what do you think? Cheers mate.

[@neilcalliou896]

@@RobsAquaponics it's awesome, love what you do man!

[@keirfrei1504]

Thanks Rob, always a great inspiration!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Mate. Have a top one. 👍

[@rjaquaponics9266]

Great information. Summary, move water and stop solids not always easy or obvious. Also, water will always find the leak

[@RobsAquaponics]

That is very true Rj. Am heading around to see if there's any in my parents new system in a little bit. Cheers & have a top one.

[@youtuudodo]

Have you thought about using an above ground swimming pool to house the fish? Your thoughts on pros and cons would help a lot. Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

From what I've seen, the plastic used in those pools isn't food grade so I'd stay away from it myself. You can get food grade pond liner though & have seen folks use that to make fish tanks. 👍 Hope that helps some.

[@DanCarlyon1]

Thanks Rob, some great info,. Can't wait for the new system build its gunna be awesome

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Dan. Cheers mate.

[@exzactlyy]

Great stuff as usual Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Zachary. 👍👍

[@caribecastaway6447]

Thank You for the Great Information. It's nice to see the progress you are making, Day by Day week by week month by month. Keep the faith.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks CC. All the best to you & yours.

[@miettoisdev]

amazing knowledge sharing man, thank you very much.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful Felipe. 😁

[@otr-mtbandfitness]

One thing that occurs to me about the drain. From solids pickups to radial filter is that one could go with the small diameter on the horizontal line all the way to the “T” at the second fish tank. That would give you better velocity throughout. Draining 2 50mm lines into one 90mm should be about right if you do the area math. Cheers

[@RobsAquaponics]

👍 Cheers mate.

[@robynkuka4940]

Great video Rob 👍 very inspiring

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Robyn. Cheers. 👍

[@anupanuni]

Another great video! What's your opinion about continuous flow in media bed? Have you done any experiment! Thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I do think that they run fine as long as you remove as many solids as possible after the fish tank & the water is well aerated. I ran one bed as a constant flow at the start & found it made a great solids filter.😉 I think that was due to inefficient solids capture before the water made it out to the beds. The bed went aerobic & eventuated in a nitrite spike so removed it from the system. Our beds are running as a constant flow at the moment & haven't seen much of a build-up but that's due to next to no solids being generated. Hope that helps some.

[@fertiliza]

Helpful as always!! 🌱🐟

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks FT. 😊 Cheers & happy growing. 🐟 🥦🌱🍅

[@robjones2852]

Really helpful video Rob, thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Rob.

[@csommer4492]

This information is so cool and valuable, thanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks ChalkDaddy. Cheers & have a top one.

[@mikehotel02]

Thanks Mate ,looking forward to the next videos

[@RobsAquaponics]

Posted a new aqua one last night if you're interested Mike. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHe3nZuXZchll6M Happy growing mate.

[@scud100]

Amazing content. Can’t thank you enough for creating this

[@RobsAquaponics]

My pleasure Scud100. 👍 Hope it helped you out with a few ideas. Cheers.

[@brianlarsson6808]

what do you do about heavy rainfall influencing water volume in the system? do you cover the grow beds, shut down the water cycling or what?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Brian. I like to leave a 100L/26.5gal free board in the sump to take up any excess water collected due to rain. 👍 My next system will have an over flow drain that will run down to plants in the garden to direct the nutrients from any overflow to where they can be used. Hope that helps some.

[@arufuponics8415]

Hi Rob, great clip with insight into what you would have done differently always some of the most helpful clips for someone like me. :) Can I ask? how come, when you have your SLO up high, are you not letting that drop down to the top of your radial flow filter top, and then have the center column be the outlet ? that way the solids will not need the flow rate to be pushed back up through the center column and you can simplify the pipe work. the SLO should also have enough flow that you wont see a buildup of anything. :) anyway, works great for me, but might not work for you. Cheers Rob, have a great day

[@RobsAquaponics]

Having the water change direction at the top of the stilling well will help to slow the flow a bit. If it was to flow straight down it would be harder for the solids to fall out of suspension. Hope that helps some mate. Cheers.

[@arufuponics8415]

That makes sense ;) the way I got around that was to angle the intake a bit and then have the water column rise up and over and edge to get the slow down I need. :)

[@forageforage3520]

Excellent Thanks Bob...

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you enjoyed it FF. Have a great one.

[@KristoferJati]

Do you think you could put a crustacean species into the sediment rest tank or your sump tank?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not with the pH that I like to run the system at (6.3-6.8). They would have issues trying to develop a thick enough shell I think. I have seen folks include them with no issues but they also tend to run their pH a bit higher. Cheers. 👍

[@justingilbert4778]

Hey Rob. Greatly appreciate your videos. Have you published any purchable books on how to setup systems? I am keen to buy one or two ASAP

[@RobsAquaponics]

I haven't sorry Justin but am wanting to sort out a basic how to in the near future. Having issues trying to find the time to get to it. Cheers mate.

[@justingilbert4778]

@@RobsAquaponics Thanks for the reply, Rob. Thank makes two of us. I would ha e liked to have bought one if available. Speaking of which, I am a bilingual writer btw and could possibly help you out when you are interested. Speak into the microphone and leave the editing etc to me...kind of approach

[@yaujenetot]

From Russia with understading) Очень познавательное видео.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks mate. Have a top one.

[@justinhoffman5339]

Can you do up a video on the original design of your fish tanks, so we can perhaps understand what was done to get the correct water flow? The vertical tank has so many advantages. 1. It puts your fish tank output above the rest of your system without having to build a platform. 2. A tall cylinder is more stable than a shorter one of the same volume when it comes to holding liquid. 3. It's hard to find a short, wide cylindrical container (unless you're buying custom or new). And it's not exactly feasible to make your own fish tank, because a) building a cylinder is difficult; b) a rectangular fish tank needs to be considerably more sturdy (ie. bulkier and heavier) than a cylinder.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Justin. I don't have any pictures of the original set up at Paul's house sorry mate so am only working on memory. The inlet to the fish tank was half way down the wall & had a venturi on the inside adding air/O2 to the water. It was also twin drain with a smaller 25mm/1" solids drain coming out from the base with a 40mm/1½" clean water/skimmer drain exiting at the top from memory. Sorry but that's the best I can do mate.

[@CatarineausArmory]

I use IBC for the fish. They have not complained a bit. Lots of room for adventures.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have used them as well with very few issues 👍

[@laylahill2029]

Hey I am really interested in going into aquaponics but I was wondering if the electric cost is high to run the pumps to filter the fish water (and everything else the pumps are used for)? Please answer thank you 👇❤

[@RobsAquaponics]

I think ours worked out to be around AUD$1.50 a day to run without including the solar we generate & contribute. It all comes down to the size of the pump & how much power they chew through. The one I'm using is 230w & have seen some as small as 50w that will pump a decent amount. Have seen a few folks set up decent 24v systems as well that run from solar & batteries. Haven't had any experience with them myself though. Cheers.

[@McDowallManor]

I made the same mistake with tanks size - too narrow and too deep. Rookie mistake for a bloke who bred tropicals for so long.

[@RobsAquaponics]

It's not one Bianca wants me to make again. She need 2 besser brick to be able to look over the edge of these. 😂😉 Cheers Mr Andy.

[@SIRO9767]

Hi Rob. I’m really enjoying your blogs. We are moving to another place soon her in Victoria You have inspired me to start my Aquaponics. Question; you may have already mentioned this and I’ve missed that blog. What water do you use to top up your system. Is rain tank water suitable. Also I have seen some yank clips where the use a sphere shape at the bottom of their seperation tanks to catch and drain the solids. What are your thoughts. Keep up the great blogs.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi David. I use tap water to do top-ups as it's fairly "hard" so helps to add some alkalinity to the system. Best to let it gas off the chlorine first. 👍 Not sure what you mean with the filter drain? Have you got a link I can suss out? I know I'd prefer to use s cone-shaped base but they're not that cheap from what I've seen online. Will be splashing out to get one for the raft bed system though. Cheers.

[@SIRO9767]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHanoIOoYr99i6s Hi Rob. Thanks for your reply. You rock. I not very Tech savvy so I hope you get this link to the filter I was trying to Describe. I like how all the solids fulls to a funnel shape at the base of the solids filter. Cheers

[@RobsAquaponics]

I get you now. 👍👍 Cheers mate

[@SmirnockIce]

Man I love your videos and enthusiasm so much! Makes me want to try Aquaponics. Can you even get Uni Seals in the UK??

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Tim. 👍 There is a mob that sells them but I thought their prices were a bit OTT. www.unisealshop.com/page.cfm?page=20&unisealid=308 Hope that helps mate.

[@conanruisi]

Maybe certain parts of the system could benefit from being made of metal, in commercial food production we use sanitary tri-clamp fittings, they may prove useful in certain areas. Generally speaking they use food grade stainless steel and you can obtain tri-clamp to NPT or FPT or whatever the case.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cost is the major setback with using SS. I did have a second hand 2000L milk vat offered to me once but just didn't have the space.

[@conanruisi]

@@RobsAquaponics they do make IBCs and barrels out of it but the IBCs cost as much as a car. The barrels are closer to reality but you’re absolutely right. You would also have to do quite a bit of welding yourself to keep costs down.

[@kevinhoy9336]

Thanks Rob. 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps in some way mate. Cheers Kevin.

[@brianash1080]

Hi Rob you showed IBCs with red tops at the beginning of the clip, are they food grade? are they suitable? regards Brian

[@RobsAquaponics]

They certainly are Brian. All are made from High density polyethylene (HDPE). 👍

[@blakee121]

Awsome rob thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Blake. 👍👍

[@sweetlovetiger]

To bad you didn't have space to lift the fish tanks and drop the filters down a level I have gravity take it out to the grow beds and go ahead and then go to the subtank to get just pumped back to the fish tanks so it's taking less pumps and also it would go ahead and increase your water pressure through your line. Just a idea for you good learning tips thank you for them so I'm glad you shared the experience. Do you have a site to buy something's for aquaponics

[@RobsAquaponics]

Our first 2 systems were set up as a single loop systems as you described. 👍 I like the split flow as it means I can take beds or even fish tanks offline without disrupting the flow to other components. I sell a few bit's & pieces on this site, www.bitsouttheback.com/ Cheers GM & have a top one.

[@9squares]

I have a small aquaponics farm in Thailand that doesn't seem to be doing as well as it could. Tomato plants in media beds grow large with healthy and abundant foliage but flowering is minimal and the flowers do not fruit. Cantelope and cucumber also in media beds both suffer from yellowing spots on older growth but they flower and fruit. Growing cabbage, different types of lettuce, and kale in a DWC. These leafy greens look reasonably healthy but take much longer to mature than the seed packets indicate and don't seem to fully develop. I have tried adding Magnesium Sulfate, Soluble Kelp, and Iron Chelate to the system water but these only seem to make things worse. I was wondering if you add anything to your system water? I am sure you are very busy but any advice you might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Some of the specifics of my one year old system: 9800 liters total system water 2 fish tanks (2000 liters each) w/ 90 Juvenal tilapia combined 1 DWC (4000 Liters) and six media beds (Hydroton) 1 Radial flow filter and a system flow rate of 70 LPM Temp: 30°C, Ph: 6.8, Ammonia: 0.1, Nitrites: 0.0, Nitrates 2.0 The grow-out area is inside of a screened poly tunnel without the poly. The DWC has 60% shade cloth, media beds are direct sun

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Tim. It might just be that you're not adding enough feed to the system yet to run all the beds. Maybe take a few offline until the fish are consuming more & producing more waste. Have you seen any improvement since posting this? Cheers.

[@9squares]

@@RobsAquaponics The DWC leafy greens are doing marginally better but I attribute that to the addition of some air stones. The plants in my media beds continue to struggle. I have been feeding 560g /day of fish food with additional duck weed for several months now. I have around 60 mid to large Tilapia and 20 or so fingerlings. I have been experimenting with lesser quantities of Iron Chelate, Soluble Kelp, and stopped adding Magnesium Sulfate but I think I am going to try ceasing all additions and see what happens. If you ever get up to Thailand, you have a place to stay in trade for your observations and wisdom, be sure to look me up. I could really use some advice.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@9squares Thanks for the offer Tim. Have a few folks in Thailand I wouldn't mind meeting in real life. Cheers.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Hey Rob great video Thanks. Been following you for a bit now and wanted to do what you had set up ...glad to hear that your going to re due things to make it smarter ...can't wait for the videos. Though I have a question. How do you plan on moving the fish? Are you leaving them in the tanks? Or? Reason I ask ...I'm going to need to move (my future system) mine across the state ...approx. 375 miles (5 hrs of driving).

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Eric. Haven't had any fish in the system for over a year now. I have moved fish in the pasted & used sealed 100L/25gal barrels with a lid. Had some air stones in the drum that were powered by a 240/12V backup air pump. Mind you, we were only travelling 20km/12miles so the battery didn't need to last too long. A deep cycle of some sort of connection to the electrics in your vehicle would probably be a better option for you. 👍

[@gateway8833]

I’m still jealous of your beard. It is the stuff of dreams.

[@RobsAquaponics]

😅 Cheers AB.

[@dannysons1981]

I am having problems with my water vacuum bell valve - when I add lots of supply water the bell valve starts to drain but air suction doesn’t break and it continues continuos - I lowered the supply and now bell valve doesn’t fill to make suction it continually runs same amount of supply - my plants are standing in constant water and I’m having some wilt problems - I’m note sure where to start with what correction - help

[@RobsAquaponics]

The video below has a few fixes in it Danny 👍 It should start at the start of the trouble shooting section. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqG5q6aDlJyokNE Hope that helps.

[@jesseowens1492]

Use a street L in the piping. It's also called a swoop

[@RobsAquaponics]

We don't get the swooping bends for the pressure pipe here on OZ unfortunately Jesse.

[@mattdawson7055]

👍 good vid mate, love the clickbait had to watch it straight away couldnt help myself (usually save em for my lunch break at work). Shared it as always

[@RobsAquaponics]

😂 Had a few complaints about it but Meh! Cheers Mr Matt. 👍👍

[@ambertracks]

what medium are you using in your bioreactor ? link ?

[@RobsAquaponics]

It's called PE03 from SmallBoss from China. Kaldness is another brand & the equivalent size would be K2. 👍 HTH mate.

[@andybush368]

Nice one top man 😁

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Mr Andy. 👍👍

[@nihatceylan4127]

Thank you 👏👏

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps some mate. Cheers.

[@246Daniel246]

Thank you for the advice #Time to play Daniel Ay

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Daniel.

[@albertwilson3396]

What's an upflow filter

[@RobsAquaponics]

The quick answer is, Water enters through the base & passes through media. Solids are collected on the media then the clean water exits the top. When it comes time for cleaning, the water flow in is stopped & air is introduced through an air stone to dislodge the solids from the media. They settle to the base & are drawn off to be utilised outside the system. Hope that helps some Albert.

[@albertwilson3396]

Hmm ok thanks

[@drrahilakurdi5943]

thnk u

[@RobsAquaponics]

👍 Hope it helps you out some. 😁

[@S....]

Are you having the water pump turned on 24/7 or is it on timer? Can't find a good answer, everybody say something different..

[@wizardmovers9309]

I run solar never stops

[@S....]

@@wizardmovers9309 Ain't that too much?

[@wizardmovers9309]

@@S.... runs on solar set up with light sensor so goes off at night Only air stones run over night

[@S....]

@@wizardmovers9309 This is not an answer to my question but ok.

[@RobsAquaponics]

We leave ours on 24/7 here so the fish waste water can be constantly filtered. Hope that helps.

[@jd_world8938]

Guide me I want to build aquaponics DWC raft

[@RobsAquaponics]

Haven't built one myself but will post a clip once I do. 👍

[@wizzzard_ponics]

wow, just what i thought

[@RobsAquaponics]

😁

[@catprog]

My biggest mistake would be trying tomatoes in a half barrel set-up

[@RobsAquaponics]

Let me guess, 🤔 You had a few root issues? The other issue I had with large plants in small clay filled beds is that the roots got pulled out when the plant went sideways. Cheers mate.

[@catprog]

@@RobsAquaponics And then the water leaked over the top.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@catprog Makes me wonder how folks can grow bananas & pawpaw in ½ barrels with how large their roots get. Cheers.

[@giantsalad]

Nice

[@RobsAquaponics]

Tar 👍

[@SsDiBoi]

The false bottom principal would remove a lot of that debris with a waste valve

[@RobsAquaponics]

I'm not sure that would work on a flood & drain as the draining of the bed from the base would suck the solids along with the water. It may work in a constant flood bed. 🤔

[@SsDiBoi]

@@RobsAquaponics I’m talking about the bio media)of course it would work if the exit is at the same level as the false bottom and below the false bottom a waste valve

[@SsDiBoi]

Kinda like a radial flow filter but wit a false bottom/ it’ll make ur shaded plants thrive in pure sun

[@brandonfontaine285]

THey make long sweep elbows or use 2 45 degree

[@RobsAquaponics]

I use the double 45° method as we can't get sweeping bends for pressure pipe here in Australia as far as I know.

[@OnlineCabs]

I'll do like this

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope the build goes well for you. 👍

[@exandious867]

I hope you are able to read this: but let me ask, do you think having both the bio filter and the grow media that you are producing nitrate more effectively or possibly providing an abundance in your system? Is it increasing productivity in your beds? decreasing growth period? Also with the solids filter. I seem to understand two separate opinions: the first, that if you are using a grow media you don't need a solids filter as the media is absorbing enough of it to prevent any ph spikes and if you have worms in your media they will consume the remainder left on the media's surface. The second, that the solids filter prevents solid build up from not only excrement, but also other organic or inorganic solids that make it in the system (im assuming they mean like hard water build up? maybe dirt or pebbles? I find it hard to see any system working with such chemicals entering its system enough to have build up, but I suppose conditions vary with each grower. ) With which do you align? Thanks mate

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Marcus & sorry it took a while to get back to you. The biofilter adds some more flexibility to the system. It allowed me to have close to 100 fish in a system that only had enough grow beds to process the waste from half that amount. It also allows me to disconnect the grow beds from the system for maintenance without the fish waste going un processed. Some folks will claim that worms will eat all the solids but that's a bit misleading. They also create a lot of solids as waste & when they die. Not all of theses solids can be taken up by the plants so if left to build up can cause issues with aerobic zones & denitrification in a worst case scenario. I prefer to not to have the bulk of the solids in there & that way it's one less thing that can go pear shaped with the system. I still think it's a great idea to add the worms though. 👍 You'll also find that most of nutrients required by the plants can be found in the water like the ammonia so the plants will have more than they need in a well stocked & maintained system. BTW, the solids that are removed can also be mineralised into a plant available form & added back into the system if you want to set up a mineralisation system. Cheers.

[@jamesw9485]

Rob has anyone ever told you that you look like Liam Neeson ??

[@RobsAquaponics]

Yes but I can't see it. 😄😉 Cheers. 👍

[@reha6719]

Can i know how much profit did u make with this built in a month from the harvest of the plants ?

[@RobsAquaponics]

None Rehan. We either ate the veggies or gave them away to folks we know. 👍 I'm into aquaponics more as a sustainable way to clean the water from the fish we're growing to eat than for plant production. Cheers.

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

With the same water pump, you can get free compressed air adding a Trompe.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have seen a few folks say that but am yet to see one in action on an aquaponics system. Would like to see a link if you have one.

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

@@RobsAquaponics kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIeZnYp7mtCsoaM

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@quantumenergysolutions9128 Have seen that one before. 👍 To run a system like that I would need a larger pump as the one I have. That means extra electricity which would negate any savings I'd get. Would be fine if I was running a larger pump but would probably just use a venturi. Don't have the room with the current system to fit in the other tanks. Do you run one on your system?

[@quantumenergysolutions9128]

@@RobsAquaponics If yours or anyone else's 's pump can already handle eg 2m of head then any system can have a free constant air supply that can be directed anywhere you like, after a test you will know or not if it can replace your air pump. sure if you were building a new system you need to do your maths about the pump size, and the cost savings of not needing an air pump. Which is exactly what im doing to do for my next system. I will also install a diy Dan Winter;Clayton Hybrid water structuraliser for turbo growth, Will also bubble HHO into the water, When in small closed systems ,my brewing will provide free co2! And the entire system will be in a Generated Orgone Bubble euphoria field, which is a spin of tech of Karl Hans Welz's ahead of his time work. (FB Bubble Tech Group, advanced powered orgone tech!) As venturis dont use free gravity they consume more energy as you discovered!

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@quantumenergysolutions9128 I'm open to any suggestions folks can give after running the system for themselves so please report back. 👍 If I was to try every suggestion folks made in regards to aquaponics, veggie beds, composting & mushroom growing I'd be forever tinkering & get nothing done for myself or help others. Hope you understand.

[@ared18t]

I need one for my house. I would never have to buy groceries again hahaha.

[@RobsAquaponics]

If only that was the case 😉 Cheers & have a top one.

[@NikopolAU]

13:55 but.. but.. Those poor geckos....

[@RobsAquaponics]

😅😅 They do fine all by themselves. Find them everywhere around the place here & think they were partly responsible for keeping the grub numbers down in the current system. 👍 Cheers & have a top one.

[@TheHotEndChannel]

care for a trip down to Victoria high country to setup my system :D

[@RobsAquaponics]

All expenses paid Anthony? 🤔 😉 Hows the "new" place?

[@jmkm88]

I don’t mind the click bait title ! I feel like I know you enough to know you were going to apologise for it right away 😂

[@RobsAquaponics]

Something had to be done to raise the tanking views + I figured folks that have followed me long enough would forgive me this once. . 😉😂 Cheers & have a top one R&R.

[@eWarriorDLC]

What would you do instead?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Mentioned a few things I'd do differently in the clip.

[@harrywhite7287]

You have a killer beard.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Mr Harry. 👍

[@harrywhite7287]

@@RobsAquaponics Hey Rob. Nice to talk with you. I'm currently setting up my second aquaponics system. I made a chop and flip system several years ago that worked well but has now been decommissioned. My new system is inside a greenhouse and is much larger. I started with a 4 half barrel flood and drain system which has herbs, tomatoes, peppers and squash. I've watched many of your videos and you have helped me quite a bit. Thanks for that. Phase two of my system is under construction and will be a tower system. I'm having a blast and it appears you are too. I'll send some pictures if you're interested. I'm in Florida.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Post a clip once it all sorted & I'll check it out. 👍 Cheers Harry.

[@Master-Shannon]

Too late 😱

[@RobsAquaponics]

It's never too late.

[@Master-Shannon]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm jokes aside I did make a few changes to your system. One change was, I put some plastic matting over half the bottom of the tank to reduce stress on the fish. However, to my surprise the river fish have been using it as the spawning area. So I get lots of fry, which I can transfer to a smaller tank to stop cannibalism. No more having to buy fish.

[@RobsAquaponics]

That's great mate. 👍 What sort of fish are they?

[@Master-Shannon]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm I am here in sub alpine Japan, so I went with local river fish because it gets down to it as low as -10 here in winter and I’ll be running my tanks cold over the winter. Rather than the variety I think it is likely the conditions.Since this is my first run at Aquaponics, There are only three fish of 300 L tank. And, I know they’re definitely overfed. Also the fake grass at the bottom of the tank likely mimics their natural environment. I would say the three conditions that would be different from a normal set up. Finally, I found two different sizes of fry. So I guess this was their second batch and I didn’t see the first batch because they were hiding. Maybe you need a small breeding tank set aside for the good looking jade

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@Master-Shannon Nice one mate. Have you thought about growing wasabi? You can probably pick it wild but it sounds like the system has the right temp's for it.

[@whogivemethishand]

Gecko's on a stick, BBQ

[@RobsAquaponics]

😂 Not these ones. The're just tiny Asian house geckos😕

[@nathanrogers8713]

Lol I want a box that houses geckos...

[@RobsAquaponics]

😄They're fun to watch but a pain to clen up after. ;)

[@wesledford8564]

Who is that one hater....😑

[@RobsAquaponics]

I always get one almost as soon as I post clips. I figure that they have no life. ;) Cheers Wes

[@forgetfulfunctor2986]

SO IF YOU HAD OF KEPT IT AS IT WAS SOLD AND NOT MODIFIED ANYTHING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER??? LOL

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not really as it was set up as an aquaculture system. 😉😂 I needed add lines for grow beds & plumb them differently due to the layout of my block. Cheers.

[@vinvan4237]

Looks way overly complicated to grow vegetables. All the chemicals from the plastic must end up in the fish meat?

[@RobsAquaponics]

If you live in a major city then you'd be exposed to the same plastics in your water supply or used to water the veggies you buy. They are the same grade of pipes I use. 😉 The main goal of aquaponics is to grow fish & take the stress of the overly polluted oceans & not support factory-farmed fish.

[@vinvan4237]

@@RobsAquaponics I doubt the plastics make it into the plant matter. A lot of toxins accumulate in the fat of animals. With a closed system like this, the chemicals have no where else to go. It would seem to make more sense to minimize the plastic in the system and build it out of masionary as much as possible. And flush the water out regularly. I wonder if you put soil in those raised beds and just put a watering system in that watered the soil every day and collected the run off if that would be a lot easier and result in the same amount of plant growth. Of course you would need to add compost or organic matter every so often. I guess for just growing fish. But to be honest I would prefer to eat fish caught from the ocean than your system. I would guess the levels of plastics in your system are much higher than the ocean. But I have not seen any studies looking at the levels of such chemicals in fish in aquaponics.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@vinvan4237 Phthalates are water-soluble & are measured by a urine test. They are one of the biggest concerns as it's affecting the development of males in the womb as they affect sex organ development in males as well as overall fertility. I have searched Aussie manufactures of HDPE & PVC water pipe & none use Phthalates or BPA in their creation. The reason these plastics are used above others is that they are stable & can be used in organic certified farming practices. Cheers.

[@vinvan4237]

@@RobsAquaponics Well I am still skeptical I have read studies looking at the leaching of many types of plastic into both water and ethanol. Every plastic even the food grade one leached various chemicals. Hence when I brew beer I only use glass despite their being many supposedly safe plastic options. I would remain skeptical till I saw real data testing the fish and plant flesh/material.