DIY venturi, a few easy builds for aquaponics, aquaculture or hydroponics..

I really like the idea of aerating the fish tank by venturi to save some coin & help make the system quieter.. A mate shared an idea with me for a unit he had been working on & was happy with.. I decided to have a crack at his idea along with a few others to see which I thought would work the best for our set up.. I was most pleased with the results & ended up going with the "Bear Unit".. I have had one in the aquaponic fish tank for over 2 weeks now with no issues & have plans to add another to a moving bed bio filter that will be added to the system soon..
Was also very pleased with the off the shelf unit. That one will be going into the moving bed bio filter in the recirculating aquaculture system & is also being used in the fish tanks on the new aquaponics system.
The black "off the shelf" venturi used in this clip is now available through our "Blog Store". All ordering information is on the link below.
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#Aquaponics #AquaponicSystem #AquaponicGrowing

[@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. 🐟 🍓 🌱

[@tuvoca825]

Nice. Only people who understand what they are looking at would appreciate all the nuances. Thank you!

[@RobsAquaponics]

You are welcome & have a top one.

[@nicholaswilliams2312]

Thank you Rob for kindly sharing your knowledge on venturi. An added bonus I came across is if your sump tank Pump is stopped the venturi will prevent water from syphoning back through the pump saving the use of one-way valves. Nick.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps you out some Nick & sorry for taking a while to rep[ly. 👍 Cheers mate.

[@jetsixsix]

Great info, thanks for making this video. I needed a quick and cheap solution to start adding air to my pond, as it's been hot and dry here in Florida, at least for this time of the year. Coupled with it being too still, it was starting to stagnate and I didn't want to end up with a fish kill if I waited too long. The pond's main purpose is as a sort of fire hydrant, since there is no municipal water services where we are, but we enjoy the snakes, fish, frogs, and turtles that call it home as well. The ideas in the video helped get the job done, for now. I've got an artesian well that's used for keeping the pond filled, so I just added a venturi in to the line. I experimented with putting it at the start, middle, and end of the line, and having it by the valve works well while avoiding the problems with locating it elsewhere. (Debris, pond height, etc.) I did find that by extending the length of the air line coming in, it actually suppressed the sucking sound quite a bit. That extra length also allowed me to orient the opening towards the ground, protecting it from being bumped and keeping the opening from having stuff fall or blow in to it. It's not the ideal solution for my application, but I think it will help out until I can bury electric service out to it and buy a proper aerator for a pond this size. Again, your video was very helpful, thanks for taking the time to make it. Simple Venturi For Pond Aeration

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one mate.. Thanks for the clip.. Looks like you're getting a load of air into the water & am glad it's worked out for you.. Are those solar pumps any good for aeration purposes ? Cheers & all the best..

[@DannerJade]

I really like your videos. They are the right mix of technical and conversational, and have kept me up many a nights figuring out how I want to expand my little backyard system! Thanks so much!

[@jdwilsun]

I airated 12,000 fish with a submersed water pump which carried water horizontally to fall back in the pond. I put a Y fitting backwards in that line so it sucked in air. It helps if there is at least a meter of horizontal pipe after the Y to allow the air & water to mix before falling back into the pond. So simple.

[@RobsAquaponics]

👍 Nice one.

[@deaffatalbruno]

I used similar constructions in fish tanks. If u get larger bubbles, it helps to run the outlet of the pipe against the wall of the tank. If you have some decent pressure then the large bubbles will hit the wall of the tanks and burst in small bubbles. Worked really well in my fish tanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there & thanks for that.. Ended up running with a few I was given in the aquaculture build but think the home made jobbies will get a run somewhere in the new system soon.. Cheers, Rob..

[@czar89031]

I love the idea of this Venturri aerator,.. thanks for sharing your magnificent creation, from USA & THAILAND

[@RobsAquaponics]

No Problem Cesar. Cheers.

[@wettexan]

Cheers Mate!! Rob, you are a beautiful break from the day-to-day depression/horrors of the news of the day instilling hope for the future. I'm grateful to be in a position that I may have a chance to put your ideas into practice here in central TX. The future can only tell. Wishing you and B all the best, sir.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Eric & thanks mate. Hope the build goes smoothly if you have a crack at it. 👍 Cheers & all the best to you & yours.

[@ernieyribe8767]

Thank you Rob. I'll be using a venturi for my small fish system. Thank you again for all your great videos!!! Ernie from Temecula, Califorinia USA.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Ernie Yribe Hi Ernie. Am glad the clips have given you a few useful ideas. Hope the season has started off well for you over there. Rob

[@charlesobrien3871]

Put a spray bar at the surface making bubbles and that will give you plenty of oxygenation . That's how I set my aquaponic system up. Works great for me. So far everything we have put in there is growing good. Thanks for all the good info you share with us. Charlie...

[@stevegodley8744]

Hi Rob. Greetings from the West Coast of Canada! Just thought I would pass along to everyone something that I learned at a seminar on aquaculture. If you're ever wondering if there's enough dissolved oxygen for your fish, just watch and see if they spend most of their time hanging about at the the bottom of the tank. If they do, then you have enough oxygen, as there will always be higher concentrations of O2 near the surface, due of course to the fact that gases are lighter than water and tend to get pushed up. This is why fish will gasp at the surface if they are short of oxygen. I thought it was a very useful tip when I heard it, and thought I'd pass it on. Love the vids and your delivery. Keep "em comin'!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Steve. Have a top one.

[@AndrewMcLaughlinAM]

Awesome technique for getting more air in the fish tank without the annoying water pump buzz! #aquaponics #aeration

[@oscar86456]

Rob...this video is really awesome! you answer all my questions through your very detailed, i surely do this to my backyard. thanks a lot once again.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it works out well for you :) Cheers & have a great one, Rob..

[@Kyee71]

Another outstanding Idea !!!, thanks for taking the time to share what you're doing with your aquaponics setups, I'll defiantly be using this idea on my setup.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it gave you a few useful ideas.. Cheers & have a great one..

[@jpollard117]

Rob Bob: Since you were curious about other people's take on the venturi I will give it a go. The first place I ever used a venturi was in science lab. The faucet was designed to shoot out a jet of aerated water and the venturi air intake was our vacuum line. Later I noticed a dozen venturi on my hot tub. Same design, the fast jet of water causes low pressure and thus air is sucked in (velocity and pressure in a tube math). In a practical application high pressure occurs at points of dilation in a tube. Aneurysm in a blood vessel or a bubble in your garden hose. Low pressure at the constricted points where velocity is increased. MY POINT - buy your venturi from the spa store or online spa depot or whatever, they are the spa or hot tub jets. My contribution for your wonderful videos. Thank you again, from USA.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for that Tanner.. Have had a few folks recommend the spa units but haven't played with one as of yet though.. Cheers & have a great one, Rob..

[@DonMallicoat]

I used the 90 version style, but with a T (end with the pen pointed up and capped with a hole drilled in it) and used the bic pen. However I slightly crimped the end into a small slit. This dramatically reduced my bubble size and has been working well in my 450 gallon system for almost 3 months.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Don.. That was the only style I saw around when I first started to look into venturis.. Made one along those line but used the thin aquarium air line instead of the pen in the top of the cap & had no real luck with it so gave away playing with them for a while.. Would really like to play around with a dissolved O2 meter to see how well they really work when it comes to bubble size.. Have added it to my B'Day wish list with the boss but don't like my chances :D Cheers sir & have a great one, Rob.

[@jokervienna6433]

This is very smart. I used to have a basement full of aquariums, breeding aquarium fish half professionally. I experimented with venturi-solutions there and getting rid of some air pumps was great. The only thing I have to add is that if you use soft elbows (not the 90 degree variant), you will optimize water flow. The water will then be able to "screw" itself through the bend and you will not loose as much pump capacity.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks JV. have a top one.

[@Martin-pb7ts]

Hi Rob, thank you very much for this video. A forum member (from Murray's forum) directed me here when I said that the venturi was the one thing in AP that I didn't really "get". Well now I do thanks to this video. Regards, Martin.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Martin.. Glad the clip helped out.. Are you setting up a new system? Cheers mate & have a great one :)

[@Martin-pb7ts]

Rob Bob Hi Rob, not currently setting up a system as trying to emigrate to your part of the world. So kind of in limbo but definitely learning all I can to be able to set one up when the time is right. Regards, Martin.

[@1pathseeker]

Hi Rob, from what I've read the size of the bubbles really makes on difference as their not in the water long enough to make a difference. It's the bubbles breaking the surface tension that does the oxygenation but like most things their are as many schools of thought as ways to do things. Thanks for the video mate.

[@jmajick4415]

It's one of those things that works but most everyone is wrong about why it works. A powerhead in the tank may be a better option than injecting dirty air into your water at high speeds

[@benjaminmendoza41]

Thank you for sharing. I recently build a 16000 gallon Koi pond with a 5'X 10' bog filter. I wanted to induce air to the water as it entered the bog. Your DIY will make that happen.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope the venturi does the trick for you Benjamin.👍

[@1943L]

Nice simple options, thanks.If a really efficient Venturi is required it does need a taper inside the water feed tube that has two angles. The air intake enters at the low pressure point.

[@ondrobaco]

thanks for the video. I went ahead and made the one elbow venturi version and replaced my air pump in IBC as I had parts in the garage already. It took about 10 minutes to make and it worked great. I found that you can make bubbles smaller and more plentiful when you make several small holes on the vertical pipe that is delivering pumped water with air to the bottom of the IBC.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Ondro & thanks for that.. Shall try it on one of the DIY jobbies in the fish farm & compare it against the other tank.. I found the deeper I tried to send the air the less I got so only have a 6-8" pipe in there now.. Cheers Mate & all the best, Rob..

[@ondrobaco]

gladly Rob. happy to share my findings. after all i installed the venturi only because of your video :-) . my pipe goes all the way to the bottom which is about 90 cm and the bubbles apart from escaping alongside the vertical pipe get also to the bottom of the pipe. the bubbles are not tiny tiny, but defintely smaller than when there are no holes.

[@patmencke1906]

Thank you. I haven't heard anything about venturi here in the States. Love the sound of just the bubbles. You do good things and I appreciate it.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Pat... There are a few different styles you can pick up from Ebay fairly cheaply.. They are normally used in spar baths or for liquid injection of fertiliser into irrigation lines the garden.. I like the home made units over them as I get to tinker around ;) Cheers & have a great one, Rob..

[@Rockmachine99]

I have a video up with one in my flood bed...all thanks to you sir.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Clinton W Nice job Clinton. Like how you can see the bubbles through the hose. Cheers mate & hope you get a nice yield :-)

[@philipkindleysides3471]

The idea you shared works perfectly. Don't buy one when you can make your own for under $5 AUD. Thanks Rob :)

[@thomaspaxton5041]

very solid and practical design. thank you SO much for sharing this priceless information.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thomas Paxton Hope it helps you out some Thomas. Cheers mate.

[@thomaspaxton5041]

RobBobs Backyard Farming i have a question. i tried, basically, this exact set up but where im supposed to be drawing air in, its spitting water out.... what am i doing wrong?

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Thomas Paxton Hi Thomas. Sorry for the slow reply. Have you sorted out the unit yet mate ?

[@BetterDeadThanRed99]

Try restricting the air supply with a small valve and it will dramatically reduce the size of the bubbles! You want bubbles that are so small that they remain suspended; unable to break the surface tension force of the water and escape. You'll know when you've got it, the exhaust will look very 'milky' in appearance. These fascinatingly tiny bubbles can actually break down fine solids in the system and convert them into plant available nutrients :) That's why I'm installing one inside of a shallow DWC raft system that feeds into my media bed, so that the inlet water is always pre-oxygenated. My experience with indoor hydroponics helped me realize the importance of increasing total dissolved oxygen levels. I really cannot stress the significance. The impact on the plants is observable and immediate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Also running a larger pump than I used to demonstrate hen will help as well. 😉

[@BetterDeadThanRed99]

@@RobsAquaponics That works best actually. If you have an old fish tank lyin 'round, set up a demo!

[@ranchoarmonia]

thank you very much for the teaching aquaponics Javier greetings from Uruguay

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there... Just showing how things have gone for us here with our backyard system.. Hope to do some formal studies on aquaponics in the future once my home duties are done here.. Cheers Javier, Rob.

[@anielaszymanska9592]

I love your fantastic ideas which lovely to follow Good luck in the future All the best

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Aniela Szymanska thanks Aniela. All the best to you as well :-)

[@brucescallan]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, its a awesome help which assists me in my trial and error era. Bruce South Africa

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Bruce.. Glad the clips are giving you a few ideas.. Have fun with the build, Rob..

[@matthickey209]

this was a very good idea inspire me now some day I'll make my own

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it works well for you Matt. Cheers.

[@elmonik]

Cheers for the video, it helped me design my own venturi and finally get rid of my air pump, I've decided not to put mine in my fish tank, I've got mine in my sump, I have had to restrict the flow between my pump and fish tank with a ball valve because my fish tank started overflowing, (my pump may be a little to powerful🤣) I've redirected the water that I've restricted from going into my fish tank back through a venturi and it returns to my sump which adds oxygen to my water. I do have a video on my very new channel (it's the only one so far) if you want to see how it works.

[@sissymurphy9620]

I love your video .I have a little over 3000 gallon pond and just rebuilt and think I am going to make one of your venturi .Thank you for the great video .I will be making one .

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey there.. Glad you found the build useful & has given you a few ideas.. Cheers, Rob.

[@sissymurphy9620]

well the one i built is working great and tomorrow i will be building another one my koi will sure love this in the summer heat when oxygen levels get low .thank you again

[@RobsAquaponics]

sissy murphy That's great to read :) Have a great one :)

[@giantsinister]

wow, i like the device with the clear tube. Just wow....

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there.. I'm using that unit in the moving bed biofilter in the new build... Found it woks better in that application than any other venturi I've bought or made.. Would be great to get an O2 meter & do a side by side test on some water to see which is best.. Cheers & have a great weekend, Rob.

[@Red.Hot.Chili.Beans63]

Put a mesh screen at the end of the outflow, should break up big bubbles

[@birddogone9716]

Thank you for this video and all the others. I just started building my system and watching your videos saves me a lot of mistakes. Hopefully my system will start and be better thanks to you.

[@dragonflysdiscoveries7567]

Howzeet Rob, What a great video mate, simple and very clear. And fantastic links too. Thanks for sharing mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Duncan Bell Cheers Duncan 👍

[@marksaler124]

If you dump the air en-trained stream into an inverted bucket the air would collect in the top of the bucket and be pressurized by the depth. a line to an air stone curtain bar would create the very fine bubbles you are desiring. Good luck. You may have enough volume for several air stones. The air get used twice to dissolve oxygen into the water. First as it is pushed into the Venturi by atmospheric pressure and again by the larger surface area contact in the smaller bubbles. Your going to get 8 ppm of O2 at 68 degrees F more as the temp of the water decreases. Heat increases the speed of the molecules and they break through the surface easier. That is why Pop goes flat as it gets warm. Heat drives any gas out of solution. aka the unknown chemist.

[@pinballrobbie]

But you can dissolve more air into colder water!

[@n2kois]

You Rock Rob!!! Wonderful ideas.... Thanks for sharing!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers n2kois :) Have a good one..

[@gedepandenarendra1011]

Thank's a lot, Bob... Very inspiring & practical... Greetings from Bali

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks :) Hope your build is going well. Rob.

[@murrayjefferys]

Loving you work Rob I made a failsafe on mine -Simply run a pipe over back to the tank

[@kreynolds1123]

If one does not need a 90 degree bend, then they are better off not having one, nor spending money on one when it is not needed. The venturi effect works just as well with the venturi tube vertical or horizontal. But if vertical, the air inlet should have a tube whoes opening is always above the the height of the water so that if turned off, water does not back flow.

[@deomacrazio]

Wow, i've never thought about that! it's an amazing way to provide oxygen. i'm planning to do an aquaponics system as soon as i can. i find your videos very useful. thanks a lot!

[@DonMallicoat]

The key I found to small bubbles was a 40% ish angle and then heating it and squishing it into a slit as well as adding a sponge to the intake. I had over purchased on my pump and had plenty extra so I took a T off the main outlet and diverted it back with the Venturi . I'm interested to see your next test.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers for that Don.. Might be a while before the next test but will be playing around with them when I make up the bio filter for the AP later today.. Not sure if I will do a clip on it though.. Cheers mate...

[@MyMcDizzle]

Great video. I will be adding these to my system this weekend.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope they go well for you Mad Mike... They are a real easy & cheap build.. Cheers & have a great one..

[@atrohadff]

Great video. I have been looking for an easy way to spray fertilizer in my garden. This system will definitely work to suck up the fertilizer, mix it and spray it. Thank you for sharing.

[@RobsAquaponics]

atrohad Hi there. Would love to know which one you used & how it went mate. Cheers.

[@zachd9433]

Very nice video, will add it to my collection of things going into my next build. Cheers

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it comes in handy mate.. Cheers..

[@zachd9433]

I just started my wood base for my two 50 gal tanks, painted the bottom 6 inches as lately I am getting mold on the wood from the spring thaw. Once I actually start the build I will post pics and ask questions.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Zach D No problem.. Can take a while for me to get back to folks as you've seen just to warn you ;-) Have fun with the build..

[@zachd9433]

np

[@MrAce0r]

Never knew about this, thanks I will definately try this first model you showed out ! :) Hugs from Denmark

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it works out well for you. Cheers.

[@jebradleymd]

Another idea would be adding the air intake venturi to the pump intake line, rather than its output. The bubbles would then be broken up by the pump impellers at the beginning of the system, rather than having to route flow back. Or having venturi's in both places.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not sure how that would go but worth playing around with.. Might need to alter the shape of the air intake pipe a bit from the way its set up now so it just doesn't suck too much air.. Will definitely keep it in mind when I get down to play around with it again.. Cheers Jim..

[@wilsonquindedoumet4959]

DYI Venturi it´s very good.Thanks excelent idea.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it gives you a few ideas, Cheers.. Rob..

[@wilsonquindedoumet4959]

Yes, I hope to try it in my new project as soon as blue crabs may know. Thank you very much Rob

[@uprightfossil6673]

Hi Rob. Subscribed already. That water fall into the sump tanks can be made into a super aerator by placing them into a pipe twice its size with a few slots resting on the bottom. The water pressure and splashing pushes the air down to the bottom of the tank through those slots. Peace

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have seen folks use something similar in their systems. 👍 Cheers mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Here in the subtropics we have a very mild winter with the temps only dropping below freezing for a few hours at a time on a handful of days every winter.. Our block hasn't had a frost on it in the 12 years we have been here.. I had the system running all winter & was feeding the perch most days... If we were in a cooler area down south we would probably just run trout during the cooler times.. Cheers & have a great one, Rob.

[@RetiredandLivingthedream]

Love your video's i'm starting a Hydroponic 1st then move up to your idea's keep the videos up thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you've been enjoying them mate. Cheers & have fun with the build.

[@GnnVinh]

Rob, Thanks for this video. Great insight!!!

[@uan5cesues]

Interesante video muy bien explicado, el agregar una reducción al flujo nos ahorra una bomba de aire para apoyar la oxigenación del estanque piscícola. saludos Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Eder. Did you watch using translated subtitles & if so did they work OK for you? Cheers mate & have a great one.

[@JmacBogan]

love the ingenuity here

[@RobsAquaponics]

CC Bear came up with a great design. Cheers 👍

[@melodylyons4956]

Hundred thumbs up Bud! Now that's what I was talking about! You got it going on. Beauty!

[@rastlach]

you could put a fly screen over the end of the outlet to further break up the air bubbles at the end. From what it looked like your first home made one was the best one that I'll be using. Cheers

[@clydeclarke5406]

good day mate, Just watched your video, Man that is way cool, I'm going to try that this spring when I build my aquaponics system. It will save me the price (and noise) of a Air pump. Way to go, Keep up the good work. thanks Clyde in Ark. USA

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Clyde.. Hope it comes in handy & enjoy the build.. Should be out there making a new radial flow for ours :/ Have a great one, Rob..

[@JamesKing2understandinglife]

Wonderful simple Venturi! Thanks.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Works well for a DIY jobbie.. Cheers James & have a good one..

[@svetoslavivanov7905]

Liked it! Unbelievably helpful video my friend! :) You would not believe what I intend to use this system for - self service car wash, detergent dispensing system for the pressure washer :)

[@RobsAquaponics]

😃 That's great to hear Svetoslav 👍😊 Hope it works out well for you mate. Cheers. Rob

[@bigfatdrum]

An air stone on the end inside pipe will get the small bubbles you want. File it for flow, and add a dap of super glue at the top for strength. Custom make one from a larger stone to use that 1/4” i.d. tubing you have there. Those long straw like air bars will fit the line ok, but are worthless for making bubbles. Don’t bother! This straight tube method is still the best for aerating at a maximum. Big bubble surface area is touching more water than little ones, and when they surface will “boil” even more air in.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I found increasing the flow helped to get more finer bubbles with some of the units. 👍

[@hglide82]

I just discovered your channel and love your DIY videos! This one is particularly informative, going to add one to the system I'm making. Best regards!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it works well for you. 👍 Cheers & happy growing.

[@ralphwhitten6426]

Thanks to you and the video links you shared, I tried my hand at this...I used what I had on hand..didn't buy any thing extra. This is my results.. Venturi Effect for aeration of fish tank..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Looks like they're working well for you Ralph... Should keep the fish happy.. Cheers mate, Rob.

[@ralphwhitten6426]

Rob Bob Thanks brother. Your videos helped a lot!!

[@janisk3527]

would love to see more videos on the back yard pond filters ect that is what I have and need more info on how to get these set up and working thanks Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have you seen the clips on the radial flow & bio filters that I've posted Janis? They are all that I have up at the moment but will probably post on others as I start to use them.. Cheers.. Rob..

[@anthonymitchell2248]

That's brilliant Rob!

[@MultiOutdoorman]

Hi Rob. Have you tried capping the bottom of the dip tube that sits down in the tank, then either drilling tiny holes in it (or the pipe itself) to dissipate the air bubbles, or even using some kind of mesh or screen ? 'That's how solar heating air-separators work ( in reverse !) Thanks for sharing your hobby. Interesting stuff mate !

[@RobsAquaponics]

It has been suggested but I haven't tried it with mesh but did have a pipe with holes drilled in it at one point. I like to tun them at the surface now. Cheers mate.

[@trig]

Wotcha! You may have seen this during your research...but just in case you havent. Try sticking a small sliver of synthetic sponge into the air intake of the venturi. It reduces the size of the bubbles but also reduces the sucking sound of the venturi. If you make the sliver wedge shaped you can pull it in and out thus reducing the density which works like a throttle for the bubble size.Top tip is to cover the sponge filled pipe end so the sun dosent harden the sponge.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for that Michael.. I have seen people add them to the outlet but haven't played around with that yet.. Is it getting chilly over there yet ? Cheers

[@trig]

First hard frost of the year this morning. The carps water has just dropped below 10 degrees c so its time to swap their high protein feed for wheatgerm.

[@christinquinn5]

did you Like the video I Did

[@christinquinn5]

hi

[@christinquinn5]

Michael Tricker helllo

[@toddchapman3017]

Hey Rob, just emailed an order to you. I'm setting up a system i picked up second hand with a few modifications. I got 2x 500L growbeds, 2x 1000L fish/sump tank all pipework, clay balls and 3x pumps $800 for the lot. A nice upgrade from my ibc. I'm going to add in a radial flow and bio filter using your videos. Thanks so much Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice score Todd. 👍👍 Hows the build going or are you leaving it for the Christmas break? Cheers & have a top one.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Russel Workman.. The water in our system is so clear due to the Radial flow filters as well as the media beds removing the bulk of the solids.. We still get solids in the fish tank from time to time that we remove with a little push on vacuum attachment that fits onto the solids lifting outlet that works really well.. Aquaponic solids vacuum attachment for fish tank.. The solids get collected in the radial flow filter where he can be removed later.. Don't really have any collect in the sump tank at the moment.. I probably vacuum it out about once every 6-8 weeks during summer as the SLO picks up the majority.. Hope that helps some..

[@tim49013]

I love this video I have something similar that I got from the autopot festival last year but the one I have has an air filter that you can change once a year

[@peterm2154]

Great diy video, i'll try this in my pond and bio filter. Like what you do, keep it up

[@squnktalk]

Great! Thanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated.

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem.. Have a good one Ryan, Rob..

[@antonywardle]

Hi Rob. the venturi I build like your's wasn't working too well for me. I ended getting a load of water coming out of the air pipe. I suspect it has something to do with a restriction somewhere down stream of the venturi bit. I ended up just getting a 25mm pipe with a 90 degree connector, drilling a hole and putting in a small pipe and it works really well. Just like your vid at about the 4:50 mark. I noticed that if I put a hose in the end of the pipe, then water runs out of the air inlet. I guess there is a scientific reason for this. Anyway this simple one is what I'm sticking with for now. Loads of bubbles! thanks for your video.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Anthony.. Good to know you got it all sorted mate.. Am running with that style in the fish farm tanks at the moment too ;-) Cheers ..

[@arturomora9807]

Good Job Fren

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Arturo.

[@TheOldGuyPhil]

Having made several myself, it looks to me like you should put your pump on the other side of that commercial venturi. The lower pressure is created by a smaller water jet going into a larger volume pipe. That draws in the air.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi there Old Guy Phil.. The commercial venturi has markings which show what direction they should be plumbed so followed them.. Will play around with it in the coming weeks while I work on the RAS... Cheers sir.. Rob..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it gives you a few ideas & enjoy the build.. One of the best parts is planing & constructing the system I think.. Cheers, Rob..

[@AgustinEduardo1982]

very good!!!!!!! congratulations bro

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate :) Just seeded it out again but think the girls have smothered all the seeds by scratching soil all over the green shoots.. All the best, Rob..

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Excellent ideas and thank you for doing the comparisons. I am thinking about adding one to me new aquaponics setup and getting rid of the air pump, one less energy sucker.

[@RobsAquaponics]

That's why I was looking at them as well.. Make more sense to run one unit to do both jobs.. Did buy a new 4200lph air pump as a back up for the 2 systems.. Doesn't hurt to have some extra air for the warmer months here I think.. Cheers & have a great week.. Rob.

[@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. 😊

[@samuelkropp5363]

Rob, Will you take a look at my aquaponic video (36 seconds) and let me know what you think of my new system? best, Sam

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Sarah Davis.. On the final build there will be double 45° angle fittings made up like we use on the aquaponics set up :) Spent some of yesterday gluing up the 50mm/2" jobbies for the fish farm & aquaponic refit.. Cheers & have a great one Sarah..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Frankie Bishop Please don't spam my clips trying to make sales. You're not the first & won't be the last but I don't appreciate it at all. Get original, create something useful & offer it for free to help others rather than trying to sell via "click bait". From what I've been told it's not worth the money charged for it when there is so much free information available on the Internet.

[@bobbobson4607]

If it's feasible to put the venturi in line before the pump the impeller will chop the bubbles up finer and give you better dissolved oxygen. It's a technique some protein skimmers use for saltwater aquariums, but it should work here as well. The only potential problem I see is if the line between the pump and the tank is too long the bubble might merge into larger bubble before they reach the output in the tank. You would also have to keep the venturi air intake above the source water level, or it would become a fountain if the pump ever stopped.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Bob. It's not something I can do with the way my pump is set up but would like to know how you get on if you have a crack at setting yours up that way. Cheers mate.

[@chandlerdavis952]

2 suggestion for smaller bubbles do a mesh modification on your impeller.. get a very coarse scotch brite pad cut a disk off zip tie to to your impeller connect the venturi to the intake side of you pump it will mico fraction the bubbles. for noise there is a muffler to reduce the sound to almost zero i can send you a design for one.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Chad.. Haven't tried the venturi on the other side of the pump yet.. Might play around with it next time I put a system together & see how it goes.. Am playing around with a small muffler design here as we now have 4 venturis running on 2 separate systems & don't want have to bribe the neighbours with too many fish ;) Cheers mate & have a great one.. Rob.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thought about doing that in the past but decided on air stones then venturi.. I like the idea of the bubbles & flow in the base of the tank stirring the water up more with the venturi.. Have noticed that the solids don't pool in just one area now which I think is a good thing as it means the water is circulating better in there now.. Cheers Charles & glad you like the clips.. All the best, Rob.

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

Your fish look awesome. An addition 12 inches of pipe over the sump would help oxygenate. Cap the end of the pipe and drill holes every inch. Level it and your 1 stream will become 12.

[@RobsAquaponics]

All the grow beds free fall into the sump tank in the aquaponic system so I think system gets loads of dissolved O2 in the water.. Was planing on adding these venturis into the new fish farm system.. Should be out there working on it now.. Have a few more comments to respond to first though ;) Cheers & have a great one..

[@JTBear]

Excellent info there ... think I might need to play with that idea a little bit. I love the sound of the water flowing but I hate the sound of my little air compressor in the greenhouse so that might be a solution. Thanks!

[@budbert69]

Thanks Rob your videos are allways informative

[@traveller563]

Hey Rob! I came across your videos recently and have been enjoying them very much. You've done a good describing the function and construction of all the different components of an aquaponic system. I had an fairly simple idea that may help you decrease your bubble size and increase the oxygen saturation on your venturi system. If you were to add an aeration screen, like the one on a kitchen faucet, on the end of the PVC pipe, it should diffuse the the larger bubbles in the pre-oxygenated water, increasing the oxygen saturation without restricting the rate of flow much, if at all. Just a thought! Mark Stephens - Houston, Texas

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Mark & thanks mate. One concern I'd have with that is the screen may end up getting clogged with solids. Can see where it would help out in some situations where the solids were all removed. Cheers & all the best Mark.

[@videogenie1236]

For your ventura you can try many small tubes combined into a fitting to get many small bubbles

[@RobsAquaponics]

It all comes down to the hole where the air enters the water flow. I found I got smaller bubbles with higher water flow rates. Cheers.

[@BigFatTonys]

Very helpful indeed. I just remembered that years ago when installing some pvc plumbing that a work light had fallen onto a pipe, heated it up and when I grabbed the pipe, several feet away, the pipe stretched and the diameter was reduced where the shop light had heated the pipe. I of course replaced this damaged piece of pipe. This vid reminded me of that event and I'm thinking this is cheaper and perhaps better way to make a venturi. I'm on the half of the Globe with record snow and freezing temps. so I'll have to wait to try my idea. If anybody tries it before March, please let me know if it works.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one mate.. Would like to know how you or others go as well.. Cheers Tony..

[@BigFatTonys]

My idea is to pass my sump pump output pipe thru a CO2 reactor (yeast, sugar, water in a box) with a venturi installed in that portion of the pipe, thus sucking the CO2 into the water stream that is going to the tanks. Rather than waiting till Spring I may take a six pack to a friend who has a proper shop where I can heat and stretch a few pipes without risking setting fire to a house. We will drink afterwards. I'll let you know the results.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Big Fat Tony's Is this for an aquarium Tony ? Never heard of a CO2 reactor until your post so had to look it up, Thanks :) Leaving the ale until after sounds like a plan ;) Cheers mate..

[@BigFatTonys]

Yes, for an AQUARIUM. All caps because I am building the Mother of all Aquariums. I intend to use the CO2 reactor to grow out the plants then empty the box but leave the venturi to add air bubbles to the water. I see and read about many people buying CO2 tanks and regulators to grow plants in their fish tanks and they all brag about how much and often they cut back their plants. Which inspired my idea. For your operation, consider another water tank with a bank of algae scrubbers. With the sun you get, there is no need for lights, just orientate the tank perpendicular to the Sun's path. Every vid I've seen, the people claim that nitrates drop and stay low thus reducing water change requirements.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Big Fat Tony's No problem with the hight nitrates here, actually want them to help with the veggie growth.. Have heard about folks doing that to feed their tilapia though in the states..

[@WayneMeador]

Thanks for the answer Rob, I appreciate it my friend. This helps me to put together in my mind what you are working with etc... I'll say it again, great video! :-)

[@albertoperezpablos5272]

mui bueno todos sus videos de aquaponics gracias a esos videos la gente se informa como acerlos y agradecer toda sus esplicaciones lastima que son en hingles-

[@RobsAquaponics]

+Alberto perez pablos Thanks Alberto. Would like to get them translated into Spanish at some point. Have a great one. Gracias Alberto. Le gustaría conseguir que se traducen en español en algún momento. 👍😊

[@natureboy9113]

Rob, Thanks for this video. Great insight

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps.. Cheers..

[@RockCrushing777]

Good work man your system is very great.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate :) New one is coming along nicely.. Have a great one..

[@jebradleymd]

If you split your outflow so that some of it goes directly back to the pump, it will probably make your air bubbles smaller, as the pump churns them around, breaking them into even smaller bubbles.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Jim.. Think that would work well.. Our pump is a few meters away from the venturi so it would make diverting the flow a bit difficult, not impossible though.. Looking at going back to using air stones as I will be adding a bio filter & the pump we have at the moment won't be strong enough to run 2 venturis.. When the budget allows for a larger pump I will be switching back to venturis.. Cheers sir & have a great one..

[@MrChungnguyen]

it's really a big help for me....thanks a lot

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it's given you something to think about Chung.. Cheers mate & have a great one, Rob..

[@ShuhDonk]

DO is added into the water when the bubbles break the surface and cause turbulence, the bubbles in the water does not add DO, so you want as much surface action as possible. The real test is pick up a DO meter so you know for sure works the best.

[@RobsAquaponics]

scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajsr.2014.482.487 Cheers

[@DsmB2007]

Rob..Your videos have been an inspiration for me. I hope to have my own Aquaponics system in the coming year. I've got 3-4 big projects for my family compound and Aquaponics is one of them! All the best in 2014..Happy New Year..and thank you!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sounds great Daniel & hope you have fun with the build.. For me it's the best part so am looking forward to tinkering with ours soon.. Cheers & all the best to you & yours for 2014, Rob.

[@jarronhaleysorrell]

Small mesh over the outlet will turn big bubbles into small.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Works to a point but it also clogs up a bit as well. Cheers mate.