Murray's iAV Sand Aquaponics System

Murray Hallam gives you a tour of his experimental iAV Sand Aquaponics system and a break down how well it's running.

[@rjwandtmblietze2470]

Good job Murray, look forward to seeing ya results, well done

[@MurrayPonics]

Thanks. It is all good.

[@AubreyZhang]

Just learned about iAV system or Sandponics - now I see the difference between iAVS and the flood and drain puffed stone Aquaponics.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

We've been enjoying watching your videos :)

[@foodpimpz9086]

Good stuff Murray, thank you.

[@aquavega.aquaponics]

You are doing amazing job and study !

[@MurrayPonics]

Thanks Aqua Vega.

[@sarcasmo57]

Neat. I want to use sand too.

[@rodneyjack3309]

Thanks for the vid. Love your work!

[@MurrayPonics]

You are welcome Rodney.

[@aquavega.aquaponics]

Thank you very much !!! Very interesting !

[@MurrayPonics]

I am having loads of fun with this. It's all good

[@cherrytreepermaculture756]

Murray thank you for the video! The iAVS looks like An interesting system to try. Do you mind posting the name of the medicinal crop you were trying?

[@adilqamar1510]

Always good

[@MurrayPonics]

Thanks Adil.

[@echandler673]

Very interesting overall. Since you grew Broccoli in the sand bed, would Kale also work? Would Kale work in general in the raft bed or possibly in a vertical aquaponics system?

[@pennyrichards8019]

Its been 3 years so whats the verdict?

[@AdamTait-hy2qh]

Almost an 'evolution' of aquaponics systems, if you like....

[@MurrayPonics]

Yes, it is looking good so far.

[@AdamTait-hy2qh]

@@MurrayPonics Yeah evolution is fascinating

[@MurrayPonics]

@@AdamTait-hy2qh The system methodology is fascinating that is for sure.

[@vicoltitus9753]

In the DVD movies we bought from you, it is recommended to use only 3/4 inch gravel because anything else smaller, especially the sand, will become clogged and anaerobic. Thus, the roots will rot and the water will be infested with nitrites. Now I see that you present beds of culture with sand ... I do not understand ... Please explain. How to prevent clogging with fish misery ???? Is the water filtered before entering the culture bed?

[@rjwandtmblietze2470]

Looks like where going to have to watch this space I think it’s an exciting addition

[@MurrayPonics]

@@rjwandtmblietze2470 Yes, lots more to come.

[@vicoltitus9753]

Now I understand perfectly how the IVAS system works. The full explanation here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoGlqoGIo8umhMk

[@MrWackozacko]

What was the answer? My understanding is that the water is off for 90 mins on for 30, so the sand gets a full 90 mins of oxygen to break down waste. ie self cleaning.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

That is correct, the aim is to balance the amount of plants to match the feed input @@MrWackozacko

[@supplies4reptiles228]

what do you do with all the stinking sand when replacing it? surly it traps lot of waste and builds up in the sand, and the anaerobic areas in the sand

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

The organic matter usually is restricted to the top 2cm. After a few years the sand develops into a sandy loam. Lots of people have used it in the same system for many years without having to clean it. If it ever did need cleaning you can close the drain outlet and flood it with water. There is no anerobic areas as proper particle sizes and percolation tests must be conducted to ensure adequate drainage. All of this is substantially different from what happens to clay when dirty and clogged up.

[@CitTV-kx4xj]

Seems to me to be a mix of aquponics and wicking beds; I'm guessing there's a bottom layer of agregate and a top layer of "sand" for better "wicking" of the nutrients to the plants! Is this system a constant flood or flood and drain?

[@MurrayPonics]

It is flooded for a few minutes then allowed to drain for a few hours.

[@philrohlf4029]

Hi Murray. Ever thought about ripping some pvc pipes and covering the water between the rows to inhibit the algae growth?

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

The algae is an essential part which leads to the development of a bio-film for breaking down the nutrients. The algae would most likely contain a lot of CAOB. When the plants grow enough to block the sunlight the algae will die off anyway. The rows are called furrows and they are essential to ensuring an even supply of nutrients across the growing bed.

[@MrEndzo]

The algae act as a nutrient battery.

[@DanielMatulich]

Looks good Murray. Will this course module be added for alumni as well, or just new members?

[@MurrayPonics]

We will share it around for the students but it will be four or five months before we do a full report on what has happened and what best practice should be.

[@waledbino123]

Murray do you add any thing to water like iron.if not do you think there is heavy metal in silca sand that helps to grow plants

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

The rhizosphere and the microbiology in the furrows are what makes most nutrients available.

[@toddanderson7484]

Do you have any recommendations on papers or other hobbyists doing iAVS? I am very interested in setting up this sort of system.

[@camel0147]

Check iAVS group on fb

[@HailOdin-cz1qf]

what about growing weed. can someone grow weed from sandponics and how much sand would you use. would u also need to use soil in addition to sand

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

Yes, I know of people in Canada who seem to do extremely well. The sand should be about 40cm deep. There is no addition to the sand needed as the nutrients are supplied by the fish waste and uneaten food - a properly formulated fish food will have enough nutrients.

[@toma4352]

What type of sand do you use or recommend Murray?

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

coarse sand - quartz silica with less than 1% silt and no clay. Particle size between .3 and 1.2mm.

[@deepinthemangroves208]

Isn't IAVS different from sandponics ?

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

It's the same, they can't call it Sandponics in America because it is trademarked by a Japanese corporation for a different type of system.

[@deepinthemangroves208]

​@Australian Hip Hop Directory pretty sure a sandponic system isn't the same as IAVS . Sandponic systems don't work the same way as IAVS do .

[@rjaquaponics9266]

I would like to offer my opinion. I believe the sand media can work providing the water is completely drained out of each sand bed upon every cycle. Most media beds hold an inch or so of water after emptying. In a sand bed, these areas would become anaerobic which would mess with the pH. Plants have both aerobic and anaerobic roots and whether or not sand would allow enough oxygen for the aerobic roots to setup remains to be seen. I'm all up for experimentation for that is the beauty of Aquaponics! Good Luck with the trials! Happy New Year!

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

The grow bed will be on a slight angle, the drainage outlet sits flush with the bottom so there is no water left. The pore space between the sand particles constitutes about 20% of the bed, and they will be oxygenated via atmospheric exchange - this is also provides fuel for the microbiology.

[@MrEndzo]

This is a much simpler system with a lot less moving parts.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

and much lower energy usage

[@ibraissa283]

Sehr gut Ich bedanke mich für bessere Idee

[@ainidjabir3712]

Please if you can do the translation in French or Arabic

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHitqnVpgKaonKs

[@samali1824]

I have the same comment. For this to work, there must be a backwash system that flush the sand periodically to prevent the sand from bing clogged.

[@MurrayPonics]

No, no backwash. The cleaning method is simple and we will film that when the time comes.