Radial Flow Settler for Aquaponics Systems | How RFS work - How to Size Your RFS

[@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. 🐟 🍓 🌱

[@charlespeagler8010]

as to your flat bottom barrel, try this, using a barrel that is shot in the side for practice, set the flat on some blocks about 3 ft high, place a 5 gal bucket of sand in the barrel, then from the underside, use a heat gun or some other heat source to make the plastic pliable, the weighted bucket will apply an even pressure and should help the bottom to sag forming a more conical bottom.

[@bradmetcalf5333]

Anyone else (us yanks) started using the noun "jobby" to describe things after watching this guy, My new favorite word lol

[@RobsAquaponics]

🤣 In some places in the UK, Scotland in particular, it also means 💩. Just thought I should let you know. 😉 Cheers Brad & have a top one mate.

[@richardjoselin18]

I'm a beginner in this Aquaponics here in Thailand. I've viewed dozens of KZbin video's trying to get a grasp of how to do things correctly. Many video's have been okay, however your channel and information you provide is excellent and really appreciated, thank you.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad the videos have helped some Richard. 👍 All the best with the build mate.

[@AaronALAI]

I'm learning about this subject, thank you for sharing your knowledge. These containers seem analogous to a capacitor in a circuit, if you put them in parallel it may be a cost-effective way to cycle out more solids with several smaller containers instead of a large one.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Adding another would definitely help to lengthen the retention time & collect more solids. Cheers Aaron & have a top one mate.

[@twafoster]

Great job, well directed, acted and produced film. And as always the info was thorough and super useful by yours truly. Glad to see the system is doing well and humming along.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks mate & glad you enjoyed it. Cheers & all the best twafoster. 👍

[@J.Smith-rc6wh]

great article in the links below, thank you, by the way to make a conical bottom on a blue bin like that, try using any round weight, with a few bricks on it, in center of bin , with bin off the ground and only supported at edges, then simply heat using a heat gun (in an area with plenty of ventilation) soften it up and it slowly stretches out, do not do it too much or the base will get too thin , heat evenly and take your time is the key here, few goes and you get it pretty good each time, will not be a $500 tank but enough to get solids to settle closer to outflow to have most sucked up each time

[@RobsAquaponics]

Have sen folks dish out the base In the smaller drums but never thought about having a crack at a larger 55gal jobbie. Have you got one set up on your system Jennifer? Cheers.

[@AdamTait-hy2qh]

Great video again, Rob. It is just great to see The Robs networking ;)

[@RobsAquaponics]

I was very grateful he agreed to share some footage Eco Geek. 👍 Rob is one top bloke & folks could learn a few things from sussing out his work I think. Cheers mate & have a top one.

[@AdamTait-hy2qh]

@@RobsAquaponics Yep he is another one who knows a thing or two.

[@周宏宏-j7e]

Rob's video has always been practical and useful. Thanks a lot Rob!

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem mate. 😁👍 Happy growing.

[@identifyingautonomously3782]

Thanks Rob for all your information I live in Mackay and wanted to visit you sometime.

[@sumpop420]

Can it possibly be?! The fabled radial flow settler video so long promised! Awesome as always buddy 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

🤣 Feel free to come & answer some emails & I'll get then next one out even sooner mate. 😉😁 Cheers Sumpop & have a top one mate. 👍

[@sumpop420]

@@RobsAquaponics Ah man if there wasnt 4300 miles between Oxford and N.Ipswich I'd be there! Sadly, as much as I like you Rob, I love my garden here more - esp with all the you inspired improvements I have made 😀👍

[@kraptastic333]

it looks like a baffle/ weir like you see in a passive septic system, but then i see an additional weir can be added for increased efficiency. thank you for explaining. your animations are succinct for my learning style. "now back to the fish muck"

[@sunnygulati01]

I just love the way you prepare and present your videos, Bob. Each one is a gem !!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Sunny. I hope they've given you some useful ideas. 👍 Cheers & all the best.

[@michaelcurtis640]

What a awesome build! Love your videos! I'll have to upload my build based off all that I've learned from you! I still have a lot to build but I wanna say thank you for all your knowledge! Your rock rob!! Happy gardening from New Mexico!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad the clips have helped you out with a few ideas Michael. 👍👍 Cheers mate & all the best.

[@PauloRoberto-dp9ug]

Hi Bob, I'm Roberto from Brazil and I 've planing to create fish as well. Thanks very much for your program. It's will help so much. God bless you. Bye.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks Paulo. I hope your build goes smoothly mate. 😁👍

[@michaelsilberstein]

Love you Rob

[@arbinledesma3042]

Wonderful very informative

[@paulcapon1139]

Great Channel Rob ! Thanks so much for all the detailed info on different systems. Very easy to follow and is inspiring to say the least.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Am glad you've found it helpful Paul. Cheers mate & happy growing.

[@basiedp]

Hi Rob, with my fish pond i used to put cone at bottom of drum with circular pipe laying at edges connected to outlet valve. It created sucking at outer were waste collected. Basie

[@RobsAquaponics]

I have a similar arrangement in my parents system if I understand what you saying. 👍 Cheers & have a top one Basie.

[@paulhorn6233]

Thanks Rob, great video, always so helpfull! a suggestion for the outlet of the pipe that comes close to a professional RadialFlowSettler: you could cut the slit on the outlet pipes, which you make double (in a fork shape), zig zag instead of one elongated slit on each side. water is wetting. when water runs over a horizontal barrier, it usually creates a wider jet of water in the middle, rather than a flat jet of water that spreads across the entire width of the barrier. I would therefore zigzag the slit so that the overflowing water splits into many small jets of water. That might slow down the water flow a bit more.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks for that Paul. I have contemplated that but never got around to installing the extra pipes. It was putting too much weight on the drain pipe leaving the filter. Might have another crack at it though as the exit drain arrangement has changed now the biofilter has been installed. Cheers.

[@giobelkoicentercom]

thanks for another informative video Rob

[@RobsAquaponics]

👍 No problem. Cheers mate.

[@manfredziegerer8932]

Thanks YOU You the Master and Ingenieurs of Aquaponics Thanks Thanks Manfred

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not sure about the master but like to help if I can. 👍 Cheers Manfred.

[@manfredziegerer8932]

Hi Rob I learned it from watching you You the best God Pleasing you and your Family and Friends

[@MrLeebooher]

Dude you've got more views than CNN ! 👍 LOVE YA BROTHER ! 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

🤣 Cheers FLM.

[@danielpatterson4335]

I have a silly question, but how does the water flow from the fish tank to the radial flow settler? I don't see a pump or anything and it doesn't seem like gravity could go from the bottom of the fish tank up and then again from the middle of the radial flow filter to the top. Thank you for all your cool videos!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Lemon Song. The water coming into the fish tank causes water & solids at the base of the tank up the Solids Lifting Outlet (SLO) pipe & out the side wall of the tank. 👍 This link will take you straight to a section in another video that will give you a visual explanation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoK0cmh4pbx-m8U Hope that helps some.

[@november9err]

... thanxz heaps for the lesson in retention time

[@RobsAquaponics]

No problem mate. 👍 have a top one.

[@gavincox8018]

Hi Rob, if your still look for bracing ideas, you could run the two lengths of pipe through the back of the tank with the same seals you use elsewhere and then cap it.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers Gavin. 👍

[@acuaponiahome]

Excelente explicación, me ha gustado su sistema, por ahora tengo mi propio sistema pequeño, espero tener muy pronto uno más grande Saludos desde CDMX

[@RobsAquaponics]

¿Qué pescado estás usando?🐟🐟 Salud (Google Trans)

[@acuaponiahome]

@@RobsAquaponics Hola que alegría ver qué se toma el tiempo de leer y contestar, actualmente uso cíclidos africanos (aulonacaras y mbunas), es un sistema pequeño de 250lt aprox 70 galones, pero está dando resultado Saludos

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@acuaponiahome Enquanto estiver cultivando seus vegetais e os peixes são saudáveis. Saludos 👍😁

[@dancrawford2690]

Just fond your channel, got to say its awesome, got some really interesting stuff going on

[@RobsAquaponics]

Welcome aboard & thanks Dan.👍 Cheers & happy growing.

[@GreenFishAcuaponia]

Thanks for share the links! It's a great information

[@RobsAquaponics]

My pleasure & have a top one. 👍

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

Enjoyed the video trying to learn how to do aquaponics. Way before I start actually doing it 😂 very interested in doing it though. Thanks for information about it. I'll keep on watching. Have a great day

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope the clips continue to give you some useful ideas OWG. 👍 Cheers.

[@SorensenBjerring]

A real gentleman.... Just saying!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers mate. 👍

[@nerd4rocks]

Maybe you can cut a piece of plastic to fit in like a cone at the bottom of the tank. With the discharge Port the middle of the bottom of the cone. If you want 45° sides, then multiply the radius of your tank by 1.414 . cut a circle of flexible plastic with Vishnu radius, then cut a pie slice out of it and a small circle in the middle where your outflow will fit. Then you can notch the edges where the pie slice came out and the outflow pipe goes through. If you want it to clean automatically, then put the pump on a timer and make a loop to above the height of the radial flow filter and install an air gap. This way the pump does not have to seal and you can put it on one of those timers that you plug into the well. Yes they had a bit of complexity, but you wouldn't have to manually flush your filter and your water quality would be more consistent. Keep up the good work Rob Bob. I truly value people like you who share their skills and try to encourage others to be involved in worthwhile hobbies

[@RobsAquaponics]

I like the idea of having the pump on a timer Glen.👍👍 Have seen folks add a cone into the base of their 55gal drums & they do work. Would have a propper crack if I had a plastic welder. Many will also pack the internal walls of the filter with cement to form a cone then seal it with a food-safe sealant. They can then plumb the outlet into the centre of the flat base of the drum which makes life easier. I'm fairly happy with the set up as it stands but would like to get propper cone base tanks for the settler & bio in the next large system we'll be setting up here. Cheers mate & have a top one.

[@lincolnwhyte3813]

Hey Rob it is possible to have the cone inside the settler too you may loose a little volume inside but it is possible to have 4 smaller pieces of plastic that would be angled in a fashion that will force the solids to congregate at a single point..

[@RobsAquaponics]

There's no reason you can't Lincoln. Have seen many settlers with cone bases. Only reason I use the flat based drums is due to price & that the drain system I sues cleans them out just as well. Cheers.

[@indica_dogo868]

Great video, as always Rob! Have you thought about putting in a bio filter after your RFS? I use a 200l RFS into a 200l bio filter before going into my media bed

[@RobsAquaponics]

There is one of sorts in the sump that's filled with shade cloth but nothing like the old setup I had. I'm going to remove it though & turn it into a static pack trickle bio/solids filter though as the shade cloth is a real pain in the rear to clean. Cheers Indica Dogo & have a top one.

[@Javinkay]

Great video appreciate you sharing

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hope it helps some Javinkay. Cheers & have a top one.

[@Javinkay]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm I got a ibc fish tank and fish for my upcoming build

[@bulldaagg]

Have you looked into using a Ram Pump to circulate the water ?

[@RobsAquaponics]

It wouldn't create enough flow for the amount of water exchange I like in my fish tank. Land to House has a great explanation if it helps any. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imPMlaKkrppra6M Hope that helps.

[@jonathanchew5455]

Thanks for this really helpful video!!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful Jonathan. Cheers mate. 👍

[@nickfromm9492]

This is what ive been looking for thank you

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad you found it helpful Nick. Cheers.

[@chanpengchen]

It's useful..... Thanks

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help in some way. Cheers & happy growing.

[@chanpengchen]

@@RobsAquaponics thanks Bob

[@Coolclimatetropicalfruits]

Always love your work mate 🍺

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thank you & back at you. 🍻🍻

[@kjc6398]

Rob, instead of one large drum for the solid filter, would it be possible to chain several radio flow systems consecutively with the cheaper buckets 200 L buckets? That way you increase the overall retention time while keeping costs down? Of course this would still require more space though.

[@dpowell7299]

K JC my thought too but parallel to slow the water even more.

[@MichelVaillancourt]

That's essentially what I'm doing. I've got 2 x 200L tanks in series; effectively that gives me about a 10 min time for water to move from the fish tank before it hits my MBBR. You'll notice a significant difference in the deposition load between the two tanks. About 7/10 of the material is in the first tank, and the remainder is in the second tank. I've got a set of filter brushes in the second tank for mechanical filtration of the micro-fines before they get into the MBBR.

[@christopherstaples6758]

will have to be in parallel not in series or you could use another IBC

[@RobsAquaponics]

I think it would be better to run them in parallel than series K JC. That way you're dropping the flow rate into both settlers which would be doubling your retention time.👍 Cheers.

[@selfbuilfab]

Brother I cannot thank you for all that you do to guide us! You’re a wonderful human! Could you give me any pointers on a system where a fish tank (100 gallon) would be located in my home but the rest of my system about 40 feet away? Thanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi SelfBuilt & sorry for taking a while to get back to you. Sounds like you would need some decent plumbing underground to achieve this. if the grow beds were out in the yard. Would work better if the beds were located next to the house so you could run the overflow from the FT directly into the beds at level, say if the beds were along the wall of the house. Once you send pipe underground you will have solids build up in there that will need cleaning from time to time.

[@PeterJames143]

Thanks for your excellent videos. What is the problem with just depositing the fish waste directly into your grow beds? I assume they'll end up fouling your system. I am certain the plants would like the fish poop. Thanks for any answer.

[@81g53xy]

I get those 200lt drums free. Could I put 2 radial flow filters in line to achieve a greater retention time?

[@TagiukGold]

My guess is that you would see more benefit from putting the filters in parallel. Retention time is basically a measure of upwelling speed, which you want as slow as possible in order to allow the finer particles, which have lower settling velocity, time to fall out.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Splitting the flow to reduce the velocity as TG mentioned above would be the way to go I think mate. 👍 Cheers.

[@primitivoolivera8767]

me gusta su video el cual lo pondre en marcha para mi estanque de ferrocemento, le mandare un video una vez construido, muchas gracias

[@RobsAquaponics]

Me alegro de que el video te haya ayudado. Espero que tu construcción salga bien.👍 (google translate)

[@tmudd24]

every time rob says "job-e", take a drink. you wont grow any plants but you will have fun anyway.

[@NotoriousPyro]

In Scotland, Jobby means poo... I'm not sure if it means the same in Australia...

[@vk4vsp]

@@NotoriousPyro Same here, which is why I found it funny when he said it straight after showing footage of a sewer treatment plant.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I'm up for that game. 👍👍🥃

[@RobsAquaponics]

​@@NotoriousPyro 🤣 I actually got it from reading Wee Free Men by Pratchett & yes, you're spot on. 🤣🤣😁

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@vk4vsp That wasn't intended to tell you the truth Steve. 🤣😁

[@deechannels2088]

Thanks for your info, good luck..

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thank you too Muhamad. Happy growing mate.

[@TagiukGold]

I deal with settling velocity a lot with my gold mining, it's interesting seeing the same principles applied to other applications. Another filter method is called a lamella clarifier or inclined plate settler.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I've seen a some similar in design used in aquaponics systems but more the larger commercial systems 👍 Do you earn an income from mining or is it just a hobby if you done't mind me asking.

[@TagiukGold]

@@RobsAquaponics I've been a professional gold miner since 2006. I have an ownership stake in 19,000 acres of mining rights in Alaska. I am finishing a capital raise to complete the largest gold mining operation of its type in North America.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@TagiukGold Nice one mate. 👍👍 Hope you can get the funding you need mate. Not sure how you could live up there though. I'm sitting here in 3 layers at the moment as it got down to below 0°C/32°F here last night.🤣 The subtropics has made me soft I think. 😉 Cheers.

[@riograndevalleyhomestead2627]

Watching through this video I had a thought, maybe a elbow up on the drain side would increase the waste captured?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Some folks have something similar on theirs Michael. I just haven't found the need myself in these smaller systems. Thanks for jumping onboard the members page as well mate. 👍 Cheers & happy growing 🌱🐟

[@brandonterry6194]

GRATITUDE 💥🐟💥

[@STEEVE-L]

Super !!! Merci pour les vidéo ,

[@RobsAquaponics]

J'espère que cela vous donnera quelques idées utiles. Cheers Steeve. (Google translate) Hope it gives you a few useful ideas. Cheers Steeve.

[@cevolyh]

Have you considered putting sump tank underground for temperture control? This way u dont have to lift growbed up and they can stay safe and steady on the ground

[@RobsAquaponics]

Unfortunately that's a but hard in this location due to the sewer drain pipes under ground here. I did have the last sump partially buried but not too deep due to some very large tree roots from out mango tree. Definitely worth doing if you can though. I'd still keep the beds up this high though for ease of use. Would help to have some lower beds for tall growing veg like tomatoes though. Cheers Yan He. 👍

[@carlloshcosta]

Sempre acompanho seus vídeos , Taquarituba , São Paulo ,Brasil ..abraços 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Obrigado Carlos. 😁😁👍

[@neetabhaskaran6818]

Your explanations are very clear.Thanks for posting.We plan to use swirl filter in our unit. Could you share mineralization and oxygenation of fish waste? Would that make it easier on maintenence should the above step is used? Happy aquaponics

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Neeta. Will be posting a clip ion the solids mineralisation system once I have one up & running. 👍 Hope your system is running well.

[@hubertnnn]

Hey Rob, have you tried having 2 radial flow filters connected parallel to each other? This way you can double the volume and retention time and still use the cheap components.

[@hubertnnn]

Also I had another though. Do you need that much water flow through your fish tank? You mentioned many times that you need to pump the entire volume of the growbed twice an hour for the bacteria to work. But that has to go through the growbed, not through the fishtank, right? So if you have a split system you could slightly close the valve on fish tank side and reduce flow through the fish tank by half. In theory that would double the percentage of ammonia in the fishtank water but since we are removing half, it would equalize and the same amount of ammonia will escape the tank. The only question is if doubling ammonia concentration in the fishtank water wont kill the fish.

[@underdog5004]

I run 2 radial flow filters (55g drums) in parallel. Works great.

[@RobsAquaponics]

I haven't due to space issues but think it could be done mate & the decrease in flow would help to a point. 👍 I'm not sure it would really be worth it in a small system like this current one I have on the go. Cheers mate.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@underdog5004 Cheers mate. 👍👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@hubertnnn The fish tank water needs to go through the beds twice an hour as that's where the ammonia is coming from & we want it processed ASAP so as to not build up & harm the fish. 👍 Hope that helps.

[@MichaelBrown-kk6ck]

Great vid as always, I’m learning a lot. Think I’ll go with simple Dutch bucket hydroponic system this year and maybe upgrade to aquaponic system next year.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice one Michael. Cheers & have fun with the build.

[@jasonmallory4152]

Does the solids lifting outlet have to be at the waterline like you have in the video or could you have it below the waterline? I feel like you would have better flow if the pipe was underwater and your siphon prevention pipe was still out of the water

[@RobsAquaponics]

There is generally no issues with flow rate as long as you have the pipe sized correctly for the flow rate. If the outlet was lower the water would naturally drain to that level 👍

[@BelajarBarengtentangKoi]

I just shared your video to my FB group. I hope that will increase your exposure, Mate, from a different place. :D

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thank you very much mate. 😁 Hope they get the idea. Cheers & all the best.

[@savatnut192]

Thank you teacher.

[@RobsAquaponics]

You are welcome Savat. 😁👍

[@savatnut192]

@@RobsAquaponics Hello teacher, do you have chemical solution to make Nitrosominas and nitrobacter bacterias? My filter hasn't has enough bacteria .

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@savatnut192 I just supply a ammonia source then they will colonise by themselves as they are in the air & on surfaces all around us. Cheers.

[@savatnut192]

@@RobsAquaponics I use NH4Cl for running my system.

[@ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune]

Thanks for sharing. New to your channel I’m going to convert my in ground pool to this system . Watching and learning. I want to use CatFish in my pool it’s 20’x30 feet 8 feet deep. I’m in Louisiana USA

[@RobsAquaponics]

Sounds like quite a system. 👍 Just remember that you need a large enough bio filtration system to convert the ammonia that the fish produce. I've seen folks add a load of fish in pools & they end up dying as they produce far too much ammonia for a small amount of grow beds to handle. The other issue can be that adding too few fish means the ammonia is very dilute & the plants don't grow very well. Not a real issue if you're in it just for the fish. Hope that helps some mate.

[@allenmckay807]

so i'm making a 10 gallon Aquaponics system and am confused because I've never done this before and am confused on the basics and don't fully understand the steps to making a system got any advice on how to get the bacteria in the system and how big a pump ill need for the grow bed circulation if i were to put the bed over top the tank

[@RobsAquaponics]

This playlist has some clips that will help you out Allen. kzbin.info/aero/PLBcWprMIwYYj8zCdbSzPJOR3HRXpxuBwf

[@OneMansWorld]

Thanks rob gives me some ideas 💡

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad I could help mate. Still haven't set up the new garden beds so I can move the mulch from our driveway mate. 🤣 Maybe next week looking at how busy this weeks going to be. Cheers Steven & have a top one mate.

[@OneMansWorld]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm yell out if you want a bad to move it mate

[@arufuponics8415]

Great stuff as always Rob! One idea, could you not do a T-split from the SLO and into 2 X 200L settlers for a cheap 12min retention time? :) (as an alternative to a really expensive 500L version). Also love the idea of the “fork” water outtake for the settler to slow it down. Might need to play around with that idea myself :D

[@RobsAquaponics]

A few folks have suggested that & it would increase the RT dramatically.👍 Helps if you have the space to be able to set it up & would work out a lot cheaper than a larger single tank. Hope the build goes well. 👍

[@arufuponics8415]

Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm also worth keeping in mind that if your plants are already happy, maybe the double maintenance and space is not worth it, even if it is a cheap solution :)

[@aureliorib1]

Thanks a lot for this ....needed it thanks a ton

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it helped some. Cheers.

[@jc1982discovery]

Could you use a gravel cleaning type tube to suck all the crud out as well?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I have seen folks use those to clean out the base. 👍 I was using a jiggle siphon to start out with. but found using the waste valve a lot faster. Cheers & have a great one.

[@nuts4goats545]

I was looking to build a gravity fed swirl filter for a 300 gallon stock tank duck pond. I'm now thinking that one of these would be better at keeping the "solids" solid, vs emulsified at faster swirl/vortex speeds? That's the theory at least.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Would like to know how you get on if you give it a crack N4G. 👍

[@XCONTRACTDOG]

Would you slow down the water flow if you added bristles that hang into the water? An old broom head glued to the lid for example.

[@RobsAquaponics]

That would work + it would help to collect some of the fine solids as well. Might add that to the "to try" list. Thanks Hannes. 👍

[@MrAaronCard]

Rob why not pump to your radial settler and that way you can set your detention time for whatever you want and you don’t have to worry about the height of the radio flow filter?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Aaron. I prefer to keep the pump out of the fish tank & in a separate sump in my builds. Have seen systems where a pipe comes lose & all the water is pumped from the tank leaving some very dead fish. Cheers mate.

[@MrAaronCard]

@@RobsAquaponics Thanks rob for your response. I am thinking about putting a sump between the fish tank and the radial filter thus avoiding the failure mode you described. I was just curious if the radial filter becomes less efficient because all the solids are going through the pump and becoming finer? I suppose I could adjust the detention time given I would now be pumping to the radial filter... It's probably tough to measure, but your opinion is valuable. Anyway, thanks for your work. You've inspired our family to aquaponics... Greenhouse coming soon! Take care.

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@MrAaronCard Thew pump will smash the solids into finer particles so would need a longer retention time to fall out of suspension. The settler will do a better job before the sump but the fish will be safe in either position as long as the water leaves the FT via a solids lifting overflow/outlet.

Rob, place an elliptical plastic disk in the settler which will guide the gunk to the outlet tap.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Nice idea WOB. 👍 Would be a lot easier to set up than a cone base. 😉 Would still like to weld it in place so no water or muck gets under it causing issues down the line. Cheers.

[@BRINKST4R]

If you need more Retention time use a IBC as your radial flow filter...

[@RobsAquaponics]

That's helpful if you have the space. 👍 Another option is to run due drains. 😉 Cheers.

[@SCL111]

Hi. Can you tell me where to find one of those metal stands that you are using for your grow bed in this video? Thanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

This stand was custom build for the bed by the chap I bought it from SC. I'm yet to find a place that sells the troughs with a suitably high stand. Cheers.

[@cavemandoverable]

What do you think of building an aquaponics system in a closed in carport that is connected to your house

[@indica_dogo868]

I'm building an earthbag building to put my system in. I'd say go for it!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Would be a great idea as long as the plants got enough sun. 👍 Will be building a structure in the backyard for the larger system I'm looking at setting up. Cheers.

[@ancient_gamerr]

Nice haircut mate 👍

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers. All grown out now 😁

[@fragment7]

hello, i just found out your channel and its really a God send, im in the process of watching all of your videos in order to put order and have a little bit more of influence on how I would design my own system. In this video, i still don't understand the meaning of the retention time, why would one want a longer vs shorter time? thank you!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Retention time is the time the water spends in the container. The longer the water stays in their, the longer the solids have to fall out of the water column so they can be collected from the vase of the settler. Hope that helps some. 👍

[@martybeauchamp884]

Love you videos. Just bought a house with 2 acres in Canada Hoping to start setting this up for next growing season. Any tips for cold northern climates? How are the solids picked up? I didn't see a pump or anything connected to that plumbing.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Marty. Setting the fish & filters up inside (basement or warm garage) or well sealed greenhouse will help keep them warm through winter. You can then run the water outside to the hydroponic side, or do that inside as well depending on space. This video will help explain how the solids move from the fish tank to the filters, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHe3nZuXZchll6M Cheers & have fun with the build when the time comes.

[@glenschmeisser6633]

Hey. My 55 gallon drums form heavy sulfides. I have 14,000 L pools. I dont want to pull too much so i have a smaller settler. Im a shrimp farmer in the states and use biofloc from ammonia management. Love your set up. I cant make em work without sulfides. If you could address that issue id be very grateful.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi Glen. I'm sorry to say that's out of my league mate. I prefer to post on topics I have direct knowledge on through experience. Have you tried looking up a few of the university sites? I've found the The Southern Regional Aquaculture Center (SRAC) very helpful & may have some info to help you out. srac.msstate.edu/ Cheers.

[@glenschmeisser6633]

@@RobsAquaponics its all good. I figure your solids are drastically lower than mine. Btw, im a big lurker fan. Lol

[@bulldaagg]

LOVE IT

[@RobsAquaponics]

Cheers. 👍

[@mikehotel02]

Great video Rob, i like the up grade you are going to do to the discharge from the settler. I really like the way Bigalow farms did the over the top to a flat plate into the stalling chamber from the fish tank, what are your thoughts on it?Thanks again Rob. Cheers Mike.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hey Mike. I like Rob's idea & will be playing around wit that design in the future as it requires less pipe & holes that need to be drilled. 😉👍 Cheers mate & have a top one.

[@michaelrourke9830]

I am new to this and mostly helping a neighbor setup his. You mentioned the settler tank should be bigger. My question is if I'm using ibc containers can I use a second for my settler tank? Would that give me the 15 minutes needed?

[@RobsAquaponics]

You can if you have the room Michael. Might be a bit tricky trying to collect the solids from the base regularly though. Have fun with the build mate.

[@infiniLor]

Dumb question? I have watched so many of your videos (they're great! Thanks so much!) , but I can't figure out the start point - HOW are the waste solids and water being pulled up that pipe (solids lifting outlet)? 1:30

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi mate. Just wanted to let you know I answered your question in this weeks video. 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/earUeX16d9eVgrs Hope it helps some & have a top one.

[@infiniLor]

@@RobsAquaponics thanks so much, Rob!! That was a good explanation for me! (A little embarrassed about not just "getting it", lol! I was going to find and delete my question and then it features in your next video!! 😂)

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@infiniLor Don't be at all mate. Took me a while to get my head around it when I first started. 👍 I was told by a few folks that I was better off running the system with 2 pumps, one in with the fish & one in the sump. I'm glad I never listened😉👍

[@infiniLor]

@@RobsAquaponics thanks!! There certainly a lot of moving parts to these systems, but your collection of videos are incredibly helpful - really feel like I'm getting more and more of it all. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK

[@RobsAquaponics]

@@infiniLor No problem 👍

[@swaroopds]

Rob, need to know the details of the fish tank. Is there any video to prepare the fish tank?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not a clip as such but have mentioned bit & pieces in other clips. Is there something specific you are needing information on ?

[@swaroopds]

@@RobsAquaponics I have seen other videos of yours and got the idea. I am in Abu Dhabi currently (well stuck due to Covid). Basically, I am from India and city name is Mysuru. I am new to Aquaphonics. Very keen to move on to Organic agriculture. Planning to build Aquaponics in a small scale to start with and then to upgrade it to commercial. I have planned to do this setup at the terrance of my house. I will do the setup and upload the videos as soon as I reach my home town. Thanks for all the videos and it is truly helpful. Cheers Mate and have a nice day.

[@amandav5971]

Thanks for your video. If I wanted to have a longer retention time and can't find a larger tank, can I achieve the same results (increase RT) by putting 2 tanks in series?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Parallel would be better Amanda as you would be splitting the flow rate into 2, effectively halving it. That should double your overall retention time. If they were in series the water would still be flowing at the same rate but I dare say some extra would be collected in the second filter, not as much as if the filers were in parallel though. Hope that helps some.

[@Someoneelsestag]

Thanks!

[@RobsAquaponics]

No Problem Ryan. 👍

[@jamieconfait8410]

Hey Rob! love your videos they are really insightful! Wondering if it possible for you to upload a list of materials that you have used in this particular build and their individual sizes (pipes etc). i know what a pain, but would really appreciate!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Will look at adding something to the website Jamie. Shall notify folks in a clip or Facepalm once it's uploaded. Probably best to not hold your breath though as it might take a week or 2. 😕

[@jamieconfait8410]

@@RobsAquaponics awesome thanks so much for the reply Rob!

[@Cosirius]

Hey Rob thanks for a great video! In your opinion what will be the most low maintenance filter or settler for IBC tote fish tank and grow media systems?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Thanks & sorry it took a while to get back to you Cosirius. I would think that the radial flow settlers would have to be the best DIY solids solution. For a commercial unit (hobby or commercial system size) , I like the AST bead filters. astfilters.com/aquatic-systems/project/bubble-bead-filter-for-aquaponics/ They also add extra biological filtration so would be a great addition (if you have the coin) to a NFT or DWC based grow system I think. Hope that helps some.

[@ivanlim5702]

hi. just a question. can i put in fishnets or shade cloths inside the filter to further help in filtering the water going out? or is it not necessary?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I have seen folks do that & it works well. Can be a bit messy to clean & you'll probably need to dump most of the water come cleaning time. Might have a few issues if you don't clean the netting out frequently. Cheers Ivan.

[@ariffiyana2814]

Good job sir. Iam arif. I also using RAS system for my tilapia farm.

[@myfarminglife5475]

Hi Rob I'm just in the process of building a radial flow settler. I have a piece of 150mm pipe like you used, or I have z piece of 200mm pipe. Would the larger diameter pipe increase or decrease retention time. Thanks in advance.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Hi MFL. The total volume of the drum will dictate the overall retention time. 👍 I do think that the 200mm pipe would allow the water to slow down a bit more before entering into the main chamber though which could help some. Hope the build is coming along well.

[@alejandrotaudil3689]

great info!

[@RobsAquaponics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oby-1607]

I believe this on a larger scale would work for dropping out solids form a creek water source for irrigation. We have a gravity feed water system getting water from a reliable creek source but in the spring with runoff, the water gets a ton of solids in it as it comes for kilometres before we access it. Do you think this is possible?

[@RobsAquaponics]

It would depend on your flow rate I would think. For finer solids I'd be looking at 15 min + of retention time.

[@miguelfreecs9095]

Whenever you are pumping out the solids, from where you taking the make up water? Can it be taken from the taps directly?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I have the water in a storage drum to let the chlorine off gas. You can see it in one of my more recent clips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fl7Nl4qDpb-Lfqs If you have rain water tanks you can add water directly from them if you think they're not contaminated in any way. Hope that helps.

[@jeffreydheere4737]

I'm still trying to figure out how that L -shaped pipe in the fish tank picks up the solid from the bottom center of the tank that then flows to the separator. Does the water flow in to the top of the pipe and then pull water/solids up the center pipe with it?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Not quite Jeffrey. The water enters at the base & the flow is fast enough through the pipe that it picks up the light solids & takes them out to the settler.The hole in the top of the Solids lifting pipe is to prevent a siphon occurring & draining the tank. Hope that helps mate.

[@AISAsoft]

Question 2: botton drain is hard to service in case of a clog, what about using an airlift pump to remove solids that you could easily take out and clean periodically With a Martinez design airlift you could raise water several feet to add head

[@RobsAquaponics]

The solids in the system aren't large enough or tough enough to clog a 1"/25mm pipe. I have had bits of plant debris clog the intake on the sludge pump.

[@davidyovu7891]

Thanks for the vids as always, do you have a vid to explain how the poop gets in the swirl? Ta

[@RobsAquaponics]

The solids lifting outlet (SLO) in the fish tank looks after the solids removal David. 👍 This is an older clip on the SLO if that helps at all mate. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ7dmHSEiax9Zs0

[@MichaelBrown-kk6ck]

Is it possible to set up simple/reliable hydro/aqua system that will hum along without daily intervention when I take off and hit the road for a few months of vacation travel?

[@RobsAquaponics]

Quite possible but plant selection would be key. A lot of leafy greens are fast growers so may be finished before you get back. You'd also need to automate the nutrient dosing & water control as well.

[@jamessorensen7277]

Thank you

[@RobsAquaponics]

You're welcome 👍

[@johnmcginnis5201]

If you needed more settling time could one just add more 200L settling tanks? With sufficient drop have them ganged in series.

[@RobsAquaponics]

They would work better running side by side/in parallel as the flow into each would be decreased which in turn would be increasing the overall retention time. Cheers John & have a top one.

[@ramoneoliveira5851]

Sempre um ótimo conteúdo, obrigado.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Obrigado mais uma vez Ramone. 😁👍

[@joeyspijkers9867]

Hi Rob, between a radial flow settler and a canister mat filter, is there a reason to choose one over the other?

[@TheNutritionalMystic]

Can biological filtration be added directly into this system? IE. bio-beads? Or do you put a separate bio bead filter after the mechanical filtration?

[@RobsAquaponics]

I prefer to have the biofilter separate to the solids filter. Makes life a lot easier when it comes to cleaning out the solids.

[@nicolaasBezuidenhout-c3t]

hallo do you perhaps have schematic diagrams of your setup? great video

[@nicolaasBezuidenhout-c3t]

[e-mail]

[@RobsAquaponics]

I don't sorry as my build has been pieced together from second hand & recycled tanks. Are you jsut starting out?