Aquaponics update 9/5/13

Sloping the beds

I had to back track a little and put a slope on the flood trays so they would fill and drain at that right speed.  What I didn't account for was just how high the flow rate of water entering the beds was.  The water would drain at the proper rate but the flow rate across the beds was to low.

The original slope was changed from 1"of drop over the span of 36'  

to

3" of drop over 36'.

 Put in 2x4 cross braces at each pylon

 The Purple lines are level or no rise

 I used a car jack and some wood blocks to raise each section to the the desired height, then re drilled and attached the stringers

 Evicted plants, sad huckleberrys.

 Racks doing work

 A drain that allows for adjustable water height and keeps duck weed out of the sump tank

 Result of setting the timer to cycle once every 12 hrs for 30min.  I'm guessing the water inside the tube and exceeded the max temperature, the hose failed and leaked and with no water in the tube it melted in the days heat.

Chicks romping around

Duck Weed and Racks

Four pounds of duckweed and an ice pack shipped from Florida

 The racks are made from 1/2" conduit and 2x4s.

Location is key when sprouting, utilizing micro climates and placing racks on the south wall help in the winter time.

A Good Morning

 Plants on 8/28/13

 Both fans mounted

 Water cress younglings

 Basil, Tomatoes, Okra

 Chocolate mint

 The large Tomato plants are for taking cuttings

 Ground leveled

 GFCI outlets and vent actuator 

 Heater and Electrical board in progress

 Out the front door

4 lbs of salad mix 

8.3 lbs brazing mix

Pushing on Through

 Material for Sprout tray shelfs

 Air master 12" fan, 1500 cfm at 60w.  

Small and very efficient for their air delivery.

These fans use cartridge bearings vs. brass bushings and will run longer with less maintenance.

 Beginning of the electrical system.

Aquaponic Greenhouses

Out with the Old

Successful hu-manure experiment, two months worth of human shit (2 people) completely broken down in a one year static pile.  The total volume was 1 cubic yd.

In with the New