Don't forget to subscribe if you enjoyed the video, bit.ly/Subscribe2Rob & feel free to share the clip around with family & friends if you think they'll enjoy it too. 🐟 🌱🍅 Cheers all & have a top one. 😊 Rob
I'm in the middle of designing my system, and this maintenance video is invaluable because it makes me aware of some of the things I need to do, to make life easier in the future.
The cleaning/reward ratio looks quite alright to me, esp given how well the system is set up for easy maintenance! Plants and moving water is just always a lovely relaxing place to spend your time! 😀👍
Great video Rob, giving me more good ideas as always. Especially the top up water though I may just get some activated carbon from work and set up a little filter for that so I don't have to run an airstone.
Hi Rob, Do you have a clip that shows how you have setup the filter in the sump? Does the water simply enter from the top, flow through the filter pads, then exit via a hole in the bottom of the container?
This clip runs through how I've set it up Greg. th-cam.com/video/ZmKAObLp_Rw/w-d-xo.html I've found that it's no longer processing the ammonia as well as the feed levels increase so will be replacing it with a stand alone biofilter. Will post a clip on that as well once it's sorted out. Cheers mate.
Rob! I am having bad nutrients deficiencies I think all of them🥺 what are your thoughts on using 0-10-10 on water additions to keep nutrients in the system. It is Phosphoric acid and muriate of potash made from fish.
Hi PM. Need to know a bit more first before I can answer. Have you tested the water to see how your nitrates are sitting? How old is the system & how much feed are you adding in for the fish? Will get back to you when I can. Cheers.
Not really in a recirculating aquaponics system like this as the solids need to be removed. Look up iAVs which is a sand based system if you only want to do top ups. You can't grow out as many fish as this style of system but they claim you only need to do top ups. Cheers.
Hey Rob, I have a question regarding a moving be bio-filter/reactor. How do you keep the media from flowing our of the reactor into your pipes? I am currently using a 2" shower floor drain and it is constantly getting clogged up with stuff that the radial flow settler does not either catch or gets blown by. Sorry I had to ask this question since you are discussing radial flows but I just had an almost catastrophe. Mt outlet on the moving bed got clogged up and most of the media and a lot of water ended up on the ground. Nearly emptied my sump of water. So ... any help would be appreciated.
Sorry I missed this Don. I had a series of slits cut in the inlet & outlet pipes on our old Bio that prevented the media from getting sucked out. I never did a proper clip on it unfortunately. I did show my small prototype from the old OLD system if that helps any, th-cam.com/video/0E2zIGGMdKU/w-d-xo.htmlm35s Cheers, Rob
The pump is running 24/7 as I don't trust timers. I've seen them fail & folks lose their fish. 😕 I know many folks are fans of them though. Would probably pay to do a decent amount of research into the best ones to get before you settle on one. Hope that helps some. You still up for the arm wrestle? 😉😃💪
Hi Rob, It seems like since you have your supplementary bio filter immediately following the settler, when you spray the settler out the chlorine from the hose water will kill a substantial amount of the bacteria in the bio filter. They will likely recover but doing this every few days will definitely harm the population. I'd be curious to see if there is a spike in nitrite or ammonia in the hours after cleaning due to the bacteria population hit.
I'm not overly concerned as the sponge is well rung out be for being added back into the filter Jake. 👍 The majority of the bacteria also live in the 45L of bio media below the sponge so don't really come in contact with the water. Cheers.
I'm working on getting one of these set up. I'm having trouble deciding what to use for a fish tank. What do you use? What kinds of things would you suggest looking for? I was considering just doing a chop and flip with an IBC tote, but I know I'm going to want more fish than that can handle.
I use a water cistern that really isn't well designed for keeping fish but does the job. IBC based systems are affordable & are great as they can be expanded upon by adding a larger fish tank & extra grow beds. 👍 This clip might help to give you a few ideas, th-cam.com/video/0QQA5BpWKec/w-d-xo.html Cheers & have a top one.
Hey Rob, I have the same type of blue barrel that I am going to use for the top up water in my system so I have a few questions in regards to your de-chlorination tank. - Is a weeks worth of aeration with the air stone enough to dissipate the chlorine in the top up water barrel? - Do you add any chemicals to neutralize or lower the amount of chlorine in your top up water barrel? - Do you have an instrument that tests the amount of chlorine in the water before you put it into your system? Thanks for all your clips mate. Always find them very informative and inspiring 👌
Hi Gareth. I responded to this before & it disappeared so my apologies if you're seeing this twice. I mainly aerate the water to stop the mozzies from laying larvae in it but it does speed up the de chlorination process a bit. Leaving the water exposed to UV/sunlight for 24 hours is normally enough to dissipate all the chlorine. You can also use ascorbic acid to breakdown both chlorine & chloramines if your water contains them. The rate is 1000mg per 150L/40gal from what I've read. I hope that helps you out some mate. Cheers & happy growing. 🌱🌱🐟
I do get a bit but as I've oversized the pipes (50mm/2") & the pump I'm not to worried about cleaning them. I did have issues when I was running smaller 32mm/1¼" pipes on the first build so decided larger was better. Cheers.
Thanks for this! I made a radial flow filter like yours but I get a lot of floating solids. It looks and smells disgusting. I guess your bucket with the foam filters get any floating solids. Right now out of my radial flow filter it flows directly into my grow beds. Do you have 2 pumps? One going into your fish tank and another going into your growbeds?
Hi mate. does the poop float straight away or only after a while? If it floats after a while it means that the solids are starting to break down & release gas which causes them to float. It's a good idea to clean them out before they get to that stage as some of the gasses & compounds released can be toxic to the fish in high levels. 👍 I only have one pump that splits the flow between the fish tank & grow beds. 👍 This clip runs through the way the system is plumbed up if it helps any, th-cam.com/video/lVYnsnyg8gw/w-d-xo.html Cheers mate.
@@RobsAquaponics thanks for replying. I was having trouble getting my filter clean just by 'burping' it. My drain sits about an 1" from the bottom so it doesn't get it all. I think I'll have to try your process once a week.
Hi there. There's a few links in the clip for settler build or you can just use this one, th-cam.com/video/crKjqCJmIV0/w-d-xo.html & this clip explains a few design concepts that may help, th-cam.com/video/sBCC9tMsleY/w-d-xo.html Hope the build goes smoothly DC Ranch.
Hi Bob, I am some what confused, you show the water going from the fish tank into the filter then in to the grow bed, I thought the idea was to separate the solids from the grow bed before they get to the fish tank, please explain.
Hi Noel. The water travels through the solids settler then out the other side into the small makeshift bio filter in the sump tank. From there the pump picks up the water, splits the flow sending some out to the beds & the majority to the fish tank. 👍 I did mention the beds but only in as much as what I have to do with the standpipes in the siphons when it comes to cleaning the filter. Hope that helps some mate.
The top up water comes from the city water supply. 👍I have it sitting in the drum with the air to stop mosquitoes breeding in there & to also help dissipate any chlorine that may be present. Is that the information you were chasing Shams?
He Rob bob I understand the aquaponics supplies Nitrates and may be some phosphates (?) But for plant growth don't you need N , P and K ? phosphates and potassium ? How do the plants get them? .. I wonder if this is why the lettuces grow very well but not so much fruiting plants ?
That's about right mate.👍 I does help to add some extra K in if you're growing a few fruiting plants. I haven't heard of any folks having phosphate issues but there's not much potassium left after the fish assimilate what they need from the food. Many folks will be adding some K in as either a buffer to help the pH (potassium bicarbonate or hydroxides). You can also get some seaweed supplements that are also high in potassium. The one I use is 16% from memory. Hope that helps some .
It depends on how many fish you have & the size of the filter. For my system it's a weekly job at the moment & I suspect I may need to do it every 5 days once the level of feed increases as the fish mature. Is worth the work for home grown fish I think.
@@RobsAquaponics . Good to know and thanks for the reply. I am currently trying to envisage the commitment and practicality of a home aquaponics systems will require - as in, can I go on a two holiday etc. Although I do plan to eat the fish, I would feel guilty leaving them to suffocate or to live in a stressful or filthy environment.
@@8lueBlue Most species can go a while without feed as well so holidays are possible. I would definitely recommend at least a backup air system in case of power failure while you're away. 👍
Hi Rob, I came across two other designs of pond filters I thought you and your followers may be interested in viewing. The first one is not in English other than the odd word inserted here and there, but he gives a clear idea what he is doing as you watch. The other is straight forward. th-cam.com/video/OCIiSPg60cQ/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/N9zVLh2dGt0/w-d-xo.html I like the idea of the uppermost one using a meshed basket to separate the filtration media. But then for the drain pipe I'd use your design as it would suck all the muck from off the base.
Thanks Charles. Have seen variations of both over the years & they look to work well. 👍 The main issue I have is with the ease of cleaning such filters. In aquaponics systems, we generally stock more fish than the pond folks which means more feed & then solids that need to be dealt with. Those scrubbers can be a pain to clean & rock is also not the easiest to get muck out of. Cheers mate & have a top one.
Mr Rob, just wanted to ask if you have heard about this - I've heard this myth that some fish (tilapia especially) grow bigger and faster in a body of water where they have a greater depth to swim in that width... you recon this is horse manure or a potentially valid claim?
I have heard folks say similar but I'm not sure there's much truth to it. Some carp will release compounds that limits size of other fish in small water bodies but haven't seen anyone post a paper on the same thing happening with tilapia.
If only we could rig that to filter the air, the holiday fireworks have put the air quality to "Hazardous" in a lot of the cities according to the world air quality map.
It's dissipated by the next day in most areas, and the storms headed this way should take care of the rest. Even up here we were getting the sahara cloud. At least we have another map to follow along with the drought monitor and the satellite weather, makes gardening feel a little more like science~
Don't forget to subscribe if you enjoyed the video,
bit.ly/Subscribe2Rob
& feel free to share the clip around with family & friends if you think they'll enjoy it too. 🐟 🌱🍅
Cheers all & have a top one. 😊
Rob
Hey, I want to know if any nutrition supplementation is needed in a aquaponic system.
Such as fe, mg, ca
@@gustavobueno9022 Will be posting a clip on that soon mate. 👍
Cheers Gustavo.
I'm in the middle of designing my system, and this maintenance video is invaluable because it makes me aware of some of the things I need to do, to make life easier in the future.
Glad I could help out ZP.
Cheers mate.
Nice work as always Rob!
Cheers Cameron. 👍👍
The cleaning/reward ratio looks quite alright to me, esp given how well the system is set up for easy maintenance! Plants and moving water is just always a lovely relaxing place to spend your time! 😀👍
Totally agree Sumpop. I spend the last hour of daylight downstairs most days just listening to the water.
Cheers mate & all the best.
Hi Rob.. Very useful and Informative
Hope it gave you a few useful ideas Rajan. 👍
wonderful and easily explained as always
Cheers Gafrers.
Have a top one. 👍
Great video Rob, giving me more good ideas as always. Especially the top up water though I may just get some activated carbon from work and set up a little filter for that so I don't have to run an airstone.
Would like to know how that works out for you Jay.
Cheers.
Hi Rob,
Do you have a clip that shows how you have setup the filter in the sump? Does the water simply enter from the top, flow through the filter pads, then exit via a hole in the bottom of the container?
This clip runs through how I've set it up Greg.
th-cam.com/video/ZmKAObLp_Rw/w-d-xo.html
I've found that it's no longer processing the ammonia as well as the feed levels increase so will be replacing it with a stand alone biofilter. Will post a clip on that as well once it's sorted out.
Cheers mate.
Rob! I am having bad nutrients deficiencies I think all of them🥺 what are your thoughts on using 0-10-10 on water additions to keep nutrients in the system. It is Phosphoric acid and muriate of potash made from fish.
Hi PM. Need to know a bit more first before I can answer. Have you tested the water to see how your nitrates are sitting?
How old is the system & how much feed are you adding in for the fish?
Will get back to you when I can.
Cheers.
Maybe I missed a video, but is there a way to completely eliminate water changes and only top off the system?
Not really in a recirculating aquaponics system like this as the solids need to be removed.
Look up iAVs which is a sand based system if you only want to do top ups. You can't grow out as many fish as this style of system but they claim you only need to do top ups.
Cheers.
Great video thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Hey Rob, I have a question regarding a moving be bio-filter/reactor. How do you keep the media from flowing our of the reactor into your pipes? I am currently using a 2" shower floor drain and it is constantly getting clogged up with stuff that the radial flow settler does not either catch or gets blown by. Sorry I had to ask this question since you are discussing radial flows but I just had an almost catastrophe. Mt outlet on the moving bed got clogged up and most of the media and a lot of water ended up on the ground. Nearly emptied my sump of water. So ... any help would be appreciated.
Sorry I missed this Don.
I had a series of slits cut in the inlet & outlet pipes on our old Bio that prevented the media from getting sucked out.
I never did a proper clip on it unfortunately.
I did show my small prototype from the old OLD system if that helps any,
th-cam.com/video/0E2zIGGMdKU/w-d-xo.htmlm35s
Cheers,
Rob
Hello Rob Bob, thank you for sharing your amazing work again. Do you run the pumps of your current system with a timer?
The pump is running 24/7 as I don't trust timers. I've seen them fail & folks lose their fish. 😕
I know many folks are fans of them though. Would probably pay to do a decent amount of research into the best ones to get before you settle on one.
Hope that helps some.
You still up for the arm wrestle? 😉😃💪
@@RobsAquaponics 😂 Thank you Rob, I really love to wrestling with you if I have a chance. 😁
Hi Rob,
It seems like since you have your supplementary bio filter immediately following the settler, when you spray the settler out the chlorine from the hose water will kill a substantial amount of the bacteria in the bio filter.
They will likely recover but doing this every few days will definitely harm the population.
I'd be curious to see if there is a spike in nitrite or ammonia in the hours after cleaning due to the bacteria population hit.
I'm not overly concerned as the sponge is well rung out be for being added back into the filter Jake. 👍 The majority of the bacteria also live in the 45L of bio media below the sponge so don't really come in contact with the water.
Cheers.
I'm working on getting one of these set up. I'm having trouble deciding what to use for a fish tank. What do you use? What kinds of things would you suggest looking for?
I was considering just doing a chop and flip with an IBC tote, but I know I'm going to want more fish than that can handle.
I use a water cistern that really isn't well designed for keeping fish but does the job.
IBC based systems are affordable & are great as they can be expanded upon by adding a larger fish tank & extra grow beds. 👍
This clip might help to give you a few ideas,
th-cam.com/video/0QQA5BpWKec/w-d-xo.html
Cheers & have a top one.
Nice work thank you
Hope it helped you out with a few ideas Mitchell 👍
Cheers mate.
Hey Rob,
I have the same type of blue barrel that I am going to use for the top up water in my system so I have a few questions in regards to your de-chlorination tank.
- Is a weeks worth of aeration with the air stone enough to dissipate the chlorine in the top up water barrel?
- Do you add any chemicals to neutralize or lower the amount of chlorine in your top up water barrel?
- Do you have an instrument that tests the amount of chlorine in the water before you put it into your system?
Thanks for all your clips mate. Always find them very informative and inspiring 👌
Hi Gareth. I responded to this before & it disappeared so my apologies if you're seeing this twice.
I mainly aerate the water to stop the mozzies from laying larvae in it but it does speed up the de chlorination process a bit. Leaving the water exposed to UV/sunlight for 24 hours is normally enough to dissipate all the chlorine.
You can also use ascorbic acid to breakdown both chlorine & chloramines if your water contains them. The rate is 1000mg per 150L/40gal from what I've read.
I hope that helps you out some mate.
Cheers & happy growing. 🌱🌱🐟
Rob do you have any Biofilm build up and have to plunge pipes.
I do get a bit but as I've oversized the pipes (50mm/2") & the pump I'm not to worried about cleaning them.
I did have issues when I was running smaller 32mm/1¼" pipes on the first build so decided larger was better.
Cheers.
Thanks for this! I made a radial flow filter like yours but I get a lot of floating solids. It looks and smells disgusting. I guess your bucket with the foam filters get any floating solids. Right now out of my radial flow filter it flows directly into my grow beds. Do you have 2 pumps? One going into your fish tank and another going into your growbeds?
Hi mate. does the poop float straight away or only after a while? If it floats after a while it means that the solids are starting to break down & release gas which causes them to float. It's a good idea to clean them out before they get to that stage as some of the gasses & compounds released can be toxic to the fish in high levels. 👍
I only have one pump that splits the flow between the fish tank & grow beds. 👍
This clip runs through the way the system is plumbed up if it helps any,
th-cam.com/video/lVYnsnyg8gw/w-d-xo.html
Cheers mate.
@@RobsAquaponics thanks for replying. I was having trouble getting my filter clean just by 'burping' it. My drain sits about an 1" from the bottom so it doesn't get it all. I think I'll have to try your process once a week.
Do you have a link or video of how you built this rff I want to build it exactly like that!! Thanx for the help
Hi there. There's a few links in the clip for settler build or you can just use this one,
th-cam.com/video/crKjqCJmIV0/w-d-xo.html
& this clip explains a few design concepts that may help,
th-cam.com/video/sBCC9tMsleY/w-d-xo.html
Hope the build goes smoothly DC Ranch.
I think you should try a AST beads filter
I did price one but it would have cost more than Bianca's car to get it imported into Australia. 😉😕
Hi Bob, I am some what confused, you show the water going from the fish tank into the filter then in to the grow bed, I thought the idea was to separate the solids from the grow bed before they get to the fish tank, please explain.
Hi Noel. The water travels through the solids settler then out the other side into the small makeshift bio filter in the sump tank. From there the pump picks up the water, splits the flow sending some out to the beds & the majority to the fish tank. 👍
I did mention the beds but only in as much as what I have to do with the standpipes in the siphons when it comes to cleaning the filter.
Hope that helps some mate.
So how do you, and what do you do, for the water that you are adding back to the system?
P.S. this is how I've designed my system and am currently cycling.th-cam.com/video/VBy6Gce9j-0/w-d-xo.html
The top up water comes from the city water supply. 👍I have it sitting in the drum with the air to stop mosquitoes breeding in there & to also help dissipate any chlorine that may be present.
Is that the information you were chasing Shams?
He Rob bob I understand the aquaponics supplies Nitrates and may be some phosphates (?) But for plant growth don't you need N , P and K ? phosphates and potassium ? How do the plants get them? .. I wonder if this is why the lettuces grow very well but not so much fruiting plants ?
That's about right mate.👍 I does help to add some extra K in if you're growing a few fruiting plants.
I haven't heard of any folks having phosphate issues but there's not much potassium left after the fish assimilate what they need from the food.
Many folks will be adding some K in as either a buffer to help the pH (potassium bicarbonate or hydroxides). You can also get some seaweed supplements that are also high in potassium. The one I use is 16% from memory.
Hope that helps some .
@@RobsAquaponics thanks for the clarification mate.
How do I get my cumbers to produce in my aquaponics
You may need to bump up the potassium a bit as fruiting plants require a bit extra.
Hope that helps some.
How do I do that and keep the fish alive
Good job Rob
Which part of Australia are you from
West of Brisbane in Queensland. 👍
Cheers mate.
Do you really need to do this every week?
It depends on how many fish you have & the size of the filter. For my system it's a weekly job at the moment & I suspect I may need to do it every 5 days once the level of feed increases as the fish mature.
Is worth the work for home grown fish I think.
@@RobsAquaponics . Good to know and thanks for the reply. I am currently trying to envisage the commitment and practicality of a home aquaponics systems will require - as in, can I go on a two holiday etc.
Although I do plan to eat the fish, I would feel guilty leaving them to suffocate or to live in a stressful or filthy environment.
@@8lueBlue Most species can go a while without feed as well so holidays are possible. I would definitely recommend at least a backup air system in case of power failure while you're away. 👍
Rob Bob's Aquaponics & Backyard Farm ... thank you so much
Hi Rob, I came across two other designs of pond filters I thought you and your followers may be interested in viewing. The first one is not in English other than the odd word inserted here and there, but he gives a clear idea what he is doing as you watch.
The other is straight forward.
th-cam.com/video/OCIiSPg60cQ/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/N9zVLh2dGt0/w-d-xo.html
I like the idea of the uppermost one using a meshed basket to separate the filtration media. But then for the drain pipe I'd use your design as it would suck all the muck from off the base.
Thanks Charles. Have seen variations of both over the years & they look to work well. 👍 The main issue I have is with the ease of cleaning such filters. In aquaponics systems, we generally stock more fish than the pond folks which means more feed & then solids that need to be dealt with.
Those scrubbers can be a pain to clean & rock is also not the easiest to get muck out of.
Cheers mate & have a top one.
Mr Rob, just wanted to ask if you have heard about this - I've heard this myth that some fish (tilapia especially) grow bigger and faster in a body of water where they have a greater depth to swim in that width... you recon this is horse manure or a potentially valid claim?
I have heard folks say similar but I'm not sure there's much truth to it. Some carp will release compounds that limits size of other fish in small water bodies but haven't seen anyone post a paper on the same thing happening with tilapia.
If only we could rig that to filter the air, the holiday fireworks have put the air quality to "Hazardous" in a lot of the cities according to the world air quality map.
That's a shame to hear that. We don't get many displays here now as the public aren't allowed to buy them anymore in most Aussie states./
It's dissipated by the next day in most areas, and the storms headed this way should take care of the rest. Even up here we were getting the sahara cloud. At least we have another map to follow along with the drought monitor and the satellite weather, makes gardening feel a little more like science~
Like
👍
Cheers.
You're becoming weak. You can turn the valve with your left hand anymore. :D haha.
Really. 🤔
Want an arm wrestle? 🤣