Converted Hydro system to Aquaponics in Queensland

[murray]

The project is the conversion of an existing hydro system to an AP system. Some of the NFT channel had been removed and is being replaced with DWC floating raft troughs.
In the fish tank shed we have installed, fish tanks, swirl filter, solids and nitrification filter. There is a sludge collection system and two air systems, one for the fish shed and one for the greenhouse
Greenhouse 30 M x 12M (110' x 38')
The site has fall from one end to the other of 1500mm (5') and one side to the other of 450mm. (1' 6") The fish tank shed is located 20 M (65') from the greenhouse.
The Fish Tank shed is at the top end of the greenhouse but is around 750mm (2' 6") lower than the highest part of the greenhouse. The design challenge is to run the whole AP project on one pump dealing with the fall and distances. There is actually two identical pumps, but one is on standby.
The client has started re commissioning some of the NFT channel and the floating raft troughs are growing lettuce.


(can't load some photos as the upload system does not allow photos from my computer, only photos from web site)

[nwestwood]

Picture upload has been problematic. I'm probably missing a setting somewhere. I'll look. Hhmmm, it worked for me, but I'm an admin. I clicked on the picture Icon and selected the "From Computer" tab and select files.

[mpmace]

How effective is it to keep the fish in a separate buidling? If it works well, I could raise fish and chickens in the same building and save space in my (future) greenhouse.

[murray]

In theory it is possible to have your fish tanks remotely located. It is limited only by the ability to efficiently pump the water to the grow beds and back again.
This is often the case in small farm systems where a farm, come fish tank shed is located beside the greenhouses, so the water is pumped only a few yards to the greenhouse.
In a domestic system the same method can apply.