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As we’re getting close to having all the parts of our system in place I thought it’d be fun to have a look back at how our plans have turned into reality. It’s quite an interesting story in images:
We started off with the first plans for our large Aquaponics system
These went through lots of refinements to maximize the use of space and got to the current “final design” for our Aquaponic system
Then we got into the Eco-House and could finally start measuring up for the polytunnel
And then after one great weekend the frame of our Aquaponic polytunnel was up:
And then, after a weekend away and a bit of dithering, the Aquaponic fish tanks and Growbeds arrived at it started to look a lot like the Large Aquaponic System Plans.
Getting pretty close now! Just got to get the stands and plumbing done!
Blimey, what a day. Been hard at it since about 8.30 this morning (OK, we knocked off at 3.30 to go to the park). And we stopped for lunch. And a few drink breaks in there too.
But all that aside, it’s been a hard day’s hot work here in sunny Sale. Luckily we roped in a friend to help, otherwise I’d still be digging holes! So here’s how the day went:
This is what we started with. 18 Packages, 200kg of flat-packed polytunnel, delivered promptly by First Tunnels.
Here’s where it’s going to go – note the 1m-diameter Pampas grass I’ve got to remove first (back -left corner)
By 10.30 the Pampas grass was out, and the posts for the polytunnel hoops were all in the right places.
By lunctime we had all-but-one of the posts buried in the ground, ready for the hoops. Look at that glorious sunny day!
By 2.40 we had all the hoops up – this was a lot easier than digging the holes for the posts!
And then, one teabreak later, at 3.30 we had the ridgepole up too.
Not bad for a first day’s effort. Would have been a nightmare on my own, but we have made good progress. If the weather hold there should be some good pics tomorrow too.
OK, there’s no going back now – we’ve ordered the polytunnel – 14′ x 28′ of growing space for the aquaponics. Now I have to get my act together and order all the other bits!
We’re getting our polytunnel through First Tunnels – they’ve been great, really helpful, a good price, and a really easy-to-use website. Plus they’re relatively local (Lancashire).
It could be here by Friday, so I’ve been busy marking out where it’s going to go – very exciting!
In case you’ve forgotten what it’s going to look like - here’s the latest design for the interior!
Our Aquaponic Polytunnel
OK, here’s the latest iteration of our Aquaponic System. I’ve managed to squeeze another two small growbeds in, and have added the pipes to help show how it works . I’ve mainly been working on the planting list to see how well it’s going to do at feeding us all, and from that I’ve realised that some seedling-prep areas will be required, you can see these lattice-style designs at the right-hand end, designed to be a great spot for sowing and storing seedling prior to planting out in the beds.
I’ve even added a small non-aquaponic bed under the south-facing row of growbeds – shown here in green. I’m going to try peanuts in there as they should like the temperature and they are just the right height to fit under the growbeds. It’ll be an interesting experiment!
Not sure whether it’s the joy of finally finding a house for us to settle in for the next decade-or-so, or whether it’s the delight at finding a garden that, due to its orientation and terracing, is perfect for a garden split between agricultural and familial duties. Or is it just that spring is in the air? a glorious spring at that!
Whatever it is, my mind is embracing the possiblities of our new situation. A situation that lends itself to a no-holds barred aquaponics system. Gone is my initial timidity. Stuff it, let’s go stright to a BIG system. One that’ll feed the family, and then some.
To maximise its potential, we’re going for a system that is referred to as CHIFT PIST (Constant Height In Fish Tank, Pump in Sump Tank) or CHOP (Constant Height – One Pump). Essentially what this means is that the fish can remain serene, and undisturbed in their tank, with a large sump tank handling all of the variation in water height as water is pumped through to the growbeds. Here’s how it works:
- The system starts with the sump and fish tank full of water, and the growbeds empty.
- A timer turns the pump on – the pump is located in or near the sump.
- The pump transfers water from the sump to the fishtank.
- The fishtank overflows, passing water to the growbeds by gravity.
- The growbeds fill with water, while some starts to flow slowly out of the growbeds to the sump.
- With the growbeds full, the timer stops the pump, and the fishtank stops overflowing.
- The water from the growbeds drains under gravity into the sump.
So it only needs one pump, a timer, some careful pipework and a sump large enough to handle all of the water from the growbeds.
Following my last post on Greenhouses and Polytunnels we’re going for a HUGE polytunnel. Would love a greenhouse, but for the size that we’re after it’s not in our budget. Here’s our proposed system:
Large Polytunnel Aquaponic System
It’s a bit of a monster! Here are the details:
- The fish tank (rear right) is 6′x4′ and 4′ deep – 2700 litres
- There are three rows of growbeds : Ten that are 4′x2′x12″, and three that are 7′x4′x18″ (although these will only be filled to a depth of 12″).
- Total growbed volume – 4300 litres.
- Growbed:Fishtank ratio is 1.5:1
- The sump is made up of three interlinked tanks,7′x4′x18″.
- Total sump volume is 3050 litres.
- Sump:Growbed ratio is 0.7:1
So those are the tech specs, what does it mean for food? This system should provide more than enough fish and non-root veges for a family of four – that’s my estimate, based on other systems I’ve seen. That’s our target – at least from year 2!
Aquaponics is the combination of Aquaculture (keeping fish in tanks) and Hydroponics (growing plants without soil). It aims to solve the problems of both of these methods, delivering a system requiring very little water or added fertilisers.
A working aquaponics system needs three things: fish, plants, and beneficial bacteria. Working together, in balance, these power a successful aquaponic system. In a typical setup, ammonia-rich water from the fish tank passes into gravel growbeds colonised by the bacteria; the bacteria convert the ammonia first to nitrites and then to nitrates, which are then the perfect fertiliser for plants to grow in the growbeds; the cleaned water then returns to happy fish in the fish tank.
Why bother? There are lots of reasons:
- Plants in an established aquaponics system tend to grow up to 3 times faster than in a traditional garden.
- Very little ongoing water is required – great in a drought.
- The plants require no extra fertilisers.
- You get delicious fish to accompany your fresh garden vegetables!
- You can have an aquaponics system in your own back garden.
In a world where our food is becoming increasingly expensive, and with the effects of Peak Oil due to make food availability even more critical, an Aquaponic system in your back garden could make a real difference to your diet and expenses!
