Current Culture converted to hybrid aquaponics

Johnhorror

Active Member
Hey guys/gals!

Ok so I’ve slowly transferred from soil to hydroponics, started with bubble buckets and now I’m using a 6 bucket (8gallon) current culture set up. After I set everything up (buckets, pump, chiller, and 55 galIon drum) I started wondering if I could turn this into a aquaponics setup to save on nutrients. Well through trail and error i think I have it figured out, originally I was going to use feeder fish but since I couldn’t get the temperature down in my 55 gallon drum from 84°I ordered 25 tilapia fingerlings since they can take that hot of a temperature and actually thrive at higher temperatures I thought they where a great choice. One thing that I was not thinking of was how I was going to keep the drum clean, so I called a friend that runs aquaponics and asked if a should run a filter, he asked me why I would do that if I’m using the fish for nutrition that would be defeating the purpose! So I went back to the drawing board and have finally figured it out! This is what I did:
1) put the hose from chiller into the top of drum.
2) took out original drip feed to control bucket and added a 3/4 “ feed to Accommodate the Fill from the chiller.
3) added a 1” overflow to top of drum leading to control bucket.
4) added an automatic fish feeder!

Please let me know what you guys think, attached is a sketch of what I’m talking about, sorry for the bad drawing skills! A57F3DC6-70AB-4C3D-B951-A54DCF2F4609.jpeg
 

Thegermling

Well-Known Member
Hey guys/gals!

Ok so I’ve slowly transferred from soil to hydroponics, started with bubble buckets and now I’m using a 6 bucket (8gallon) current culture set up. After I set everything up (buckets, pump, chiller, and 55 galIon drum) I started wondering if I could turn this into a aquaponics setup to save on nutrients. Well through trail and error i think I have it figured out, originally I was going to use feeder fish but since I couldn’t get the temperature down in my 55 gallon drum from 84°I ordered 25 tilapia fingerlings since they can take that hot of a temperature and actually thrive at higher temperatures I thought they where a great choice. One thing that I was not thinking of was how I was going to keep the drum clean, so I called a friend that runs aquaponics and asked if a should run a filter, he asked me why I would do that if I’m using the fish for nutrition that would be defeating the purpose! So I went back to the drawing board and have finally figured it out! This is what I did:
1) put the hose from chiller into the top of drum.
2) took out original drip feed to control bucket and added a 3/4 “ feed to Accommodate the Fill from the chiller.
3) added a 1” overflow to top of drum leading to control bucket.
4) added an automatic fish feeder!

Please let me know what you guys think, attached is a sketch of what I’m talking about, sorry for the bad drawing skills! View attachment 4176130
Ive heard of these recently. Ill keep an eye on this.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
From recent experience, those air manifolds suck. The flow was uneven and the tangle of air lines gets annoying.
I ended up doing a 1/2" main line down the sides of all my res and used 1/2" to 3/8" T to a small tube inside the box and then 3/8" to 1/4" T to supply the stone. 3/8" to 1/4" was the only ones I was able to find, would have been easier if I could have found 1/2" to 1/4" but idk if theyre a thing. Either way all my stones seem more more even with this setup.
In your setup id put the pump on the bottom and put a Y out of it and run lines up the sides. Would probably be fine with 3/8" line.

 

Johnhorror

Active Member
From recent experience, those air manifolds suck. The flow was uneven and the tangle of air lines gets annoying.
I ended up doing a 1/2" main line down the sides of all my res and used 1/2" to 3/8" T to a small tube inside the box and then 3/8" to 1/4" T to supply the stone. 3/8" to 1/4" was the only ones I was able to find, would have been easier if I could have found 1/2" to 1/4" but idk if theyre a thing. Either way all my stones seem more more even with this setup.
In your setup id put the pump on the bottom and put a Y out of it and run lines up the sides. Would probably be fine with 3/8" line.

When you put your air manifold together Did you evenly connect the hoses on the outsides of the manifold working your way in? If you use the middle ones that will create an uneven airflow. I get a pretty even flow of air in each container I have sent installed another air pump For my 55 gallon drum I just figured more air is better
 
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fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
When you put your air manifold together Did you evenly connect the hoses on the outsides of the manifold working your way in? If you use the middle ones that will create an uneven airflow. I get a pretty even flow of air in each container I have sent installed another air pump For my 55 gallon drum I just figured more air is better
I have more or less 2x the setup youve drawn minus the fish ofc lol.
I have 2 1450gph air pumps that each supply 6 boxes with 2 stones each. My first try was putting a 12 port manifold in the middle of each side and supplying the stones via a bunch of equal length air tubing. I even offset the lines so port 1 & 7 went to the same box and 2 & 8 ect. This setup was ok, but it was a mess of lines and the stones still werent bubbling even. I like it much better now and I have no air lines to trip over
 

Johnhorror

Active Member
I have more or less 2x the setup youve drawn minus the fish ofc lol.
I have 2 1450gph air pumps that each supply 6 boxes with 2 stones each. My first try was putting a 12 port manifold in the middle of each side and supplying the stones via a bunch of equal length air tubing. I even offset the lines so port 1 & 7 went to the same box and 2 & 8 ect. This setup was ok, but it was a mess of lines and the stones still werent bubbling even. I like it much better now and I have no air lines to trip over
Well I will definitely take this into consideration even if it is just for the space. Have you ever thought about adding fish like I have?
 

Major Blazer

Well-Known Member
The filter is to clarify the water and remove particulate matter and depending on filter type, help with your bacteria - you should still need a filter. I've never heard of any aquaponics not using a filter.
 

Johnhorror

Active Member
The filter is to clarify the water and remove particulate matter and depending on filter type, help with your bacteria - you should still need a filter. I've never heard of any aquaponics not using a filter.
I haven’t put a filter on the 55 gal drum yet and everything is going great, I didn’t realize I put the wrong picture up lol I will update tonight with a more recent picture... these plants are huge now and I only did veg for 2 weeks from clone!
 
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