Remember, most states offer a nice tax break for alternative energy. With some effort, and not so much capital, your entire system could be running off energy produced by sunlight, wind, & water. Three things you have plenty of, and don't have to pay any extra costs to obtain. That's a series of videos I'd love to see you guys produce. That in itself is a great marketing advantage. Not only to attract curious, and respectful customers, to buy what you grow, but also to buy solar/wind products
We're fortunate enough to live in a dry climate where it's not a problem. But, if you do live in an area where that's a problem, simply install a sump pump with a float valve in the well. Keep your inline pump up off the ground too. If it's a serious concern, you can waterproof the well (EDPM liner can be used to seal off the pump/tank pretty easily).
Thanks for answering my question. I think if you took advantage of the wind in your area, and used vertical axis wind turbines, and some inexpensive solar panels, coupled with a grid tie inverter, you could run your entire system with alternative energy. The system would pay for itself, and B.A.T. would be an ever bigger inspiration on a completely different level. Using the water in your AP system, you could even set up a water wheel, and incorporate hydro as well. Just a thought. Thanks!!
The point of placing the pump below our towers is for ease of access with having our towers at ground level. We have a depth gauge to let us know about potential leaks or other errors.
With an aquaponic system of the size you're running, would it be practical to run the pumps, etc on solar, and, or wind, as an alternative energy source?? Have you ever considered doing that?? If so, why did you chose to run off the grid instead?? Just curious. Thank you for all the very informative, and educational videos. I appreciate you taking the time to shoot them, and explain your methods. It's an inspiration to many, and a service to all who have interest in this type of science.
Vishal is correct. Instead of lining everything up and having each element below the previous one, or using two pumps, we run a single pump system which means that the water is split. This means that some dirty water is returned to the fish, but the math works out. If we split our water 50-50 and cycle the entire volume once per hour and the end of 1 hour we're 50% filtered at 2h 75%, at 3h 87.5%, etc. Not exact but close.
Correct - Everything goes into the sump before going to the towers (half of the sump water comes from the fish tanks and half comes from the returning tower water). It allows us to create a low point and have everything at ground level to make maintenance and harvest a snap!
Thank you for all of your videos I find them very informitive and I thankful you have taken the time to make them.do you see a need for or do you use a swirl filter?and if not why?
Do you have to use hdpe food grade plastics to get organically certified? Or can plants even process the chemicals in PVC. I'm debating this on my setup, if it's not even an issue, then I will just use PVC. Great videos.
We would love to incorporate more off-grid/alternative tech energy to our greenhouse. We just don't have the capital at the moment. Someday, maybe! We're happy to help out and passionate about giving value to the AP community. So glad you've found these videos helpful and please feel free to suggest future videos!
1) Would you recommend an inline pump outside the sump over a submersible pump inside the sump? If so, why? Just so you don't get wet? 2) It doesn't look like you have a swirl filter. I was thinking of adding a swirl filter between the fish tank and the sump made out of a 55gal drum. Why did you decide against the swirl filter? Doesn't a lack of a mechanical filter lead to heavier biosolid build up in your lines and media beds?
Hey +Rick Garnett 1. Inline for larger builds- more efficient, easier to monitor and maintain. Submersibles for smaller builds or builds where your solution naturally stays cool- much easier to work with and usually less expensive. Submersibles aren’t suited for big volume systems and they heat up your water so you don’t want to use them in hot or warm climates. Inline pumps are more pricey and won’t heat up solution. 2. You can use a swirl filter, we’ve used settlement tanks in the past which are basically just the long-form version of a swirl filter, so we do recommend them. The settlement tanks/swirl filters will remove your heavy/lg solids, and the towers take out the fines. Hope that helps!
So Constant Height In Fish Tank...so it gravity feeds to the sump? It seems like that water is moving pretty fast into the sump. Is it pretty steep down hill?
I idk if am just oblivious to the answer but am interested in starting an NFT aquaponics system i understand the importance of a sump tank but were would it go because the filtration will be done before it gets to the plant roots an i see in many systems it goes after the plant tubes...should it be just after the fish tank then go into the filters,then to the plants?
jacob bunch Exactly! Plus, having water splash into the top of the IBC helps with a few things, including oxygenation and the prevention of solids accumulation.
Sump pump can be too little if the flow through your system is more than the sump can easily handle. most sump pumps are big enough, but for larger commercial use that is something you should check.
jacob bunch We usually recommend a 50 gallon minimum plus 1/4 to 1/2 gallon for each ZipGrow tower in your system. If you're using grow beds, you'll need 50 gallons plus the total water volume of your combined grow beds. . .
jacob bunch We used a bunch of formica topped particle board and OSB for much of it. I wouldn't recommend either one. The material was free, which was why we used it, but If I could go back in time I'd use something sturdier- probably 3/4" plywood with a tar coating or other waterproofing.
I love your knowledge and information... however I do not like any of your video editing because I have yet to see one of your videos that shows what you're talking about. Might help to pick up the camera and show us :)
sharing the info is great but seeing what you are talking about would be great. your cute but the video isn't about you. more of a visual would be great.
Remember, most states offer a nice tax break for alternative energy. With some effort, and not so much capital, your entire system could be running off energy produced by sunlight, wind, & water. Three things you have plenty of, and don't have to pay any extra costs to obtain. That's a series of videos I'd love to see you guys produce. That in itself is a great marketing advantage. Not only to attract curious, and respectful customers, to buy what you grow, but also to buy solar/wind products
We're fortunate enough to live in a dry climate where it's not a problem. But, if you do live in an area where that's a problem, simply install a sump pump with a float valve in the well. Keep your inline pump up off the ground too. If it's a serious concern, you can waterproof the well (EDPM liner can be used to seal off the pump/tank pretty easily).
Thanks, Ronald! Thanks for the kind words.
I really enjoy your videos. You are very informative and a natural teacher. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for answering my question. I think if you took advantage of the wind in your area, and used vertical axis wind turbines, and some inexpensive solar panels, coupled with a grid tie inverter, you could run your entire system with alternative energy. The system would pay for itself, and B.A.T. would be an ever bigger inspiration on a completely different level. Using the water in your AP system, you could even set up a water wheel, and incorporate hydro as well. Just a thought. Thanks!!
The point of placing the pump below our towers is for ease of access with having our towers at ground level. We have a depth gauge to let us know about potential leaks or other errors.
With an aquaponic system of the size you're running, would it be practical to run the pumps, etc on solar, and, or wind, as an alternative energy source?? Have you ever considered doing that?? If so, why did you chose to run off the grid instead?? Just curious. Thank you for all the very informative, and educational videos. I appreciate you taking the time to shoot them, and explain your methods. It's an inspiration to many, and a service to all who have interest in this type of science.
That is correct - It's gravity fed from the tanks to the sump.
Vishal is correct. Instead of lining everything up and having each element below the previous one, or using two pumps, we run a single pump system which means that the water is split. This means that some dirty water is returned to the fish, but the math works out. If we split our water 50-50 and cycle the entire volume once per hour and the end of 1 hour we're 50% filtered at 2h 75%, at 3h 87.5%, etc. Not exact but close.
Correct - Everything goes into the sump before going to the towers (half of the sump water comes from the fish tanks and half comes from the returning tower water). It allows us to create a low point and have everything at ground level to make maintenance and harvest a snap!
Very informative and well done.
Thank you for all of your videos I find them very informitive and I thankful you have taken the time to make them.do you see a need for or do you use a swirl filter?and if not why?
Cool, if we can afford to we'll probably implement some of these things down the road.
Do you have to use hdpe food grade plastics to get organically certified? Or can plants even process the chemicals in PVC. I'm debating this on my setup, if it's not even an issue, then I will just use PVC. Great videos.
We would love to incorporate more off-grid/alternative tech energy to our greenhouse. We just don't have the capital at the moment. Someday, maybe! We're happy to help out and passionate about giving value to the AP community. So glad you've found these videos helpful and please feel free to suggest future videos!
Hi Sonny,
Swirl filters are great, but we don't use them because our towers do all of our filtration for us.
Would you recommend a concrete pond for the sump tank?
Within the next few weeks we'll be starting to sell some bulkheads and other fittings on our store. Keep an eye out!
i wish our HomeDepot and Lowes had bulkhead fittings! :)
Yep, it all gravity feeds. There's enough volume and incline to get it moving!
1) Would you recommend an inline pump outside the sump over a submersible pump inside the sump? If so, why? Just so you don't get wet?
2) It doesn't look like you have a swirl filter. I was thinking of adding a swirl filter between the fish tank and the sump made out of a 55gal drum. Why did you decide against the swirl filter? Doesn't a lack of a mechanical filter lead to heavier biosolid build up in your lines and media beds?
Hey +Rick Garnett
1. Inline for larger builds- more efficient, easier to monitor and maintain. Submersibles for smaller builds or builds where your solution naturally stays cool- much easier to work with and usually less expensive. Submersibles aren’t suited for big volume systems and they heat up your water so you don’t want to use them in hot or warm climates. Inline pumps are more pricey and won’t heat up solution.
2. You can use a swirl filter, we’ve used settlement tanks in the past which are basically just the long-form version of a swirl filter, so we do recommend them. The settlement tanks/swirl filters will remove your heavy/lg solids, and the towers take out the fines.
Hope that helps!
So Constant Height In Fish Tank...so it gravity feeds to the sump? It seems like that water is moving pretty fast into the sump. Is it pretty steep down hill?
I idk if am just oblivious to the answer but am interested in starting an NFT aquaponics system i understand the importance of a sump tank but were would it go because the filtration will be done before it gets to the plant roots an i see in many systems it goes after the plant tubes...should it be just after the fish tank then go into the filters,then to the plants?
Why do you use bulkhead fittings as opposed to hooking up plumbing to the valve the ibc tote comes with?
location on the inc, mostly convenience and making sure the spot out is right for you
jacob bunch Exactly! Plus, having water splash into the top of the IBC helps with a few things, including oxygenation and the prevention of solids accumulation.
do you have any type of circulation inside the ibc?
How do you prevent ground water from seeping into your sump hole?
Is there a way to calculate how big you want your sump tank to be?
Okay, quick question: Can I grow Sweet Corn this way?
Is there any way you can have a to little sump tank? Or dose it matter on size?
Sump pump can be too little if the flow through your system is more than the sump can easily handle. most sump pumps are big enough, but for larger commercial use that is something you should check.
jacob bunch We usually recommend a 50 gallon minimum plus 1/4 to 1/2 gallon for each ZipGrow tower in your system. If you're using grow beds, you'll need 50 gallons plus the total water volume of your combined grow beds. . .
Ok thanks.
From sump whare the water goes sir .To the fish or plants.😁
What kind of material are the walls of the well made of?
he says "scrap timber" round about 1:15-1:30
jacob bunch We used a bunch of formica topped particle board and OSB for much of it. I wouldn't recommend either one. The material was free, which was why we used it, but If I could go back in time I'd use something sturdier- probably 3/4" plywood with a tar coating or other waterproofing.
what kind of water heating system do you use?
Hi Marcos, we ran heated coils through our fish tanks before they went to our heat exchangers.
Will more detail on this system be available through USU?
why put the pump so low?
if you will have a leak the hole thing will be submerged...
So do you pump from your sump tank to your fish tank and your towers?
I love your knowledge and information... however I do not like any of your video editing because I have yet to see one of your videos that shows what you're talking about. Might help to pick up the camera and show us :)
jerry rigged !! yeassssss hahahaha
sharing the info is great but seeing what you are talking about would be great. your cute but the video isn't about you. more of a visual would be great.
Wouldn't recommend it..