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Aquaponic without PVC pipes or plastics

 
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I want to send my family who live in nigeria a design for a Aquaponic system but id rather be able to send it with items easily found/made with very little plastics . does anyone know where i can find a good design or book about that?
 
pollinator
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What do they have to work with? You can build them with almost anything that holds water. Plastic isn't the best, it is just the best price in the US.

Barrel systems: http://www.fastonline.org/images/manuals/Aquaculture/Aquaponic_Information/barrelponics_manual_email.pdf or http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/systems/barrel-systems/ibarrel-aquaponic-system-1/

Ferrocement: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1404

I can't find the plans now, but have seen LEAP-type systems made from a dug hole lined with plastic. Yes it was plastic, but ONE SHEET of plastic, air pump, water pump, and 10 feet of tube were the only non-local items--and they were able to fit in a big shoe box for shipping.

Biggest issue for most systems is power. Look for the LEAP systems (Low Energy AquaPonics) systems here and on the backyardaquaponics site for a LOT more info.

Abe Connally is the local expert here.

 
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if they already have a method for holding water (ponds, raceways, etc), then you really just need to add aeration and some filtration to increase the carrying capacity of the water. Plastic/PVC is probably your best bet for tubing. You can also use poly (flexible black pipe).

DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.

You could do clay/concrete raceways, but I think you'll find that the cost is more than PVC.
 
R Scott
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Abe Connally wrote:
DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.



I know copper is bad, but plain steel? I see pics/vids of steel tanks all the time in aussie systems. learn something new every day...
 
Abe Connally
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R Scott wrote:

Abe Connally wrote:
DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.



I know copper is bad, but plain steel? I see pics/vids of steel tanks all the time in aussie systems. learn something new every day...


can you send me a link to a system where the steel is in contact with the water? I wouldn't do it, and I see people talk about it all the time on forums. I imagine the ones you see are coated and/or have a tank liner.
 
R Scott
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The ones that I was sure didn't have liners has liners-- I confused the construction pictures of their (stand-alone) wicking beds with their AP system. Oops

Thanks, I would have made the mistake myself.

DON'T USE METAL
 
Abe Connally
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R Scott wrote:The ones that I was sure didn't have liners has liners-- I confused the construction pictures of their (stand-alone) wicking beds with their AP system. Oops

Thanks, I would have made the mistake myself.

DON'T USE METAL



well, use metal as a UV protection and structure for a liner. An old galvanized silo would make a great candidate for the outside of a liner tank or as a form to make a concrete tank.
 
Tokies Pop
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R Scott wrote:What do they have to work with? You can build them with almost anything that holds water. Plastic isn't the best, it is just the best price in the US.

Barrel systems: http://www.fastonline.org/images/manuals/Aquaculture/Aquaponic_Information/barrelponics_manual_email.pdf or http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/systems/barrel-systems/ibarrel-aquaponic-system-1/

Ferrocement: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1404

I can't find the plans now, but have seen LEAP-type systems made from a dug hole lined with plastic. Yes it was plastic, but ONE SHEET of plastic, air pump, water pump, and 10 feet of tube were the only non-local items--and they were able to fit in a big shoe box for shipping.

Biggest issue for most systems is power. Look for the LEAP systems (Low Energy AquaPonics) systems here and on the backyardaquaponics site for a LOT more info.

Abe Connally is the local expert here.




thanks for getting back to me. I know they may have access to pumps because i know they pump water from a well sometimes
i know they have acess to the super basics

i know they have barrels but i wouldnt trust the barrels it isnt like the states.. something we deem as unsafe are still sold

they are on about 3 hectares of land.. im a little confused i know there is pond stuff they can do but.. it would be cool to be able to send them a design but everything seems to be using plastics.. of some sort and if you are in another country.. it isnt always what you can get your hand on "clean" and cheap it may have had other use or may not be food grade


over all nigeria really isnt that bad. but they are in the country
 
Tokies Pop
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Abe Connally wrote:if they already have a method for holding water (ponds, raceways, etc), then you really just need to add aeration and some filtration to increase the carrying capacity of the water. Plastic/PVC is probably your best bet for tubing. You can also use poly (flexible black pipe).

DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.

You could do clay/concrete raceways, but I think you'll find that the cost is more than PVC.



so it's best to pull it off with a pond . they get a lot of rain at one time not as bad as some arid climates but it's like the sky dumps sometimes will that mess up the system?
 
Abe Connally
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Tokunbo Popoola wrote:

Abe Connally wrote:if they already have a method for holding water (ponds, raceways, etc), then you really just need to add aeration and some filtration to increase the carrying capacity of the water. Plastic/PVC is probably your best bet for tubing. You can also use poly (flexible black pipe).

DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.

You could do clay/concrete raceways, but I think you'll find that the cost is more than PVC.



so it's best to pull it off with a pond . they get a lot of rain at one time not as bad as some arid climates but it's like the sky dumps sometimes will that mess up the system?



it will be cheapest to use what they have, and then add filtration and aeration to increase capacity. If you include an overflow on the ponds, then rain won't matter, and actually gives you free aerated water.
 
Tokies Pop
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Abe Connally wrote:

Tokunbo Popoola wrote:

Abe Connally wrote:if they already have a method for holding water (ponds, raceways, etc), then you really just need to add aeration and some filtration to increase the carrying capacity of the water. Plastic/PVC is probably your best bet for tubing. You can also use poly (flexible black pipe).

DO NOT USE METAL!!! metal is bad for fish, so whatever you do, don't use metal tubing.

You could do clay/concrete raceways, but I think you'll find that the cost is more than PVC.



so it's best to pull it off with a pond . they get a lot of rain at one time not as bad as some arid climates but it's like the sky dumps sometimes will that mess up the system?



it will be cheapest to use what they have, and then add filtration and aeration to increase capacity. If you include an overflow on the ponds, then rain won't matter, and actually gives you free aerated water.



thanks!!!

so i got a place for some plant life and some growing... any idea for growing beds? or maybe im not understanding the design? i think i thought more on the lines of a natural pond is what your talking about?
 
Abe Connally
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Tokunbo Popoola wrote:

thanks!!!

so i got a place for some plant life and some growing... any idea for growing beds? or maybe im not understanding the design? i think i thought more on the lines of a natural pond is what your talking about?


2 ponds. one for fish, one for the biolfilter (plants, etc)

You could do more like a natural pond and plant the plants around the edge and put an aerator in the middle.
 
Tokies Pop
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Abe Connally wrote:

Tokunbo Popoola wrote:

thanks!!!

so i got a place for some plant life and some growing... any idea for growing beds? or maybe im not understanding the design? i think i thought more on the lines of a natural pond is what your talking about?


2 ponds. one for fish, one for the biolfilter (plants, etc)

You could do more like a natural pond and plant the plants around the edge and put an aerator in the middle.



ok cool!!! got it

thanks everyone.. sorry i was so clueless but everything at school at PVC in ours and im like ... this works great but how is this suppose to work without pvc
 
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