Affnan's Aquaponics

Aquaponics - It's here to stay.

2012-01-10T19:26:00.000+08:00

Manage to find a suitable spot in my front yard, yes literally a yard.. its 2'ft x 9'ft so 2 square yard the most. Clearing it and digging deeper so that I can put some pebbles as lining and prefab fibre-glass as fish tank.

My house renovation also cover part of the front, so this Aquaponics set will need to be done after that renovation is over. I am carefully planning on how to go about doing it, especially the growbed part. Since this is in front of the house it need to be presentable.

Wish me luck, so that I manage to do it around late May or early June.

What's Up With The Tilapia

2012-01-02T16:42:00.001+08:00

Underwater shot of juvenile Tilapia

Shutting Down is Hard to Do.

2012-01-02T12:17:00.001+08:00

As my previous post, I am slowly shutting the system down to make way for my house renovation. I had already shut down two of the grow bed and over the next month or so the final two will be stop.

There are few tillapia left and I hope they will be big enough to make use or probably I need to release them into the local pond.

Water is low, due to only about 100 fingerling left.

One pump for the 2 growbed operation standard siphon.

Its sad to shut it down, these growbed provide me abundant vegetable and fish.

Above are few vegetable yam, and they are a good source of vegetable. I'll post the video updates, uploading it now.

The Final Harvest

2011-11-12T16:55:00.001+08:00

This probably going to be my last harvest of Tilapia.

I needed the backyard to extend my house so the set has to go. Some photo of Tilapia, and bigger ones already collected few days back.

I am going to make pickle fish with these, and will take few days of making it.

So I will do it at half a pail at a time.

Tribute to a visionary - R.I.P Steve Job

2011-10-06T11:38:00.000+08:00

Goodbye Steve and Thank you , RIP.

Time Out - Beijing

2011-09-22T17:01:00.001+08:00

I have to apologise to all that following this blog, been very busy lately and not able to answer any queries.
Just back from this beautiful place, and its interesting to see how Communism embracing Capitalism.

I'll get in touch with those that had made query, its just very difficult to do it now.

Update 1st. August 2011

2011-08-01T17:45:00.004+08:00

Been taking the back seat this last few weeks, about 6 weeks of silence on the Aquaponics front. All is well just decide to let plants grow and halt all experimenting for the time being. I want to see the plants grow, and its slow.. with the heat and all.

Those growbed outside are flourishing with growth more than I could handle.

Corriander and Yam over spilling the tub, its very hot these last few weeks and water in the fish tank dried up very fast.

Most of the fish that was here I had transferred to the main tank and just left a few to take care of the plants needs.

On the main tank growbed growth over spilling too, covering the fish tank access. Its okay, I am not harvesting those fishes yet till after Christmas.

That shade that I did helps a bit on these dry spell and I would expect the worst to come this next 2 months. Evaporation on the main tank is significantly less, maybe due to the overgrowth.

Mint and Asparagus fighting for space, I just let them be. The Asparagus is not big and so far its survived.

When ever you don't have time or any specific plant to grow, try Mint first.. these will ensure you have plant to take care of the biological process and then you get the more serious plant to try.

Another growbed of Yam, I like this plants since its so fast in multiplying and provide plentiful source of vegetable for the kitchen.

The system running without problem and I just feed the fish to keep them happy. The plants are doing great on their own.

Okay till next time.

A Yam of a Time

2011-06-11T15:23:00.000+08:00

Planted vegetable Yam somewhere in late March, then transplant it to another growbed. Now its right time to harvest and make use of it.

It already outgrown the tiny blue tub and many suckling coming out for future harvest. I cut those initial planted since they are big and ready.

I do not want to dig it out, just cut it same level as growbed. There should be tuber forming but let it grow more. The tuber too can be use as vegetable, however this time I try the top part first.

Close up of the cut.

It will grow again and more vegetable for the kitchen. Its so easily grown in Aquaponics and good source of food for the family.

Above from the four plant, these enough for 20 people as vegetable eaten with rice Malay style. That Kesum picked is to be use along with this Yam during cooking.

These Yam need to be skinned and cut 2 inches long, the skin is not good since it a bit tough and fibrous. The inner part of it is use for cooking as above and its .. what can I say.. GOOD... :)

Okay that about it, another plant shown potential in Aquaponics.

Update 1st June 2011

2011-06-01T16:27:00.001+08:00

Not doing any experimenting this past few weeks, just letting everything grow and checking on their progress.

Once an Aquaponics system stabilized its nothing much to do really, I can't stand that. Decide to put up the shade that much needed for this coming hot spell.

Like everyone we learn from previous experience, this time I make it high and big.

Frame made from 20mm electrical conduit PVC and they are easy to work on, few cable ties and couple of hours its up.

I'll continue tomorrow on the shade, its that 50% shade that I use previously and I may need to buy few more yards to cover all the area.

Plants doing well, nothing much to do.. just watch them grow.

This vegetable Yam, filling the growbed fast. I may need to swap it to another growbed with less demanding plants.

I transplanted these Turmeric and they are very slow to recover. I just lowered the water level in this growbed to ensure more needed "dryzone" for this plant. I can only do this once I'm satisfied that those Stevia that I plant from cutting take root, since water level is about 3 inches from surface.

I also reduce the water level on this Asparagus growbed to give more dryzone, so far they survive and what's needed is shade, otherwise these plant will die.

Tilapia happily doing their business, as they get bigger I catch a few and transfer to the main tank since this tub is not that big to cater all of them.

Okay, that's all for now... everything fine but a bit slow.

Hopping Hopper

2011-05-22T13:35:00.001+08:00

Stumble upon this Grasshopper changing its outer shell in one of my growbed.

Feel like a good time to record this on camera.

Its already reaches advance stage when I happen to see it.

This grasshopper must be a loner, only one in my backyard. It don't do any harm, so I just let it be.

Just like crab changing its outer shell, I suppose this must be the most dangerous time to be a Grasshopper.

Done, few more minutes it should be ready to fly away.

Three Little Piggies - Grown Up

2011-05-22T13:28:00.001+08:00

These Yam once they recovered, without wasting time more saplings coming out. This is sign of good growth, and hopefully this small growbed can accommodate them.

This growbed cycle okay and water control like clock work, I am using the 20mm Siphon here. There was some issue with it earlier, manage to rectify by increasing the gap between top of stand pipe to bell dome.

If more sapling come out I need to get more growbed ready.

Stevia Rebaudiana - Update 16th May 2011

2011-05-16T19:49:00.001+08:00

Previous Post : Here

Its flowering and from feedback that I got during this period it has a bitter sweet taste. Actually I not using it yet these few plants just to provide base stock for my trial.

I decide to trimmed this plant, remove all its flowering branches and let it concentrate on growing.

Nobody says that we must maintain its flower, so off it goes. Concentrate all your energy towards growing. I need more healthy cuttings for new plants.

Its a bit dark when I snap these shots, the cutting that I plants after a week it still surviving.

All the sugar flower, it has a nice fragrance to it. Very refreshing.

The ones that I just planted also flowering, will snip off those to get the plant to concentrate on growing.

Both blooming.

Three Little Piggies

2011-05-15T15:59:00.001+08:00

First Little Piggies.. very proud and wanted to be seen.

Second Little Piggies.. too shy to be seen.

Third Little Piggies.., too small to be seen.

Time Out - Commuter

2011-05-14T09:47:00.001+08:00

I love bikes, may it big or small. Been riding for the last 30+ years never been without a bike, the biggest I had is an 1100 the smallest was a 70 cub, the Honda C70. They say it the No. 1 bike according to Discovery Channel for what ever reason I don't know.

I commute daily on bike, previously when I need to travel daily 200+ kilometre I use the Beemer, now the distance has significantly reduce due to my new work place for the last 4 years, I use Scooter.

My old Scooter the Sym Joyride need replacing, decide to get its bigger brother The VTS 200. This Scooter is ideal for commuting its a joy to ride, very light on the pocket.

I can't stand the daily traffic jam, and I feel its a waste to have only one person in a car that can carry 5 for daily commute. Driving to work is a chore and most of the time I would end up worried about schedule.

I ride even when its rain cats and dogs, the only time I would stop and wait is when there is severe lightning storm, fearing on getting a strike is the reason.

I ride Scooter for the last 20 years and anyone that never tried a Scooter, I surely would recommend to try one. Its the most enjoyable ride one can have.

Another Growbed Needs Attention

2011-05-08T12:39:00.013+08:00

The black tub, where those Asparagus been grown need some redoing. Since I have some free time today I decide to redo it. I did place that Stevia Rebaudiana in this tub yesterday as a temporary placement.

As usual, all plants out and all pebbles needs to make an exit too.. :( About time I make improvement to my Aquaponics setting, as time goes I learn a lot but to make changes do takes time since its hard work.

What needed are.

Additional Pebbles to make it 12" Growbed.
Better Lumber support for above requirements.
Siphon retrofit to smaller outer strainer having use the 32 ~ 25 mm reducer.
Improve "Whistler" on the outlet

Its a bit hard work, but it worth it in the long run.

Since Asparagus need to be removed, above photo shows its roots.

A better close up of same.

Asparagus aside in this basin for the next few hours.

This was the old type of strainer, where there are holes even on top of the pipe. Later strainer I only do bottom 20 ~ 30% of it. More holes on the top is bad, roots invasion may occur.

I'm changing this to the smaller diameter strainer and inner bell will be 50mm/2" PVC pipe as above. Standpipe and strainer in place, waiting for sealant to dry.

Let's not forget the outlet, these can be taken as the rear end of this siphon. We tend to forget the rear it is just as important as the front, at time it may be more critical to have the rear install correctly.

These growbed was almost 2 years old and at that time I was still experimenting with my siphon to make it better. The outlet use was the "whistler" like the one here but not as polished as this. It was made after alteration after alteration and finally this above what I will use for my set up. These four growbed that I have, slowly I'm making a better siphon for it.

Pebbles from the growbed, not enough more needed. These was from the time when I was experimenting with pebbles size. Those smaller aggregate are not suitable, on average I recommend 10 ~ 20 mm in size.

Pebbles in.

But its not enough, will get few more bags. Pebbles should reach at least vent cap lower height.

Got few bags of pebbles and all done, the Stevia plants in and Asparagus will be later this evening.

This growbed is next, the wooden support also showing sign that it would call it the day any time soon.

But its so much growth on it, that I am reluctant to do any thing to it.. I may have no choice but do it.

Another thing about redoing growbed is, its best to do it one at a time over a period of time. This to prevent ammonia or nitrate spike since not many plant left to use it up.

Sweet Taste of Aquaponics - Stevia Rebaudiana

2011-05-07T14:17:00.010+08:00

A good Article on Stevia : Here

Stevia Rebaudiana is a plant that is very sweet, interesting to be tried on Aquaponics. It looks like many other soft stem plant and almost like the "Sambung Nyawa" so it can't be that difficult to try.

With some difficulties I manage to get hold few of these plant. Its in one of the nursery at Selangor Green Lane, Delima Tani is the plot name.

Its Lot 49 the first lot after Kota Damansara junction heading to Shah Alam, on the Shah Alam - Sg Buluh Road better known as Selangor Green Lane.

Google coordinate of Delima Tani : 3° 9'54.73"N 101°34'4.03"E

They have many plants and Stevia is one of those that is rare and can be found here.

I bought 3, these will the base stock for my trial in doing this plant in Aquaponics.

Healthy looking plants, and about RM9.00 each, these are grown organically.

I will not transplant these to my Aquaponics bed, but I would do cuttings and try to propagate it this way.

Cutting taken about 4 inches and dip in rooting hormone to promote root growth

I only tried 2 cuttings, and will see whether it will grow.

The sun is on the extreme this next few months, so I made a temporary shade for these plant. A better shade need to be made real soon.

Stock plant, I place in Asparagus bed this to ensure it don't die off if maintain in those tiny pots.

Continue : Here

Just an Update - 7th May 2011

2011-05-07T10:20:00.003+08:00

Its been slightly more than a month I trimmed this Kesum (Vietnamese Koriander) plant and this is what its at today, another week it will be ready for next harvest.

Doing this small time, I am assessing this plant how long it takes between harvest and how much we could get per harvest.

Keladi (Vegetable Yam) improving and new foliage sprouting out, anxious to see suckers coming out its base.

I'm putting Sambung Nyawa plants in between those yam just to give this growbed more plant mass to support. This is the growbed that I am testing the PET bottle siphon on a 20mm stand pipe siphon.

Shoots below is a good sign, and these are edible

Its been about 3 days after I transplant these Kunyit (Turmeric) and just my luck the sun coming on full force. I had to continuously run my water pump 24/7 for the first 2 days just to make sure this "new" growbed and the new transplanted kunyit not having any problem.

Its always a good sign to have few insects, this could be close relative of the fire fly. I don't know what it is, but insect of the non destructive variety is always welcome.

Below, outlet spout of the 20mm siphon with the PET bottle funnel, its working fine for the last couple of weeks. Just let it be no more tweak or adjustment to this siphon.

Q. What is a good siphon ?
A. A good siphon is when you forget that it exist.

Trimming The Bush

2011-05-04T19:59:00.002+08:00

Not actually bushy, then again depend on how we define bush... Trimmed the Asparagus, don't ask me why.. just feel like it... well why not.

Don't know what I'm doing either, what I'm expecting is new foliage would grow from the trimmed cluster.

Its very thin, long way away from getting to pencil size edible Asparagus shoots. This is one growbed that I need to beef up to 12", should be good for this plant.

I have removed the 50% shades, may put it back up if sun back on full throttle, for now its gloomy most of the time. This time last year it was extreme heat, this year its gloomy. Ever since that Boxing day Tsunami the weather around here has change to the unexpected.

Okay, that was the bush above.

No Pain No Gain

2011-05-03T23:21:00.005+08:00

Another growbed need replacing its lumber support, its rotting. This is one problem that I very much afraid that would happen when I least expect it.

Little choice did I have except replacing it with fresh lumber, I seriously have to think of something else other than lumber to make these growbed support maybe I'll try concrete beam next.

Since I have to empty the growbed, might as well redo it to make it better. So, I decide to put 2x4 lumber bigger than previous 1x2 so that I could do 12" growbed... yeaaaaa... !!!

2x4 in place, next would be fresh set of siphon. I decide to go small, its a 25mm siphon except the bell and outer strainer is reduce in size. This siphon is the normal 25mm stand pipe but I use 32 ~ 25 reducer making it small enough to use the 50mm bell with 82mm uPVC as the strainer.

This siphon above use the same strainer as my mini 20mm siphon. So the bell and strainer pipe is same size, this will make it easier to fabricate. My only reservation is roots growth, being a smaller strainer its would be difficult to get access inside it. However from my previous experiences roots don't really did much harm in the setup.

All cover up, its not exactly 12" but close, this blue tub height is 12" so there a bit left to fill but not that critical.

One by one I am planning to upgrade to 12" growbed, it does takes time. Normally I wait for something major to happen only then I do it. Its a hard work to do it all in one evening after work, I'll sleep like a log tonight.

Update 4th May

Plant Turmeric in this bed, I'm redoing this plant to see how it grow in thicker growbed. This is a good cash crop since its leaves is use for flavouring. Matured leaves fetch about USD 0.10, and this plant can provide cash flow if grown in higher quantity.

These Turmeric are from growbed next to this.

Siphon Outlet - Assembly

2011-04-24T16:57:00.000+08:00

This post is a reference material.

Made 2 set of siphon for a person in Australia. It is a 25mm Siphon kit, with double elbow or high water "Whistler" outlet for both. This post is to give simple instruction on the slight differences in its assembling.

Above on the left is the double elbow and right the "Whistler". Double elbow is a straight forward type of outlet, where as the whistler is slightly more complex.

One different that is on the final down spout, it is reverse for the Whistler more holes on top as compare to the Double Elbow with holes towards the end of outlet. This doesn't matter much but this is how I would recommend it.

Apart from this difference, the Whistler use a Tee joint as the second elbow replacement, this Tee is the one that does most of the aeration while water level is high.

The first vertical, the one immediately after growbed can be adjusted to length depend on your installation. Extra 25mm tubing provided just cut to length. This standard is shown using 3" of 25mm tubing. The horizontal link after the elbow is also 3" in length. Normally this don't required to be adjusted.

The aerator tip is provided to give additional aeration while water is high. This tip adapter has a marking to be align with Tee joint mark to ensure optimum aeration. Once fix, its can be glued on to prevent leak (not critical)

All fittings not glued, only the aerator tip adapter is glued on to prevent difficulties in doing it right. This outlet has been tested and work good. The Whistler is tested by using a non holed pipe as in first photo to ensure it can give optimum aeration even with high water situation.

Whistler should work, aerating water up to minimum of 8 inches clearance between your growbed base to highest water level in the tank.

Aquaponics Display Set

2011-04-23T16:23:00.002+08:00

I have an old 2 ft. Aquarium, actually its the neighbour's that he's throwing away. So rather that seeing it heading to the dump I asked for it, that was few months back. Thinking what to do with it, I decide to make a small Aquaponics set.

Left overs plywood from around the back and few pieces of lumber all done. A fresh coat of paint on those seasoned wood it can be a demo set, small and portable. I will put a mini siphon next.

Will continue here.

PET Bottle Funnel

2011-04-23T12:42:00.006+08:00

Everyone will have one of these, okay.. deep in the Amazon maybe a bit difficult but most of us that have a pump and can do Aquaponics surely can get hold to one of these.... :)

My main concern from the start of introducing the reducer was difficulties in getting it elsewhere. That's the reason for the flared funnel, now another addition. I know some have made siphon totally out of PET bottles, but it is difficult to get it to be deployed on growbed without worrying that maybe tomorrow it will leak or fall apart.

This I made partly using the PET bottle, its a combination of plumbings parts and the bottle.

Get one of these bottle.

Strip it naked, this depend on your preferences.

Use a hair dryer or an open fire by burning old news papers :) make the 20 mm or 3/4" PVC soft and gently insert the PET bottle into the PVC openings.

Trim excess PET bottle to make it fit the bell, I use 50mm or 2" bell so I trimmed it to roughly 32mm reducer size.

In it goes, replacing the reducer stand pipe.. for a testing. BTW being threaded for screw cap these PET bottle funnel can be unscrew from the PVC pipe to be replace if needed.

Flush is good and cutting OFF water is also good. I'll monitor this.

BTW the PET bottle fit tank bulkhead adapter nicely. So it can be done this way below and the bell you could use the bigger PET bottle, it will work.

Something like this.

or if you want to use bigger stand pipe like say 25mm or 1" this Gatorade bottle looks good.

With some gentle persuasion these 25mm PVC and be made to accommodate that Gatorate bottle and use to replace the reducer for testing.

Its in and trying out.

A short video on it.

Tilapia - 4 months old

2011-04-22T19:16:00.000+08:00

These Tilapia , those big one are almost 4 months old.

Growing quite fast and these home grown Tilapia are healthier than those that I got from Aquarium shops.

Few more months they will be ready for the plate.

There are more than the last I did, are great to eat.

Keladi - Transplant Update 22nd April

2011-04-22T18:04:00.003+08:00

Previous Post : Here

Weather been cloudy and gloomy this past couple of days just like in those low budget horror movies. When there is no sun, one thing good to do is transplant.

I need to move these Vegetable Yam to a new growbed this week. Rather than waiting for the weekend I decide to do it today and spare tomorrow and Sunday for the kids.

These yam shows sign of tremendous progress, before it get any bigger I better move them. Once they are bigger it then would takes more time for them to recover.

Roots form beautifully from that what ever left of the tuber. I can buy more now to grow, since it is a success growing it from the market shelf stock. This plant most of it is edible and I think is easily multiply from that tuber.

Start out with four, all survive and looking good, ideal for Aquaponics

This growbed I'm testing the 20mm siphon not fully matured but would be ideal for only this yam, and I hope it would grow and multiply.

Making The 20 mm Siphon - The Video

2011-04-18T19:14:00.009+08:00

The write up is : Here

My experimenting on Siphon just about over, with only minor changes to it. I made this long overdue video to replace my classic that shows how it is made videoed using a camera phone.

This is a remake with additional footage to better explain it. Bigger siphon installation and components is similar just the size is bigger. This video also, show and explain the flared funnel stand pipe siphon, its installation is identical to this.

A 25mm siphon will be very similar to this installation. If you use 32/25 reducer or flared the 25mm stand pipes the same 50mm bell and 82mm Strainer can be use.

I'll concentrate my effort on the "Binary Valve" next.

Okay, cheers.

Making The 20 mm Siphon

2011-04-18T18:54:00.007+08:00

Since I am making two sets of siphon for Abu Dhabi, its best I use this opportunity to document it in detail so that it can be a reference for those that want to make it.

This post will be in parts.

Making Bell and Strainer
Making the Stand Pipe
Making Siphon Outlets
The Installation

Making Bell and Strainer

This mini siphon make use of 50mm/2" PVC bell with end cap and 82mm/3" uPVC for the strainer with vent cap for cosmetic purpose.

Above are made for 12" Growbed and firstly the 82mm uPVC need to be cut to about 11", you may cut it longer depends on how you are installing yours. The Vent cap take up that additional inch to make the growbed 12 inches.

Before cutting I normally use an A4 paper wrap around the pipe to ensure square cut, so use an A4 paper mark the necessary lines then cut the pipe to length.

There you go, I make two since they asked for two. I use hacksaw blade to cut, initially make a trace cut around then cut it deeper.

Next the 50 mm bell, similar to the uPVC mark it with A4 paper roll to get a square cut, but this time I square the uncut pipe first.

On the ends its easier to use a snip for cutting it. I use snip for all large pipes outer ends to square it.

I cut this pipe to length after gauging it with the strainer pipe, this to ensure matched height.

So after putting the end cap, insert the 50mm pipe in the strainer and mark it to length as below.

Take it out remove end cap, measure the length required double it which would be in this case here 10 and 1/4 times 2 so about 20.5 inches.

So far you will have these below.

Use hole cutter to divide pipe into to by drilling around, 4 or 5 holes will do. Since this is a 50mm pipe and I use 25mm hole saw to cut.

Cut in between the 2 large holes above as marked and you would end up with two piece of 50mm bell pipe.

Next to make holes on the 82mm uPVC strainer to complete this part of the siphon making. I use 8mm Tile drill bit, this is best for plastic. 8mm or bigger normal drill will do, but after making so many this is the best. A Tile Drill Bit

These strainer holes I do "free hand" rough estimate on spacing "fuzzy logic", nothing to worry about. The first row is the hardest to do, next will just a repeat and reference to the first.

I normally do about 4 rows, this one I make 6 rows. Strainer holes most important at about last 1/3 of the growbed water height, because everything need to go downward. No point of having strainer holes on top of pipe. This arrangement also will make sure plants roots will not have effect on strainer, well at least slower effect.

BTW in Aquaponics, using Siphon with strainer plants root don't really have significant affect on it. Since in Aquaponics nutrient is concentrated every where, plant root will tend to be localised and don't need to travel far.

Ensure good drainage with a good siphon will result in better aeration so the roots will not go far.

Finally you will have these done.

Making Stand Pipe

Stand pipe is simple to make, this is using reducer but for comparison the flare trumpet type will also be shown.

What you need for the stand pipe.

20 mm bulkhead fitting (tank fitting)
Short piece of 20mm PVC pipe
32/20 mm reducer (25/20mm would work too, I prefer this size)
32 or 25 mm PVC pipe for extension to adjust water level.

If you have difficulties in getting that reducer, just flare the 20mm PVC to make the funnel, more on that post : Here

I drill a 5mm hole on the Bulkhead fitting as a drip hole, this is optional but I recommend it if you need to switches off the pump at night. Otherwise its an optional item. Best to have.

Fully assembled this what you get, the flare stand pipe is on the right for comparison.

On the flares stand pipe, you need to make different flared length if you want to adjust water level. On the stand pipe that use reducer you only need to change the extender to do that.

Again I made two for the set heading for Abu Dhabi, Flared Stand pipe just for comparison actual shape must refer to its own post.

Making Siphon Outlet

Outlet play some part in getting good reliable siphon, don't view it as an after though it just as important as the rest of the siphon. Apart from making siphon more reliable, these outlet can be made to aerate fish tank better. There is also a special High Water Outlet I made for my growbed situation and can be referred on its link : Here

Parts Required are

12" of 20mm/3/4" PVC - 1 off
3" of 20 mm PVC - 2 off
20 mm elbow - 2 off
20 mm threaded adapter - 1 off

Before assembling it, drill holes on the 12" down pipe. half its length will do. Do not overdo it, too much that will weaken the pipe.

I use same Tile drill bit to do these holes.

Assembled two for the road, sexy pair of legs. These should work beautifully and slight changes in its measurement don't make any different in its performance.

The Installation

Installing the siphon is easy once all parts done. Below are all parts for the siphon.

and the grow bed is drilled with a 25mm hole saw to take the stand pipe.

How to Make My 20mm Siphon Installation Video:

Two Sets for Abu Dhabi

2011-04-18T12:22:00.003+08:00

When to Aquaponics heaven for some fittings, more like the local hardware. Rows of everything I need to make many siphons. Bought few item for my flow divider too.

These are cheap stuff for water pipes due lower pressure rating the blue coloured fitting are more expensive and of higher quality, however for Aquaponics usage they are top quality since we don't need high pressure parts.

One important quality for this fittings or pipe in Aquaponics usage is that they are UV resistance, and all of these are resistance to it. So its a good stuff for us Aquapon.

These are the stuff for making two 20 mm siphons minus the 50 mm (Bell), 82 mm (Strainer) and 20 mm (Standpipe & Outflow) pipes, its for installation in Abu Dhabi, long way to take the siphons. I'll make 2 siphons and 2 growbed ready, the fish tank will be locally source there.

Hitting The Holy Grail - Affnan's Style

2011-04-17T16:04:00.015+08:00

They say, getting alternating divided flow between growbeds is the Holy Grail of Aquaponics. So anyone that manage to get it done can be called a "Holy Man" :)

My experimenting with siphon just about over, its good. Never wanted to missed this opportunity, so I embark on a long quest to far far away places and end up in my backyard to try and achieve this. I dream a lot, thinking and rethinking to make it, once I have an idea I'll put it to paper and as below is my vision how a binary flow divider should be.

This flow divider make use of a "shuttle valve" that will divert alternately between 2 growbed. This shuttle valve is move by two diaphragm in turn triggered by siphon suction as water start to siphon out from the watered growbed. This suction move the shuttle valve which will cause water to be routed to the other "waiting" growbed until siphon started and the process repeated.

Sound easy, yes it should be easy.

I called it the "Binary Valve", and yes Aquaponics has gone digital. I have tried a proof of concept model it work, but more needed to be done to ensure trouble free operation. This Valve synchronise to a siphon. This valve don't need any special siphon to do, just an ordinary stand pipe bell siphon. Water cutting out not required to be done by the siphon, binary valve take care of it.

My trial, as follow. What you need are:

Two of this, to make the actuator diaphragm housing.

Or any of these plastic tub, like ice cream container will do nicely too.

Make a big hole on its cover, while another hand hold a camera.

Like so...

and another on its butt

like this, and put an aerator hose connector (or a tiny butt plug) in it. You can have it centred if you want, I drill on the thickest part still it cracked.

Put a 15mm or 1/2" tank fitting on the cover after the hole made. Cut off excess threaded part to ensure adequate clearance for the diaphragm later on.

2 pieces of plastic as diaphragm, these the best I could do for now. This is one item need improvement.

The plastic sheet should be install like above later after more item done on the binary valve.

A make shift shuttle valve, I need to make this better just like the one on the diagram or I could use rubber tap washer. That blue rod is a balloon stick, you can use anything similar.

Above how a shuttle should be, using a rubber tap washer on a rod. This shuttle valve is very critical component of this divider, it must be able to be move freely without much restriction.

Should look like this after install, this is mid position, it should be extreme left or right.

Mount the 2 lid on this valve assembly, I ran out of Tees, so only 2 Tees use the other is a hole drilled on the pipe.

Mount the plastic sheets on the end of the balloon stick. I use rubber end cap here to hold the plastic. A small screw with 2 plastic disc sandwich the sheet would do.

The finished assembly, mounted on water inlet. The shuttle valve is not tight fit so lots of leak. This is proof of concept, a lot more work needs to be done to make this use able. Only 2 tees use, I ran out of tee. I'll make better ones and test again.

Shown above when the siphon triggered it will move the shuttle across to provide inflow to the other growbed.

How it work.

As siphon started, there will be suction created inside the bell, this suction is the muscle power for moving the shuttle.
Suction will cause diaphragm to expand pulling the balloon stick, repositioning the shuttle.
Shuttle will divert water to the "waiting" growbed.
"Waiting" growbed recieve water, once filled its siphon will flush, repeating the process as above and routing water back to the earlier growbed.

This alternate action is controlled by the siphon, so it will be in synchronise with siphon and do not need any external control.

Okay, the holy grail just about to be broken.... I could be a "Holy Man"..... :)

Its a Slow Saturday

2011-04-16T18:08:00.002+08:00

Testing of 20mm siphon with home made funnel still going on, field trial is more like it. This is the longest test to do, actual utilization on growbed. I'm happy with it, due easier and cheaper to make.

Tidying up the backyard and I'm throwing most stuff that I don't need. I'm closing the chapter on siphon experimenting so a lot of stuff to get rid, a recycling scrapyard nearby makes things easier to dispose.

Its planting time again, will start fresh batch of plants. Its so difficult to get good quality seeds. Those that came foil packed, may not germinate at all.

Vegetable Yam (Keladi) doing great, more leaves coming out and they have recover from their market shelf hibernation.

I will transplant these few into growbed below that I have been testing the siphon. Its should be ready by next week, being an addition to existing system does make it cycle faster. It won't be fully matured but should manage to sustain these few yam plants.

Caught few more Tilapia earlier today about 15 altogether from the holding tank, gave it to the neighbours. I think about 10 left in this tank, many more in the main tank growing from earlier this year batch of fry.

Outside my back yard where the home kit is located, more Tilapia fingerling and some gold fish.

Okay, so much for a slow Saturday.

If You Can't Buy 'Em Make 'Em - Almost There

2011-04-14T19:36:00.005+08:00

Previous Post on This : Here

Made another standpipe today, a quickie. Back home after work takes me about 10 minutes to make. I use two step process to do it.

First step, just like previous use a wooden mandrel, to get the funnel done.

Then second step, use a shorter piece with minimum tapering and make the final shape. Both steps requires heating of PVC with a hair dryer.

This wooden piece is about 25 mm in diameter. Not exactly precision engineering but it does the job. A third step with a bigger piece should do it, that's next to do.

Walla as below, I choose a bright background to show the final shaped of this standpipe.

The three in a row as previous, the right most is the latest addition.

Now the openings.

Fitted inside siphon housing.

Minimum inflow needed to start it.

Currently the maximum it can cut off that I have tried, in this short test.

It getting better, the last funnel that I did also works. No big problem, I will now test its reliability over a period of time.

I got few feed back from regular visitors, and thanks for all the comments.

I choose to do the low Tech way of making this and try not to use any couplings or adapters for one simple reason. Sustainability, in order to achieve this we must strive to do with minimum we had and try not to rely on others.

A machined steel mandrel will surely got the job done far quicker and better, however there are those that don't have this option. Same goes with adapters or plastic funnel, there will be places that can't get those items.

So I choose a reasonable primitive way of doing it, so that if I manage to do it.. others surely can do it too.

A short video of siphon on test.

Cheers.

Time Out - Got Two New Toys Today.

2011-04-13T18:38:00.002+08:00

My ChiPad arrived from Hong Kong, this to test out. Don't compare to Galaxy Tab or the Ipad.. this item cost USD 96.00 inc shipping, I can't complain.

Update : 16 Apr 2011
After few days of extensive testing, its not suitable for my field work. Too slow for any serious job. Its okay for casual web browsing, youtube and facebook, so I just gave it to my daughter to use.

On a bigger note, our latest aircraft arrived. The Airbus A330-300 Enhanced, will add headache to my already tight schedule.

Going to be launch tomorrow.

If You Can't Buy 'Em Make 'Em - The Saga Continues

2011-04-11T19:52:00.006+08:00

Previous Post : Here

Manage to get a makeshift mandrel and did a quick flare for the funnel standpipe. Its not pretty and this the best I could achieve for now.

Side by side comparison to the one that I presently use. I tried to get the inlet as wide as possible.

Almost there, but the tapper is shallow and over a longer neck distance as compared to the ready made adapter.

I use this wooded stick above that available in local hardware for use with gardening tools as a mandrel. I need to make the tapped part more so that it will create a shorter transition from the bigger diameter to the smaller. Where is a Tobasco bottle when I needed one.

I use hair dryer to heat up the PVC pipe and gently press it against the mandrel. Constant reheating required to prevent PVC harden. A slow process, I don't have a heat gun other wise it could be much quicker. Heat produce by a hair dryer isn't industrial strength, but it does work.

Above the 25/20 adapter standpipe and below the home made flared standpipe. It remind me of trumpet and I need to make it wider, for now its okay.

Below is the water inflow where it start to flush.

This next picture below, water inflow that it will be able to stop.

Starting water is less that the stopping water, this will make it possible for make it operates somewhere in between these two inflow. A short test shows that the water inflow it able to stop is about 2x the minimum siphon starting inflow water. This is a good indication that it may be able to work.

I suspect the longer neck of this trumpet making transition very gradual lessen its effectiveness. I must try to make it broader and shorter neck as illustrate above.

Continue : Here

If You Can't Buy 'Em Make 'Em

2011-04-10T20:54:00.012+08:00

What does a Wooden Spoon, a Hair Dryer and a PVC pipe has in common. Yes you guessed it - Aquaponics. This is my first attempt of making a Flared Funnel for the stand pipe.

Many people can't get the reducer that I normally use on my stand pipe. I figured out that if I can use a 25/20 or 32/25 reducer on my 20 mm and 25 mm siphon respectively then it should not be a problem to just flare the 20 or 25 mm pipe and make a funnel on the end.

So my first attempt, using a hair dryer and a wooden spoon I tried to formed 20 mm PVC into a funnel shape stand pipe.

The wooden spoon has the tapered shaped but its flat, making it difficult to get the correct contour. What's needed is a conical wooden mandrel forcing it to shape once heated. Its a trial and I think it can be done.

PVC when heated with hair dryer it get soft, I only have few seconds to work on it before it turn hard again. However just reheat it back and it turn soft again no big deal.

Its easy enough to do and don't need an army to do it. Simple illustration below on how to get it done.

In theory this is how it has to be done and I will to test it out. But before that, I must get a wooden mandrel made.

Continue : Here

Keladi - Update 10th April

2011-04-10T13:06:00.002+08:00

This was last week : Here

Good sign, its growing. This will be stock for all my vegetable yam in the future.

Wait for it to produce saplings and more can be grown. Great... :)

Continue : The Transplant

Mini Siphon - Improving Previous Design

2011-04-09T13:29:00.023+08:00

Easier way to do It : Here and the PET Bottle Funnel : Here
A more detail posting of this Siphon : Here
Its Video : Here

The more I fiddle with the mini Siphon the more I like it. First mini Siphon I did using 15mm (1/2 inches) PVC pipe and fittings, this size is finicky and prone to failing.

I then resort to increase it size to 20mm (3/4 inches) as used on my single barrel kit sometime last year and had it running without problem since. This smaller size siphon was not really fully tested, since it just work and I assumed that it function as its bigger brother that I normally use.

Being small has its advantage, cheaper, easier to make and together with less water inflow requirements makes it ideal for small or solar powered system.

Before it can be deployed successfully, I need to make sure that it is able to tolerate varying water inflow. Otherwise it can't be use and would be a problem in maintaining it to work properly.

I have tried various water inflow, so far the result is encouraging. More test need to be done and I'm aiming to retrofit one of my bigger growbed to use this siphon.

Below diagram of mini siphon if anyone interested in making one.

Only dimension has change, the rest is identical to its bigger brother. I have tried with 32/20 mm reducer it work. I am currently trial run it with 25/20 mm reducer, if this smaller reducer with varying water input works, then it would be better to use this size.

With smaller size reducer used, if you can't get a reducer then its possible to hot flare the 20 mm (3/4") PVC to make a funnel on the stand pipe.

Additional note : 11th May 2011

The dimension between top of stand pipe to bell should not be less than 1/2" about 12mm. If less than this over time as the siphon get algae build up it may fail. Making it not less than this length will ensure trouble free operation.

If you find that its difficult to stop a siphon this may be the problem, try increase it. Insufficient distance can cause difficult to start, and if started difficult to stop.

Note :

On the 25 mm stand pipe siphon (its bigger brother), if reducer used is 32/25 mm then the 50 mm bell can be use for it too, making the 25 mm and 20 mm Siphon share the same outer dimensions.

Photo above showing the 25/20 reducer on the stand pipe with 50 mm outer bell. The reducer is placed on top, this was a quickie job, ideally I will make its as short as possible then use 25 mm pipe as extender to adjust water level.

I will try making a flared funnel from that 20 mm pipe, its its work then its even better. Most complaint I received is due to the non availability of the reducer in some parts of the world. Making a flare funnel is an alternative for those that having this problem.

Above with 32/20 reducer in place.

25/20 mm reducer used, with 32/20 mm reducer as comparison. Test conducted so far so good. Later this afternoon I will get more pebbles for my growbed and get it done properly.

Above a "High Water" siphon outlet that I am also testing, its not a requirement that you use this type. High Water outlet in action below, more job need to be done. Water overflowing the aeration breather.

The double elbow job as below do fine for most installation but I need the high water outlet due to my water level problem. Its only 6" clearance between my growbed and the highest water level point.

I know the mini siphon works after few days of trial, however the longer time needed to fully test it to see what plant roots will do to it if operate at prolong period. So I will monitor it for 3 months.

Pebbles loaded growbed done, now for more serious test.

Will update.

Monster Pump

2011-04-07T20:04:00.002+08:00

Finished installing a new air pump for my main tank, the old pump just can't handle it any more. Since my Tilapia is getting bigger and I am planning to get some Kelah "Mahseer" for trying out, its best to get this pump ready.

Pump made by JEBO China, 50 litre per minute that's the rated output with 40 watt of power consumed. Its a little bit on the high side with power, I will schedule it to aerate at night when the water pump not operating, however for this next few days I will run it 24/7.

The pump has eight outlets, three I use for this holding tank and another five for the main.

Aerator stones used and scattered around for even distribution of air.

Aeration helps in faster conversion of Ammonia since the bacteria has ample supply of oxygen. This hopefully will make water cleaner and more nitrate for the plants.

Additional Growbed for the Home Kit - Part II

2011-04-06T20:11:00.007+08:00

Continue from : Part I

I seriously want to make the mini siphon usable on bigger growbed. To ensure it will operate without fail, I need to test it with water flow in at two extreme. Water tested at its smallest and biggest possible within its operating range.

What I tested was by using a pump that I normally use for 2 growbed that use the standard 25mm siphon I use this pump capacity for the test.

Above flow is when the pump is only use for this growbed giving maximum flow like 3 times the minimum inflow capacity of this siphon.

Photo Above shows, water is not flowing into the larger siphon growbed.

Next test, with water at minimum. Its 1/3 the earlier flow. Water diverted to bigger growbed to take up the excess flow.

Water divided into two, with 1/3 flow to the smaller growbed.

Siphon flushing, both the small and big do its job without fail. At both extreme the mini siphon works, this is important for a siphon to achieve ensuring reliable operation with varying water flow.

I need to further test this smaller siphon, mainly to ensure that its does not get blocked easily by plant roots and debris. I want to see what's the maintenance like on it, is it the same like its bigger brother. I have operate this siphon after the last modification for about 5 months. This time I'll test it further with plants and actual bigger scale Aquaponics.

This mini siphon is very important to me, if its proven to work on a bigger scale growbed then it will make Aquaponics much cheaper to do. This siphon is easier to build, cheaper and require smaller pump.

My goal is to try an make it operational on solar power. In order to do this successfully, this siphon need to be reliable, able to tolerate wide range of water inflow difference, low in maintenance and low water inflow to operates.

Aquaponics never look this good.

2011-04-05T23:17:00.004+08:00

Received a message from Kevin Kawahara in Hawaii, on an Aquaponics Single Barrel set that he made for his kid's preschool as below.

Hi Affnan,
Just wanted to share some pictures of a fancy Affnan style barrel planter I built for my kid's preschool to auction off at an upcoming fundraiser. Pretty much all of it inspired by your blog:

https://picasaweb.google.com/kevin.kawahara/AffnanBarrelponics?authkey=Gv1sRgCNm-wou25979Tw&feat=directlink

I already have orders from the school for more to keep at the school.

Thanks for all your information!

Kevin

More Photos from Kevin at his facebook album : Here

What can I say, in one word its "Beautiful". Made for a preschool in Hawaii called "The Toddler Program" for their fundraiser auction.

It use a barrel cut to make a growbed and fish tank with castor base and nice graffiti on basics of Aquaponics.

Great for kids, and probably a good way to introduce Aquaponics to their parents too.

A white colour barrel, this is something vary rare to find. The colour make it blend in with the decor nicely.

Its wonderful to see some of my work being put to good use, especially when its done for school and charity.

There are more photos at the link he provide or check out his facebook by his name.

Keladi - Update 3rd April

2011-04-03T17:00:00.003+08:00

Last week I tried Yam : Here

It shows some progress, too soon to shout for joy. Something is better than nothing.

Leaves coming out and in another week I will be happy if its still growing.

Update 10th April : Here

Additional Growbed for the Home Kit

2011-04-03T13:48:00.020+08:00

Converting nursery tank into another growbed, if I need to turn it back into a nursery tank I will just need to remove some gravel and let siphon run without the bell.

Make a hole for the 20mm bulk head fitting and the rest is straight forward, since all else already in place.

Stand pipe ready, it will be a 9 or 10 inches growbed with adjustable water level from 4 to 8 inches. I am using my mini siphon, the 20 mm stand pipe with 32mm reducer fitted on top.

Note :
This mini siphon is smaller in size, it will require very small water flow to operate. If this siphon is install on a larger growbed it will still work, it could be better due to very small power consumption needed and it will make everything much cheaper and easier to build.

Strainer in position (glued on) with siphon bell in place, takes few hours for RTV to dry then its all done.

BTW to turn this into nursery tank, I will need to remove gravel up to the strainer holes and bell to ensure siphon don't happen. The pebbles being higher than strainer holes will ensure no fish fry escape down the tube. It is also recommended not to have the drip hole on the bulkhead fitting, just in case there is a power outage, the fry then will be toast.

Up skirt view, water outlet is a double elbow with perforated ends to aerate water better. This particular siphon was use on my single barrel kit that was on display at the Malaysia Airline premiss yesterday.

All ready, water inlet as previous nursery tank with ball valve to limit flow. Pebbles/Gravel next, this one is a real quickie job took me less than 30 minuted to do.

With this mini siphon within my regular set makes it easier for me to monitor and make changes if required to make it better. I have use the mini siphon for about 10 months and there is not much issue with it.

The only problem is due to the smaller pump was use in the single barrel kit makes it prone to clogging and requires me to keep an eye on it more.

If this siphon proven to be good then its best to convert all growbed to use this siphon due to its very low water flow requirements.

Update : Trial Run

RTV dried up, I only have few kilos of pebbles. That will do as a start, it enough for a "Nursery Mode"

Above pebbles just enough to cover the strainer holes, if I run it this way it will do nice as a nursery tank.

BTW the snorkel is just to ensure I don't get an overspill before siphon kicks in, that side hole was for previous installation.

Flush testing, it works without problem, starting and cutting-off.

As mentioned, outlet using double elbow this style more or less I use it as standard fit unless I have a high water problem then I would resort to using the Whistler

With this outlet arrangement, noise is sufficiently suppressed and aeration is good.

I'll be getting few bags of pebbles and fill it up to the maximum.

Malaysia Airlines - Exhibition 2nd April.

2011-04-02T00:13:00.004+08:00

Its 1st. April when we set this up, so some people may take it as an April Fools joke.
Invited to display my Aquaponics set, more on the siphon that they are interested due using some basics principle of aerodynamics. These are preliminary setup, need to finalise the set to make it presentable.

Its in the Engineering booth, so you will find.. Aircraft Engines, Weather Radars, Electronics Aircraft Displays.. few others Aviation stuff and Fish & Plants... It could be an April Fools Joke after all... :))

The display is not fully setup, will snap a better picture tomorrow.

Time Out - LHDN Malaysia

2011-03-30T12:44:00.000+08:00

To LHDN Malaysia

A note to say thank you to Malaysia, Inland Revenue Board for being very efficient in exercising their duty. Just receive my cheque for Tax Return after only 30 days of filing. Exactly like last year.

Thank you.

HUGG - Help Us Go Green

2011-03-27T18:41:00.007+08:00

A replacement video which is more general and timeless - Help Us Go Green

Tilapia - These are 3 months old

2011-03-27T12:33:00.003+08:00

Quickie photo of my 3 months old Tilapia, it was from the end of year harvest video.

Here is when they were fry.

I try hard not to overfeed them, to prevent excess protein in water.

Above their cousins about 1 months old.

Keladi (Yam) - Trying this plant in Aquaponics

2011-03-27T12:14:00.005+08:00

We call in Keladi its Yam in English from the family Araceae, there are so many variety and its easy to get it all mixed up. Some variety of this plants are grown for its Root (tuber), some for decorative purpose and the one that I'm trying out is for use as vegetable.

The stem and root can be eaten, cooked as vegetable dish. Those that grown for its tuber (taro) are bigger in size and may not suit my small setup.

I bough few of these Keladi from the wet market for planting, this way I am sure the variety I had is for vegetable and they are not "Gatal", Its a property of these plant that will make you itch, those that do that is not suitable to be consume.

Most of its roots had being removed for them to display on the shelf and hopefully it can grow from what's remaining on the stem.

I use the Asparagus growbed to give these plant some head start. They don't do well in direct sun and from what I read they like high Nitrogen and wet soil. Looks like a good candidate for Aquaponics.

There are poisonous species of these plants so be careful, never pick from the wild unless you know what you are doing. They look almost the same, brightly coloured plants is a no go for food on these species.

In the wild they are something like above picture, they like wet and shady areas.The one that picture above is not for consumption, only to illustrate how the plant looks like.

Vegetable Yam above, stem is lighter in colour.

There are large area where Yam are planted, some for pharmaceutical purpose and some for their tuber.

I'm looking forward for this plant to do well in Aquaponics, its a good plant for vegetable, its hardy and should be easily grown.

Update : 3rd April Here

White Flies Revisited - This Time its WAR... :(

2011-03-27T11:29:00.002+08:00

This is more difficult to get rid compared to stubborn dictators. White flies making a comeback, a nightmare for Aquapons because we are so limited in using insecticide. Malation is a no go, its a "No Fly Zone" for us Peaceful Aquaponics Enthusiast.

I am trying this out, Lemon Grass Spray..., doesn't sound "High Tech" don't use anything that's classified as weapon of mass destruction.. but I hope it will work.

Lemon Grass Spray, its more for cleaning than for killing anything like insect, but the lable did mention that its safe and will repel insect from house plants. So the keyword "Insect", "Plant" and "Safe"

I hope it'll be as good as the girl in the label otherwise no point of putting her there.

"Anti harmful insect in the flowers plants or fruits" so this statement says it all.... unless its some marketing gimmicks.

The Guinea Pigs would surely be my Cherry Tomato plants, always eager to be of service.

Let see what happen, hope it don't fall under "My blunders" category.

Note : I am not promoting this product. I don't own the company, I wish I do.

Tilapia Breeding - Fresh Batch of Fry Update 23rd March 2010

2011-03-23T21:38:00.002+08:00

Getting bigger these fry, some already aggressive in its behavior.

They like to swim around the water drop area from upper nursery tank, which now hold few gold fish from the single barrel set that undergoing a make-over.

These are mixed from 3 separate breeder, that's why the different in size.

I feed them with mixture of smaller pellets and powdered feed mostly from rice bran. They grow fast and soon I'll put the bigger ones into main tank.

Agustine & Edwin Aquaponics

2011-03-23T19:30:00.003+08:00

Invited by Edwin and Agustine to their set located in Balakong, Selangor sometime last weekend. Its a big setup by home gardener standard especially within the urban vicinity where land area is at its premium.

Their setup, make use of gravel grow bed Siphon Flood & Drain and Deep Water Culture using polystyrene foam raft as growing floats. These are housed in a Polythene "Green House" to protect from bugs and the elements.

DWC and the Flood and Drain sets are isolated in their water source, with a big swimming pool tank for the DWC water reservoir and fish tank, feeding DWC channels via filtration.

Fish tank stock with Tilapia, Green Kelah and few other fish.

Various filter used to get fish solids out from water before irrigating the DWC channels and water are returned from the extreme end with a pump to complete the cycle.

Leafy greens, beans and Okra grown in this DWC, with salad and kangkong below

Flood and Drain in the opposite side on the other hand utilizing growbed over the fish tank approach. This is the simplest way to do Aquaponics.

Rows of growbed over fish tank which about 2.5 feet across and about 50 or 60 ft long but its quite shallow around less than 1 ft deep stock with few Tilapia and gold fish.

Cucumber, Tomatoes, Beans, Chili and Okra are grown on the flood and drain side.

Okra looks a bit thin. Edwin pointed out that these Okra get infested with aphids it stunt their growth.

These Tomatoes according to Argustine is about 4 months old.

They are having problem with high acidity, PH dropping down, contrary to what I would expect as Limestone gravel used as grow bed it should swing the PH on the opposite side of the scale toward Alkali.

Its also affect the DWC system more than the Flood & Drain. From my short observation, I can't see any thing differ in their Flood and Drain setting to others, also the DWC is of standard installation.

Plants are not doing well, one reason I could see is that some plant affected by growbed not fully matured this causes stunted growth, that don't recover after growbed reaches maturity.

I'm a bit concerned about the polythene "Green House" it cause the temperature inside to shoot up very high. Its okay for temperate country by over here its can be a killer.

I would suggest green house material are made from those mesh type of nettings that keep away insects but do provide free air flow to not heat up the space underneath.

In all they are starting out, and lots of things to learn. I'm sure they'll get it sorted out as they progress.

Asparagus - Update 23rd March 2011

2011-03-23T18:35:00.005+08:00

Last Update : 4th Feb 2011
Its more than a month since my last update on Asparagus, not much been happening over the last couple of week. Its grown taller and more stalk coming out.

Its still very fragile and thin, I sown 11 altogether 7 survive and the remaining 4 didn't made it. Was busy this last few weeks, I need a total redo of my Aquaponics set up.

I protect these Asparagus from the sun by using 50% shade, before that its showing sign of heat damage and dying.

Don't know what to expect. Asparagus from what I read they have crown underground, I hope these few manage to develop crown so that I could transplant them to a better growbed once I manage to redo these.

Time Out - Happy Birthday Amir

2011-03-23T18:24:00.002+08:00

He's 4 today. Here when he's three.

He's my sunshine.

Single Barrel Aquaponics - Special Request

2011-03-13T12:09:00.013+08:00

It all started : Here. I made my first single barrel Aquaponics kit. Someone asked me for a demo unit small enough to be portable.

This single barrel kit suit that request. So I proceed in getting another barrel, cut it in 2 as previous set, however this time with slight improvement in the cut out to strengthen it.

Growbed will be on top as previous, this barrel is a bit thinner then what I got the last time. As a demo set it should hold growbed weight. I'll need to do a trial run like 2 weeks to test it.

I'm not using cable tie or zip ties this time, instead I decide to do lacing, its far stronger then cable ties and last longer too. This below is industrial strength lacing cord.

All done, I let it stand in the sun to get all expansion and looseness sweat it out.

Siphon outlet and water inlet fittings done, siphon is 20mm stand pipe with 32mm reducer as my revised mini valve in this single barrel kit and water inlet is 15mm pipe with saddle valve as diversion and a very low capacity pump.

Plumbings, Siphon and Pumps next, I continue this evening. I am going to visit another Aquapon place this afternoon.

Side by side comparison the old and new, cannot finish this kit today, it started to rain.

Update 19th March 2011 - This new barrel is too soft, it will not able to hold the growbed weight. I'll use the old set for this demo if I am not able to get another barrel of thicker wall.

Clearly cannot be use, its buckling under gb weight.

The old barrel set below looks good, so now I know not all barrel are equal the darker it colour the thicker its wall. Have to watch out next time, but don't ever use the black barrel its may hold poisonous or corrosive material.

I have to do up this old barrel and make it look good for the exhibition, no time to get a new set, this one is already proven to work.

Come to think of it, if I had chosen the softer barrel during my earlier attempt in making this single barrel kit I may have not made it. Thinking all barrel are soft and not use able.

Update 24th March 2011

Getting worst and cannot be use.

The old Barrel Kit revived and ready for the expo.

Tilapia - Halt on the Breeding

2011-03-11T21:09:00.002+08:00

As previous post, having too many fry and to little space. I just have to do something.

All the Tilapia in the breeder tank gone back to the holding tank, decide to stop the fry production due too many and I need space for the present batch.

All fry into bottom tank now and let them grow for few weeks and transfer into main tank.

Nursery tank as use for fry is now empty.

I'll make this nursery tank into growbed, with mini valve, just what I need a growbed to further test my mini siphon.

More Fry

2011-02-28T19:13:00.001+08:00

They just keep on coming, must be few hundreds in this nursery tank.

Close up shot

There are more fry in the bottom tank.

Youtube Members Video on Siphon

2011-02-28T18:20:00.001+08:00

Youtube members chengaun, new cycling system with DIY Affnan Siphon..

Aquaponics Malaysia - En. Ahmad Hayan Radzi Setup

2011-02-27T20:17:00.005+08:00

It was a pleasure to visit someone else Aquaponics set up, give me new ideas on how different arrangement Aquaponics can be practice.

Encik Ahmad Aquaponics located in Shah Alam, about 30 minutes drive from my place. He is using his koi pond as water source for the Aquaponics..its a medium size pond with its own filtration in place.

Water from this pond delivered to 4 growbed utilizing same pump as existing Koi installation, therefore its using surplus capacity that already there.

Water return via sump tank, since its about 20 ft away to pond. He has manage to fine tune the siphon so that its works with this long return.

The red plastic box above is sump tank for 2 growbed. He use hardware angle iron as support and fibreglass tank as growbed with about 12 inches of granite.

Its still relatively new about a month old and give another month or so it will mature and start to support those plants.

He's slightly worried about granite size, some of it are very small and might cause water clogging. Only way is to monitor and see how it goes.

Another pair is in the front part of his yard, almost same arrangement and he's putting some shade to protect those young plants from the extreme sun.

All in all En. Ahmad is on the right track and he knows what he's doing, good to see and I gain some knowledge after seeing his set.

A very nice elderly gentleman En. Ahmad feeding his Koi, he's keen in replacing it with some other variety. In this pond its already teaming with few species of fresh water fish.

As usual Amir will be around to keep me on my toe. I'll visit again to see how's thing going with this set and learn setting Aquaponics on such a setup.

Time Out - We Crashed.. :)

2011-02-27T13:58:00.001+08:00

Once in a while its fun to get some fright, this is the Airbus 330. Have some training flight on it.. and yes we did crashed.

Luckily, we are still at ground zero in the simulator .. :))

Live Fish - Anyone ?

2011-02-27T13:46:00.004+08:00

Just back from Tesco for our groceries, snap few picture of their live fish.

These Red Tilapia look sick

Seriously do they expect anyone to eat these sickly looking Tilapia, not me.. not even for free.

Water is dirty not circulated, only filtered to some extend. Those fishes in there and they'll be contaminated even worst in these condition.

Some fish even have those slimy algae (don't think its algae) on their fins.

Will they ever learn to keep these fishes fresh and clean, only then its will be attractive enough for people to buy.

yuck.. !!!

and more yuck !!!

If this is the condition of live fishes kept, imagine those dead ones frozen on the shelf.. how was those reared.

Give me these below any time.

Diner - Tilapia

2011-02-26T17:14:00.000+08:00

Having mature Tilapia in smaller holding tank makes it convenient to catch if we decide to have them for diner.

Catches a few about 10 minutes ago, I pick all the bigger ones and average about 750 ~ 1000 gm each.

Fresh Tilapia, it cannot be any fresher than this.

Total 6 big ones, plenty more in the holding tank and a zillion more fry waiting to be raised.

Cherry Tomato

2011-02-19T22:33:00.006+08:00

Cherry Tomato is the smaller variety of tomatoes, it is determinate type of tomato where they grow, flower and fruiting at same time or within same period of time. This tomato pruning is not required and their average life span about 4 months.

Above cherry tomato planted traditional way, mature plant bearing fruit.

Seeds collected from this plant are sun dried and use for planting.

Seeds sown directly onto growbed, if sowing tray available then its can be use. Germination occur after about 5 days.

Another 2 weeks they should be ready to be transplanted or rearrange within the growbed. On the average I waited for the seedling to be around six inches before transplant.

Too small, they are fragile and can be damaged easily, too big they may not survive the transplant or may require longer period to recover.

Cherry Tomato do well in Aquaponics, they are more resistance to white flies. Having said that, however they are not totally immune to it, just that white flies will takes a longer time to attack these cherry tomatoes.

They will start to flower after about 45 days from sowing, this depends on how fast they recover after the transplant. On average its 45 days.

Staking are required since they are soft stem, and 3 or 4 poles require for each plant. In the fields they use string as support, however in my growbed I use plastic pipe.

Flowers below.

After pollinated they form fruits and it will be another month to month and a half for it to ripen

Once they started to flower and producing fruits there will be plenty, and they all ripen within a month.

Plenty of Tomatoes for the family.

Daun Pandan - Pandanus Amaryllifolius

2011-02-19T17:41:00.002+08:00

Daun Pandan - Pandanus Amaryllifolius is a plant belong to the Pandan family. It is use widely in Southeast Asia cuisine as flavouring.

Growing it in Aquaponics do not require any special care due its naturally from the swamp anyway.

Young plants taken from clusters from nearby patch planted into Aquaponics growbed.

In no time these Pandan start to colonise the growbed, they have to be trimmed to a manageable size.

On an average household one sole pandan plant is enough and can be grown in a growbed.

Ulam Raja - Salad for the King

2011-02-19T17:01:00.005+08:00

Ulam Raja (cosmos caudatus) is a popular herbal salad among the Malay. This is an annual plant that flower then die off. It has good medicinal properties, suppose to be anti ageing probably due to its anti oxidant properties.

These plant the young leaves are eaten raw with sambal and its help in reducing bad breadth and body odour.

Flower below pink in colour about 40mm in size

After flower pollinated they produce these seeds below, approximately 20mm long each.

Seeds dried on the stalk and fall to the ground germinated into seedlings below.

Below after about 1 week its leaves start to appear.

Planted few of these ulam raja on my Aquaponics set,

and it does grow without problem.

Below young leaves that we normally pluck from the plant to be eaten raw. Ulam Raja has a pleasant and refreshing smell.

After young leaves plucked, new shoots will start to grow just below the cutting giving more young leaves for the taking.

Older leaves not suitable to be consumed raw, they have a stronger taste slightly bitter.

Below some of Ulam Raja plant in my Aquaponics set.

Fresh young leaves below picked from my patch with Mengkudu leaves underneath it.

Tilapia - Separate Tub

2011-02-19T13:59:00.004+08:00

Catching all mature Tilapia and put them in separate tank. In main tank only fingerling, and more fingerling to come. Holding them in this smaller tank make it easier to catch when needed.

This tank is connected to main tank via a 20 mm PVC water bridge, this will ensure water circulation and a pump will feed this tank water to growbed hence taking ammonia away from it.

Water is shallow in this tank, waiting for rain to get it higher.

Those Tilapia constantly trying their best to jump out. They will stop doing so after few hours in this tank... probably due to new surrounding prompt them to do it.

Above how my present Aquaponics arrangement looks like.

These fish are very healthy and the best part is I know what exactly they feed on..

A short video, while I am at it.

Tilapia Breeding - Fresh Batch of Fry Another Day

2011-02-15T14:12:00.004+08:00

Since these fingerling already capable of surviving the main tank I decide to move them over there.

I was hot really hot.. something like noon over here.. catches all the fingerling with a fine mesh net so that they are not injured.

Hold temporarily in a basin before putting them in main tank.

Those above fingerling is from : Tilapia - Breeding Part II. They should survive the main tank.. some earlier batch made it. There are no more Yellow Tail Catfish in the tank so they will be fine.. Tilapia.. don't eat young ones.. well at least that what I though..

That's mum .. its easy to tell.. once you see any fry around .. disturb the water a bit, they will head for safety.. and usually in mum's mouth.. Then carefully catch her.. and place in the nursery tank.

Took me sometime to catch her, and just at the point of catching.. she spit out her young. The fry is easy.. in no time they will be in the nursery tank.

One way to see which Tilapia is carrying fry or eggs is during feeding time... try feeding them slowly.. see which of those in the breeding tank don't eat.. do this few times. You will know .. that one is carrying eggs or fry.. then just monitor.

Don't catch mum while they are carrying eggs unless you have eggs tumbler to take care of it. Its best just to let it be.. after all its more natural this way.

BTW mum will retire in to the main tank along with her fry.. once big enough.. I need to catch another female to take her place.

Tilapia Breeding - Fresh Batch of Fry

2011-02-14T19:24:00.001+08:00

Those fry early this year is getting bigger, more like fingerling now.

Been feeding them rice bran, and I mixed it with bigger pellets.

Few more weeks then they are ready for main tank...

they better be.. ready.. because

More little ones are coming...

and coming...

and coming....

Natural breeding of Tilapia is easy.. very few things can go wrong..... these breeder produce after about 45 days in this breeding tank.

Siphon Test - The Day After

2011-02-13T13:27:00.002+08:00

Restricting water from pump is not a good idea, waste of energy and its best to do diversion and make use of that diverted water to aerate tank.

Diversion at its simplest, make a Saddle Valve to bleed off excess.

Saddle Valve works and its probably the cheapest means of water diversion, however it do create quite a splash in the tank. How to make Saddle Valve : Here

Above photo water reduced on the delivery side of the pipe.

More common method above using ball valve on a "Tee" diverting water. Need additional item a "Tee" and a Valve, not that expensive just add more things to the shopping list.

Above an attempt to reduce the splash from Ball Valve outlet.

Just another way above to reduce the splash.

10 inches standpipe for a 12 inches growbed.. can be adjusted to what ever length by reducing length of extender tube.

Extender tube remove, above stand pipe is at its basic height of about 5.5 inches. Tested at both height no problem, now I test at this basic level because less time to wait.

What I practice on my growbed is high water level initially and I will reduce it once plants start to grow, its depend on what plant you grow some need more dry zone then others.

Siphon Test

2011-02-12T18:01:00.003+08:00

Testing siphon for 12 inches growbed, water in is at full flow from one pump without diversion. Water just too much for it.

Normally this home kit is only up to about 10 inches growbed, but I need to test out this siphon before I can make for others.

No big deal to get the flush started, its the cutting off is the problem. Its too much so I still need to put a restrictor valve.

That aquarium in the back is to make up for lack of gravel in the growbed.

With restrictor not a problem to get things going, I'll have it running for next few days to see if any problem cropped up.

Can be made higher, just need to cut different length of 50mm extender tube.

Catching a Lady

2011-02-10T20:03:00.001+08:00

Spotted a Ladybird among the herbs, its good to have this insect they comb all the plants for food, eating White flies.

When there's one there should be more.

So far only one, let it call for reinforcement to protect my growbed.

Brinjal

2011-02-08T18:41:00.000+08:00

Trying out Brinjal (Terung Panjang) this round.

Since its not leafy vegetable, need to see how well it do in Aquaponics

Asparagus after shade provided shows some improvement. Those shade that I put up is just in time for a very hot weather over here.

Nothing else happening on the planting side, just have to wait and see..

Time Out - New Alley

2011-02-06T11:02:00.012+08:00

Its been about 7 years ago these balls last touch the lanes, after my right knee injury recur I stop. Decide to give it a go since there is a new Bowling Alley just opened 5 minutes from home.

The Bowling Centre located in a Golf Club nearby and its away from the busy city or dense urban population, perfect place for me.

Its a small Bowling complex with 18 lanes and another 5 located in another room. A good place to start over and gain my confidence after such a long break. However after trying out the lanes, found that its not properly maintained. Not oiled as it should, bone dry.. can't even do a hook.. anymore, it just goes straight.

All is not lost, its a fun place to bring the kids and gaining some exercise.

No good my right knee still hurting bad and just can't do it... struggling to even do 120 .. need to get it over 170 only then I'll have the courage to join any small club activity.

The wife trying out, its all wrong on the body position.. well it manage to the gutter..

Amir, as usual throwing tantrum after not manage to lift the ball... :)

Tiny Asparagus

2011-02-05T11:14:00.001+08:00

Two shot of tiny Asparagus shoot

These are good sign, it shows they are growing and multiplying.

These shoot was not there when I took this photo below yesterday.

Home Kit - Prototype

2011-02-04T16:24:00.005+08:00

Finally the steel frame is done, its expensive and bigger than I would expect. I just manage to get it into my Suzuki Swift after folding the rear seat and driver forward to the maximum.

Still too big for my liking, need to make it smaller. I wish I have a Pickup for these.

Each of the floor tiles is 1ft in size, so the metal frame is about 4 ft by 2 ft and 30 inches high (table height)

To make it smaller I need to use smaller growbed, this growbed is the standard size that I use. The reduction on growbed size just not worth it.

Another way is to make the metal frame collapsible but will make it cost more to manufacture.
Below the growbed, siphon installation yet to be done. This give me the chance to remake a video on how to make the siphon.

Bottom piece tub as fish tank can be replace with a large aquarium if needed.

These units I can do for RM 600.00 (about USD 200.00) per set cash and carry excluding gravel/pebbles and fish. The set will include 2 tubs, a metal frame, a siphon assembly, water pump with inlet for above and an aeration pump.

This home kit size is ideal in my opinion, not too big and not too small. Its just that I don't have the vehicle to carry it around.
So anyone located locally that can Cash and Carry, these set can be made available for the above price. I still need to get a PICKUP.. :(

Asparagus - Update 4th Feb 2011

2011-02-04T11:53:00.004+08:00

Last Update : 15th Jan 2011

Asparagus growing and I'm monitoring it closely since it looks very fragile.

The heat and sunshine over here make it difficult to grow asparagus. There are sign of heat damage on the leaves and I need to protect these plants from the heat.

I erected a temporary shade to reduce sun by 50 percent and hopefully this will help once the plants fully grown will see whether its still necessary.

Another item on the list is those growbeds I will have to add more pebbles and to do this I will have to replace all the wooden beam supporting it with a steel ones, otherwise it will not hold. Most of the wooden beam needs replacing anyway.

Update : 23rd March 2011

Time Out - Project Barbeque

2011-01-30T15:26:00.003+08:00

Its been raining cats and dogs, nothing much happening on Aquaponics front, use this opportunity to modified my BBQ set to make it run on Propane.

I shoehorned a gas burner into the old BBQ set and walla its work. A circular grilled plate will be need to uniformly distribute the heat.

Need to fine tune it further and put in a pilot light for fire starter.

Not bad for a USD 30.00 project.

Single Barrel Aquaponics - Update 29th Jan 2011

2011-01-29T10:50:00.004+08:00

Last Update : Here

Its been about 3 months I last touch this set, its been on maximum neglect from last I redo its siphon and inlet. There's a reason for this, I simply want it to fail and I want to see what else can go wrong so I could make adjustment or improvement. On the other hand its a politically correct statement for being lazy.. :)

Cherry tomatoes on this set is dying and must be replace very soon. Water is crystal clear no sign of suspended matter or algae.

No foul odour coming from set, this is good. Water pump doing its job but in-flow shows sign of reduction.

Above water inlet still flowing with sign of reduce water flow. There are some Tomatoes germinating from last planting drop.

This 20 mm siphon didn't missed a beat. Water pump I put on timer with night time shut off. Aeration pump 24/7 since its a 4 watt version, power consumption is minute.

Those bait fish getting bigger, and I must say they looks good too. These fish I got it for like USD 0.03 each.

I will not redo much, only thing I'll replant.

BTW.. There is a guy on youtube commented, that "there is no way this single barrel set able to hold all that pebbles in the growbed" ... few months back. well this is for you... "IT HOLD" ... :)

Update 26th Jan 2011

2011-01-26T19:55:00.001+08:00

Slow overall progress on my Aquaponics Backyard. Making few more set for friends, most difficult part is to get the metal racking done by metalwork shops nearby.

Few tomatoes germinate from previous batch, these are tomatoes that I didn't picked up from the growbed. They just germinate, I will move them once big enough. This time I'll only plant a few.

They grow in cluster out of the rotting tomatoes, this is probably how it happen in nature.

Asparagus growing, very fragile. I should make some shade, if not don't think it will survive the heat over here.

It very slow to grow and I need to add more stones on this growbed to create thicker dry zone.

Tilapia fry getting bigger and soon will be fingerling size.

I feed them rice bran. Its soothing to watch these fish grow and getting bigger and knowing that this is something beneficial to learn.

Paul Trudeau - Vertical Breather

2011-01-25T01:07:00.002+08:00

Got an email from Paul Trudeau from Sacramento California.

His system using fish tank , sump tank for water feed and growbed. Water from growbed by siphon and gravity over a long tube back to the fish tank as illustrated below.

With this arrangement he experience problem with equilibrium flow, initially he raised the growbed to eliminate this situation but its not a pretty sight if the growbed is high.

To address this higher growbed issue, he installed vertical breather on the long return tube. With this vertical tube he manage to lower the growbed back to original height with siphon working without problem as in picture below.

This next picture is another variation of same, but at individual growbed.

What happen in his set up with longer return pipes, water trapped within this pipe will cause additional suction and back pressure which will cause sustain flow (equilibrium flow) also water velocity would be slower due to this longer tube.

Raising the growbed higher, helps by providing additional momentum to water due to the longer vertical. This would help overcome back pressure and increase water flow in the tube hence restoring siphon function.

Having a breather in a long tube effectively the best option, what happen is the longer tube is broken into shorter length at that breather point, so effectively the siphon horizontal outlet is shorten. This also introduce air into the tube eliminating water back pressure. The longer tube need to be of a bigger diameter to accommodate water volume gushing from the growbed.

Thanks Paul for sharing this information and if anyone have same situation, this is one way to address it.

First Set SOLD - Home Tilapia Breeder Kit

2011-01-22T15:05:00.005+08:00

Made a set today, first one for sale, base from my home kit.

I will need to make it smaller on the bottom fish tank, utilizing same size plastic tub. The inner tub is for growbed, next unit will be using this size upper and lower making it smaller and cheaper overall.

The set above have provision for nursery tank.

Time Out - Uke :)

2011-01-17T23:50:00.000+08:00

Took the kids to an Ukulele place for some new soprano string.

Cool "small guitar" that what he said...

Mostly Hawaiian brand... must go to Hawaii.. to get a good one, a Tenor suit me fine.

These are rare over here in Malaysia.

Nothing in Particular - General Update

2011-01-15T11:09:00.003+08:00

One Tilapia missing. It was eight, today only seven left. Need to investigate what happen, I don't think cats will take fish in water. Previous batch survive and none was missing.

One possibility it could jump out of water to get away from the dominant male.

Herbs in this setup slowly progressing, not to expect much since it still very new.

Those algae you can see above was due to high water level in growbed. Initial stage of growbed conditioning I purposely set water to be higher than gravel, then after about 1 week I will adjust it back to one inch below by replacing siphon stand pipe extender with a shorter tube. In photo below you could see the very long extender besides the siphon.

Progress is slow initially, I intent to make this into herb growbed.

Last few Cherry Tomatoes, I'll be removing it this week to set for new plants.

Over ripe Tomatoes for seeds.

Asparagus Update - 15th Jan 2011

2011-01-15T09:59:00.008+08:00

Its growing, but I don't know whether its doing well or not since I never done this before.

Its very fragile and flimsy, new shoots growing from initial one and I may need to add gravel to make growbed higher.

Some of the shoots are whitish in colour, could be due to over sun. I'll try to provide shade since now most of Cherry Tomatoes plants are no more in the growbed. Water PH may also need to be check, it maybe high and and lacking Iron, probably time for Guinness again.

Its going to be a very long trial, those wooden beam under this growbed may not last that long. This need to be look at before its too late.

Above, Chilli and Kaffir Lime temporarily occupying this growbed. This chilli plant is showing yellowish leaves too.. so I need to check water PH so that Iron can be absorbed by the plants easier.

Update : 4th Feb 2011