Vermiponics - Fish, Plants, and Worms

[aquaponicpaw]

Here's a good source for worms for those who are thinking about doing an indoor setup:http://www.gardenworms.com/composting-worms-c-6.html

and here is the video that kind of cemented the deal for me. I've been doing AP outdoors. But lately I've been super interested in setting up an inodor Unit. and of course worms are a vital part of it. or as Murray says...

http://youtu.be/dGxoBpUfSOM


Notice how the worms fight to get back down in the water.

Not sure if I'm embedding right. If it doesn't show will someone assist?

 

[Rivermud]

[video=youtube_share;dGxoBpUfSOM]http://youtu.be/dGxoBpUfSOM[/video]

Just wanted to link it as a video, thanks for the links.

 

[Zari]

Well after some reading and not being able to sleep. I realized that doing the system how I first thought to do it would constantly lower and raise the level in the pond which I don't like the Idea of with my turtles having to get out and bask and such. So I think I'm gonna do it with a sump tank. like so.
I'll do some tests with just a 55gallon tank but I don't think it alone will have enough volume so if that's the case Ill use a 38gallon next to it. Thoughts?

 

[Rivermud]

it's a good idea, it's called CHIFT PIST in AP, they get fancy with acronyms all the time.. Constant Height in Fish Tank, Pump in Sump Tank. They set the grow bed lower than the tank and gravity feed the grow bed.. however for what we are doing you have the right idea. It should work fine. Just use a U tube to link both sump tanks. Remember though, the sihpon created by the bell siphon may outwork your lone overflow. I would add a second overflow if for nothing else, redundancy.

 

[Zari]

So many acronyms lol. I will do 2 over flows then just for extra draining power just in case. I already have a spare 55 gallon for this too. Its missing its center brace but Ill just build a 2x4 one like I had over it before when it was set up for my old step dads turtles. Tho this time I'll kiltz it so it doesn't start to mold and I'll have a bit on hand since I plan to do all the outside wood in kiltz just cuz I know I'll make a mess =).
Also lighting Are just plain shop lights fine nothing special? Should I do 1 row of 2 4ft lights or 2 rows of 2 4ft lights? Haven't seen to much in the little reading I've done on that Backyard Aquaponics forum about indoor systems. The few I have seen were by a window and that doesn't help me much.

 

[Rivermud]

5600 K should be good for lighting. I use shop lights myself. I just noticed that you had your bell sihpons return going below the water level of the tank. If you do this the siphon will not work. Not enough air can be introduced to the system via the air break on the bell siphon. Trust me I have tried. The only way to do it is to buld a setup similar to what this guy has, otherwise you must have the return above the water in order to break the siphon.

[video=youtube;kJU3j1WUVTk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJU3j1WUVTk[/video]

 

[Zari]

I think it might just be easier to cut it off before the water and have it go down some slate like a small water fall to reduce noise. Thank you for saving me some future issues.

 

[Rivermud]

Another quick vid to help people visualize how it works.
[video=youtube_share;fCL68ETB_nM]http://youtu.be/fCL68ETB_nM[/video]

 

[Zari]

Embedding is disabled on that, but yeah I get that part tho I guarantee I'll be testing my parameters like crazy the first couple months. Gonna feel weird not doing a water change.

 

[Rivermud]

I think it might just be easier to cut it off before the water and have it go down some slate like a small water fall to reduce noise. Thank you for saving me some future issues.

No problem, the main issue you will have is dampening the gurgle from the siphon break. Using a large diameter hoseto help introduce air as well as keeping the return pipe short will help break the siphon faster and quiet it down.



Notive how they add teh tube to the bell and run it down to where the water break is? The large that hose the more air that can get into the bell and break the siphon. The size of your bell will also determine the rate at which the siphon begins and ends.