So what are the differences ?
CRAFTS - Constant Return Aquaponics Feeder Tank System make use of Growbed over the fish tank method that some may say an obsolete system. "Growbed over Tank" is a proven simple system and there are still life left in this system in the form of modular CRAFTS.
This system make use of Return Tank which is under each Growbed and over flowing into a common Feeder Tank which then feeds water to Growbed using pumps.
One or more pumps can be use depending on water feed requirement. Pump don't need to be anything special, a simple pump will do. No requirement for float switch activated pump.
CRAFTS multiply in modular Node, each Node comprise of Growbeds over a Return Tank which in turn over flowing into a common centralize Feeder. Water volume will increase as more Nodes is added.
In CRAFTS each Nodes can house different fish species or it can be use as Nursery or Breeder Tank.
CHOPS - Constant Height One Pump System it also was called CHFT PIST which make use of growbed over a sump tank and a higher Fish Tank that gravity feed water onto Growbeds.
The taller fish tank in CHOPS will ensure enough water head available for growbed and an over-flow will ensure Constant height of water in this tank. It make use of one pump located in the sump tank and for safety reason it must be of the float activated type, just in case the sump is low in water.
All water is within this taller fish tank and it will need to take into account of number of growbed needed to be feed. Expansion of system is possible by adding more growbed and increasing the fish tank size if its not able to accommodate water requirement.
Growbed which are further away from sump tank may need its own sump but that will no longer be a One pump operation.
Above are some of the difference between CRAFTS and CHOPS both this system will have constant level of fish tank water making it better for fish in reducing water fluctuation stress.
Usage of either system will be dependent on individual preference and space availability. Installation that is not subjected to space constrain and planned ahead CHOPS can be use, if a modular approach is important give CRAFTS a go.
In all, both these system add to more ways we can practice Aquaponics and its suitability will depend on individual installation requirements.
First Part : Here
Before I can safely put fish and proceed with planting on CRAFTS installation, I must make sure it can hold during double flush. Fish tank is only 100 gallon so I make use maximum as possible water volume, if bigger tank were use this is not that critical.
Above shows water at the rim of tank during double flushing, this is very critical. Overflow used is 40 mm and before stepping up to 50 mm I best try to increase water flow.
I am trying this as below photo on the over flow instead of normal (top photo) over flow to try and increase flow. This will increase once the downward facing elbow is fully covered with water.
This after install.
Water overflow increase in its flow rate, as water reaches the downward scoop and its stop once the elbow is uncovered, retaining water level at same height as over flow pipe.
I need to further refine this outlet since, this will over flow surface water, I prefer lower level water being overflow into feeder.
I throw in few Tilapias in this Return tank to keep mosquito at bay, and once I am satisfied that its safe I'll transfer the bigger Tilapia in here and I can get fresh batch of fingerlings to increase stocking density.
Some free time today and decide to go ahead install additional fish tank to start off CRAFTS and test it. This is the first time I done this and more of a trial run and may need adjustment to its installation.
Few installation previously on multiple tank I use "Water Bridge" however using "bridge" will cause water in all tank to follow "up and down" of main tank. This time I want a constant water level in tank just like CHOPS, but done differently.
Right most growbed is the one I need to remove and decide to pull out all plants from this bed. Kailan, Kankong and Strawberry plant out for safe keep.
Next hydroton need to be transferred to a temporary holding tank.
Trying out fish tank and thank god existing rack don't need any alteration. It fit, slight shoe horn required but it fit.
Roughly this is how its should be, no increase to area but increase to fish tank water volume. CRAFTS is modular and expand as you goes and maintain as compact as possible.
On Return tank I need to make an overflow, this I am using 40 mm tank bulkhead adapter. I hope its sufficient, otherwise I will need to go one step up to 50 mm.
It's for water overflowing from return tank to feeder tank, taking into consideration at maximum flow rate from at least 2 siphon doing simultaneous flush.
Existing tank turning it into Feeder need to make a hole, this is 54 mm hole to accommodate 40 mm PVC overflow pipe.
That when all coupled together.
Return tank has 40 mm Tank bulkhead coupling, Feeder tank has a hole to accommodate 40 mm pipe, this to ensure some play in the coupling.
The 40 mm tank adapter above and filling up the Return tank to full.
Below, fulled Return tank with one growbed flushing and overflowing into Feeder Tank. Water in Return tank is always at this level, slight changes due it may not able to drain that fast if two siphon works simultaneously.
Below the completed CRAFTS components with Return Tank and two growbed draining into it.
Two growbed simultaneous flush test, this need to not spill anything except overflowing to Feeder Tank. Water level very close to rim, I need to monitor and run this Return tank without any fish for few days.
If any adjustment needed to be done is that 40 mm coupling is the one to be redo.
Completed above, work required not that much since from start its being planned to accommodate so as mentioned a modular concept to Aquaponics. This increase fish tank volume by 100 gallon without increase to system foot print.
There is provision for another Fish tank on left and a growbed but still maintain same foot print. I'll be monitoring this closely and make necessary changes to ensure its can be made by others without any problem.
Continue : Here
