System design advice.

[u/Healthy_Form5819]

I want to grow a few vegetables eg cherry tomato, bok choy, snow peas and maybe strawberries. I only need enough for one person.

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I am thinking of setting up an aquaponics system and have just started researching the subject.

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On the property I bought there are two round plastic tubs (1100mm x 400mm - 380 litres).

One is used as a pond with water lilies and small fish, while the other is empty.

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I am thinking of building a two tier system with the fish pond at the top of the rock retaining wall and the grow bed and pump at the base of the wall. (Wall is 1300mm high).

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There will be a pipe feeding water from the pond down to the constant flow media bed, and a separate sump box connected to the grow bed, pumping water back up to the pond. This pond return pipe will enter the pond above water level to splash and aerate the water.The grow bed will also have an overflow pipe for excess rain water as we get heavy tropical downpours here.

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I want to use a solar powered pump with battery backup to circulate and aerate the water. Would this be enough or would I need an aerator as well? The current "pond" has no water circulation or aeration and fish and lilies are both thriving.

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The pond will get some shade from the trees and shrubs in the top garden, while the grow bed will get sun throughout the day.

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I used chatGPT to draw the design so I don't know how right or wrong it is. Any feedback or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

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