Anyone else using homemade systems?
I've built my second RBC and 300 gallon tank recently all thanks to Steve VanGorder's book Small Scale Aquaculture. My two systems going on three are in my basement and used for bluegill, yellow perch, and soon to be feed trained smallmouth bass for a couple of niche markets I supply.
Here is the original system complete with RBC in the fish tank and a "u-tube" siphon that gravity flows water into the bottom of the 55 gallon drum clarifer before it's pumped back to the RBC.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/CecilBaird1/RAS007.jpg
Here's the RBC after being moved to a separate tank to reduce particulates on the surface of the filter:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/CecilBaird1/IMG_9176.jpg
I also have four ponds on the property for fish production which up until recently included brook and brown trout.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a169/CecilBaird1/Aerialproperty.jpg
Can't we get this forum rolling? It would be fun to share our set ups.
considerations for the system
It is very important to consider the pH levels of the water and keep a track record of them. This will help to make sure that the system is working correctly. You should find that the levels are lower than 8.2 for those working in salt water and below 7 for those working in fresh water. You will need to check the minimum requirements needed from your system and then make sure that you are running within that.
You need to make sure that there is a type of disease control system in place. This is very important because one condition could affect everything in the business. There are a lot of different types of systems that can be in place but ultra-violet systems have been known to be the most effective and easiest to implements.
homemade systems
Cecil - It sounds like you are actually a professional. How difficult do you think it would be for a novice to maintain one just for his own use/consumption?