Above the Tavern with Parka!

[Parka]

Just a quick mention! I got the trickle filter hooked up and running but I realized I need to make two changes . One, I need to raise the jug about three inches because it is sitting at the same level as the gutter and so I want the discharge tube to be at or near the top of the gutter, second, I want to make a void at the bottom of the jug because I'm concerned a smaller chunk of lava rock could block the drain and then the jug could possibly overflow and empty the tank!

Because for a few moments, the drain tube stopped and the jug got about half full before it started flowing again, so yes, I will make those changes and then get RIGHT after the Gutter set-up! The Akron Project will most likely be completed today, HOORAY for the Hard Working Akron!

I used a kitchen faucet for the Trickle Filter! About four years ago I was shopping for a new faucet and I ordered the one shown here, very inexpensive at 75 dollars but I canceled the order and bought a Delta brand instead and then about SIX whole months later, the cheapo one got delivered to me at NO cost!






Here's my garden bed. In about ten days I will harvest radishes! And then plant warm season main crop.

 

[Parka]

The Gutter/Houseplant Filter was unsuccessful. It wouldn't drain and it filled up and swelled out some and so I will figure it out later. I was watching the gutter fill up and I was all Giddy and then I noticed the water level in the tank was dropping, CRAP! Anyway, the Trickle Filter works great so yeah, this is all part of the Hobby Life, even a Severe Braggart gotta take some lumps on occasion, Good Evening!

 

[Parka]

In my last post I forgot to mention that because the gutter was not draining, instead it was overflowing somewhere in the center and I had a waterfall behind the tank, maybe 5, ten gallons spilled out... It should be an easy fix to get it to drain properly at a rate where maybe one inch of water rise inside the gutter.

The thing is, since my physical abilities are limited on account of Chronic Clumsiness, the work is beating me up and I'm all sore allover! I need a robot helper!

 

[Parka]

I got it working right, the Gutter/Houseplant Filter! I put the drain lower, I put it the very bottom of the gutter and pushed the drain tube up about 1" . I also used a 1/2" drain tube, the first one was 3/8". Anyway I will Brag it up Later, I gotta go to the Garden...

 

[Sassafras]

Master of recycle, reuse, alternate use and frugality in general, DOGE would be proud.

That drain hose on the gutter/plant filter is a little scary. Vinyl hose has failed me too many times by pinching shut. Worse comes to worse you could elevate the gutter a little and hard pipe a 1" PVC drain. That hydroponics media will absorb water over time and become less buoyant. Great concept and I'm confident you'll make it work.

 

[Sassafras]

Parka, Parka, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With turnip greens, onions and beans
And pretty maids all in a row.

What a minute! Where are those "pretty maids"?

 

[Parka]

My Pretty MERmaids have been brought back home to the Hard Working Akron!

See for yourself:

 

[Parka]

 

[Parka]

I still have to set rock formations before I can brag it up, however, I can confirm that My Gloat Compartment is stuffed full, Good Evening!

 

[Parka]

It's been a week since I put my Goldfish in the Akron with the new trickle and plant filter, everything is looking really good. It still needs to clear up a tiny bit more but when that water gets crystal clear, there is no mistaking it. I set the Akron up with elements from the Cleveland, a big mass of Java Moss, some large pieces of bio loaded wood and some rocks coated with bio and algae. Also, all the lava rock under the gravel was kept wet and I like to believe that it was still holding some active bacteria, but anyway, it seems like it worked. Like the tank is already cycled, or at least partially there...

When I filled it, I filled it half-way with water from the Cleveland and then I topped off the Cleveland with fresh tap water and then the next day I finished filling the Akron from the Cleveland again. The reason I did it that way was so my houseplants would have nutrients right now. I'm hoping to have a jungle growing above my tank before too long!

Pictures:

Here's a hideaway spot!




Here's the plants after a week in service, looking healthy!





And here is a look at the nitrates at set-up a week ago and today, they look about the same to me, maybe 30ppm?