Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am thinking about a second pump ...

Two pump system.

My idea is about using a normal BYAP system with growbeds working off one large pump that runs 15 mins on and one hour off and feeds the GB's.

No change to the above flood and drain system that works beautifully.


But I am advocating the addition of a secondary circuit that runs only 4 times per day at low volume and flow.


My idea is really about adding a smaller duty pump (correctly sized for flowrate and head) from the pond to draw off nutrient laden water from the pond maybe only 4 times per day (big energy savings!) in the summer to a header tank that can overflow via gravity back to the pond in a 4 x 15 min fill.

As the header tank fills and overflows back to the pond, individual small bore outlets in the header tank can use gravity to feed water to several pots sitting on top of tall white buckets.

The pots could contain hungry tomatoes in coco-peat and the white buckets are simply containers set up to redirect drainage back to the pond. Bottom outlet from each white bucket drains into a communal drain pipe .. which is directed back to pond.

One tomato plant per pot per bucket.

The advantages are

… low frequency of watering the secondary circuit. onlly 15 mins twice a day.

…. When the header tank is full it has a minimal effect on volume of water in the pond.

….. Maybe … some plants react positively to a little mild stress regards intermittent water deprivation.

I have a tiny tote box system doing this at the moment. It works ..

I have to modify the flow distrribution system a little ... BUT

I can't wait to scale up a little...

I forgot to mention ... Doh!

The header tank could be filled optionally with expanded clay balls / scoria or layers of shadecloth for additional promotion of bacteria growth / solids filtration.

Alternatively shell grit could be used as a filter and for pH buffering at the same time for fish such as Tilapia or other Malawi's that thrive in high pH

and .. if necessary you could always add small bubbler into the header tank to boost dissolved oxygen a little for the plants if need be..

I think that if the plants are on a 4 per day watering cycle they won't need the bubbler..