Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm trying to use what ever parts I already have to save a few dollars . for my pump system I want to use 12v to save on elec bill plus I have a new botch 12v water pump form a car but don't know the gph and have two heavy duty 1400 gph bilge pumps I also have a 8D battery to run it and going to pick up a small solar panel to help keep change but I probably will have to use battery charger now and then.

Now is where I run into my next problem (but don't image it's my last ...LOL) the TIMER I want to run 15-20 minutes on then 35-40 minutes off but all the timers I have found are for 110v not 12v an they don't consistently kick on and off more then once per day , for example the pool timer kicks on once a day for how ever many hours. WHAT ARE YA'LL USING FOR 12V PUMP TIMERS


I am thinking the timed pump is the most important since the water flow and return will/should provide enough aeration for the fish but I am going to try adding the home depot solar aeration pump system for $39.99 it only works during the day but should also help boost fish air

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Search Ebay, I use a 240 v digital timer and they do a 12 v version. Can set them to any time. I think they are only 16 settings so I have set two up, AM/PM at 30/30 running of pump

ok thanks

You can also search ebay for 12V cyclic timer.

They are unfortunately either:
- in kit form that needs some electronic expertise to set up, or
- rather expensive




Alternatively you can use a normal 12V digital timer (also available on ebay). They are less flexible so you will need to set them up like ccBear explains.

the 12v cyclic don't seem that different there running for $13 to $45 , the 12v digital timers at east have a casing and if I can't find a more manual timer then the digital is probably what I'll order

i purchased mine from seller eshop2098, rectangular with blue buttons and a flip cover. Sorry do not know how to copy of ebay.

I can't find that seller on ebay right now but here is a link to the one I was looking at.

not sure about the links but hopefully one of these will work

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300629327093?ss ... 1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300629327093?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Maybe because I am going through ebay Australia, that is the one I was talking about

are the digital hard to set

when I used to raise quail I had several manual thremastate incubators and then bought a expensive digital and had the hardest time setting it so now any time I see "digital" it scares me

I went ahead and order it

No very easy to set, set on period then off period. Only problems was as I said earlier is the fact they only have 16 settings. 8 on and 8 off. That is why I got two to cover the 24 hours. Set one up for the period 6:00 AM to 5:59 PM and the second for the next period.

I'll be doing the same but will just use one and have a few constant flood 2 hour segments in the day (through the hottest part of the day)

I would have been fine just having it run constant but going to the on off cycling so I don't kill my battery

ditto - Mine is for a backup and I want to be able to use a 1A charger on the battery so need to bring my pumps 1.5A draw down to ~1A average. That and I can't be fagged fiddling with siphons to get them to work properly!