Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Why do you say its more reliable? and less expensive to run? Just curious

I didn't . I said IF it works reliably....

The expense part was an assumption that the air pump would use less energy to get the job done. I based this on the Low Energy Aquaponics Systems (LEAP) that people were working on at one point. The LEAP systems used airlift pumps similar to this. Whether your pump will save money really depends on comparing the cost to pump equivalent amounts of water so it might not be in your case. Considering the type of pump I saw in the pictures I'm probably wrong about this but it should have a wattage on it so you can check.

I looked it up and it uses 35watts, not sure what a pond pump uses as im not sure which ones to look at. Once i get the system all set up for the most part, it also came with a solar panel and some gizmos I have to look at. This will all be ran off the solar panel once i figure out how to hook all that up as well.

You can easily find a water pump in that range and it will probably pump more than your existing pump and have lower wattage. Maybe I'm missing something with using an air pump . Have a look for airlift and LEAP on BYAP (maybe combine with Solar in the search). I didn't pay super close attention to the LEAP thread at the time and it's been awhile so I don't remember what the rationale was - I though it was cost to run but maybe I'm mistaken .

Can you guys point me in the right direction towards pond pumps, Im looking on amazon and all i see are over 150....Im searching for a solids handling pond pump....would that be right?

Lou,


I don't think most folks are using pumps that are specifically rated for solids handling. Quite often those kinds of pump are for dirty ditch water, etc. Searching for "pond pump" will find a lot of the models you see mentioned on this forum. I picked up a Rio HyperFlow 20HF and it seems like a very nice pump for the price ($60 USD.)

Try this search: Amazon Search: pond pump

Good luck!

--
Sam

LEAP was running at bugger all head which made airlifts more useful. I am running one in my GB (constant flood) as its one area it is better than a centrifugal ie a dinky little 4 or 6 watt centrifugal dosn't handle solids well.

Hi Lou,

[Sam] I don't think most folks are using pumps that are specifically rated for solids handling.
that is correct. Most/many run standard fountain type pumps with the filters etc taken off.

Your biggest issue in USA will be buying a pump that is not over powered !!
(it is too easy to buy a 1000GPH for example thinking it is better value for a few dollars more)
For your size system you really only want a 600GPH pump.
acceptable would be 550-750GPH - at top end you would have excess water (redirected back to FT).

You have a range of pumps and many cheapies (<$50) on Amazon.
Your brands in that range are not same as those in Australia...
IMO the Lugauano are good quality ones. Else people here have used Jebao etc also.

Amazon have a "Laguna Max-Flo 600 Waterfall and Filter Pump" for $89.99 (32 Watts)
http://www.lagunaponds.com/en_us/laguna ... lter-pump/
(pumps 350GPH at 1m and is rated for small pond solids)

or you could go Jebao WP-2000F Submersible 530gph, 45-watt for $25.99. (42 Watts)
In that model you take the filters and front end off and attach a PVC pipe.
(pumps 350GPH at 1m)

FountainTech 650 probably OK. And I think people have used Active Aqua before.


whatever you get make sure it is using at least a 3/4" outlet pipe (19mm)

pumps above.... your fish question below (from viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6646&start=150 - best to keep all together here)

"I have a 4x8 grow bed, so 32sqft of growing space. I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid tank....how many blue tilapia would i need? just starting my system off, thanks!"

100 Gallons ~ 400 Litres is a pretty small fish tank.
You would really only be looking at around 15-20 medium goldfish for example.
(comfortable conservative stocking)

At the top end....
FAO recommendations are 10-20kg of fish per 1000L.
400L so 4-8kg.... so you are really looking at around 15 300-500g fish.

your grow bed is 4' x 8' - presume 10' ~ 0.7m3 media (sorry metric here).
650-700L is 40L wet media / fish @ 15 - so conservative (=good).

Your fish tank will be the limiting factor. With experience you can probably stock slightly higher.
but best to start out with lower stocking levels.

I decided that I'm gonna go with the original air pump and system and see how it goes. I could always change it out later. You say my fish tank would be my limiting factor, should I use the 180 gallon tank?

no - I agree with Scotty, the Rubbermaid 100Gal is fine and evidently scoped for that system.
Your pump turnover will struggle with that volume so no point in having any more.
you definitely don't want to overstock.

Get this first one going and then you can plan for Mark-II.

worse case if things are not looking too good or PITA, then keep the air pump as an air pump,
and then get a new pump for the FT-grow bed.

** the pumps in post above will be fine in either FT.
I suspect Scotty and I would pay the bit extra and go for the 32W Laguna if you went down that path.
But many systems work fine with the lower cost pumps.

Ok yeah that make sense. How does 15 blue tilapia sound, want to try and look for 3in ones at least to get this thing going quicker. Yes I did see those pumps and looked to be the one. If it doesn't work well with this one I will upgrade.

sounds OK. Don't get them too big because your system wont be able to handle it.
they need to grow as the system grows so to speak - so need to start off a bit slower.
it will take a while for the bacteria etc to establish.

you have a catch 22 because sooner or later someone here is going to tell you that you need air.....
given you have an air pump already.... at that point may be better to buy a pond pump....

without air and a good circulating system you would not really want more than 4 or 5 fish to cycle with.
luckily Tilapia are a bit more hardy than most fish.

I think you need to read up on cycling first as that is your next big stage.
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/guide ... f-cycling/ << cycling options.
There is fishless and fish cycling methods.

Personally I don't have an issue with fish cycling and do that myself many times.
But I never put more than a few fish in my system.
You need to follow those guidelines very carefully if going with fish.

actually should really read this http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/guide ... quaponics/
in full before going much further. And each heading in the panel on the left.

Ok I guess ill have to be patient...darn....Ok my new plan is getting the tilapia fingerlings, Keeping them on the strict feeding schedule and wait it out....Thing i dont see anywhere is what to do with the water before putting the fish in there, is there anything i have to do to the water to get it ready? You say i will need air, I also have air pump for air stones, and i have two air stones..is that what you are talking about?

Ive read and reread that site a few times but i keep looking at it...Thanks again

I would rig up the air stones and make sure that pump is working. Make sure you have some water testing equipment, most people here use the API Freshwater Master Test kit. Otherwise, Don't over think it, go ahead and get your fish if you're going to cycle with the fish in system. Remember to acclimate the fish as your transfer them into your tank.

It usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to cycle but sometimes it's faster and sometimes it's slower.

Cheers

Edit: Unless you're going to grow strawberries (which are sensitive to salt), you should add 1ppt of salt (un-iodized and without caking agents) to the water in the fish tank. This helps with nitrite toxicity and also helps them with stress. Bulk bins at grocery stores are good for small quantities and pool salt in bags is another way to find this.