Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Buy the cheapest - largest guage wire you can and plug your pump into it. Then check the voltage at the pump end and the transformer end. (You can probably get a cheap multimeter for less than $10.) If the two voltages are within 5%, you are OK. If the voltage drop (voltage at the source minus voltage at the device) is minimal, you could get away with another device in parallel. If the voltage drop is too high, another cord in parallel will probably do the trick (cut the amps and voltage drop in half because each cord will have half of the current)

Another option would be a GFCI (I'm sure you've got them in Australia -- we have to use them here in the US for outdoor receptacles and bathroom outlets). I even have a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) on the plug end of an extension cord. If you could get something like that, you could run 240V out to the greenhouse.

Updates:
I've taken emsjoflo's advice and got a RCD (Residual Current Device) for safety. I've taken steves advice and got a bunnings extension cable ($19 on sale!).

I tried to work out the gauge of the wire inside, but I couldn't find the formula anywhere. It's a 25m cord rated at 10A @ 240V, surely we can work out what gauge it is from that data...

I put the back and front on my greenhouse.

I picked up the connector needed for my IBC.

Can anyone recommend a pump & float switch combo that I don't have to wire up myself? It's going in the sump.

Gem, look on the outside of the cable it should say something like 10/1.25 or something, the first number is number of strands and the second is the diameter of each strand. There is a formula for working out the gauge from there.... its in one of my books.... watch this space....

gem, remind me again which way you're going to wire this all up.

A diagram is always good.... do share please, BEFORE you do it.....

chances are if its 10A it will be 1mm2.....I think the B extension leads have the sq mm printed on the packaging....if its the "click" brand

1mm2 over here is mostly used for lighting circuits (5A) but that`s house wiring, so 1mm2 for a 10A extension cable seems to be a reasonable bet

Don`t forget that the rated current will be with it fully unwound and in the open.
If some is left coiled up, buried under something or perhaps routed through a pipe for protection it will have to be derated by a fair amount.

Gad nammit. We had some strong wind and pretty much all my plastic came off the greenhouse! Looks like the clips arn't good enough.... It could have also been that the wind got in underneath and blew it all out from the inside (because I haven't closed it in fully, there's a bout a 1m gap at the bottom) as opposed to just strong wind blowing against the plastic. I've used 50mm and 40mm pipe for the clips, but both were no good against the wind.

Does anyone know of another method? It's not very protected where it is. Should I just enclose it completely and hope the clips hold?

Using PVC for the clips...

Gemmell, we ended up tying down the whole greenhouse frame. Cyclonic winds will take anything away.
Our roof is flat and the film is held down with the locking strips I got from the manufacturer (kind of like the tracks and beading used for fly screen). We also have shadecloth over the top. The ropes go across the top of the shadecloth and hold the plastic down. Not pretty, but it works.

im going to have to put polycarbonate on my greenhouse, i dont think plastic sheet would last a week here. i get very strong wind alot.

i's say take car of the 1m hole first..............

The reason my greenhouse blew to bits was because my clips popped off. I think i've worked out why they popped off, and it has to do with how they're put on. So here is a lesson on positioning of clips:

Nice bit of detective work Gemmel.... and some very practicle advise for others .... thanks

Ahhhhhhhh, but of course.... Good thinking Gemmell..

Anotherthing that might help is to put up a little bit of a barrier on the strong wind side of things (if you have space), even if you just bang some star pickets in, attach some lattice to it, and plant a creeper at the base, a passionfruit or something.. The lattice will help break up the strong gusts, as the creeper grows over it this will help stop the wind even more, and if you water it by scooping out a bit of fish water now and then for it, the plant will grow very quickly..

Ahhhhhhhh so that's why mine don't pop off - they are on like in "how you should put them on" pic