Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,

I am having problems with my aapw 1000 pumps on a timer. I have three of these pumps. I am basically using a CHOP 2 system and instead of using an indexing valve to increase more grow space I am using the additional pumps with a timer. The pumps are failing somewhere in the circuitry. They will run at full flow one cycle, then half flow the next, and then full flow again in this pattern. I could program the timer to take into account this failure, however, I am concerned that this isn't the long term fix. I am having this problem with two of the pumps so I am assuming it is an issue with the pumps being run intermittently. Does anyone have a pump they've tested running on a timer that they can recommend? or any other recommendations? All advice would be much appreciated.

I've had no problems running Pondmax, Davey, Waveline DC, Universal Pump and Calvi pumps on timers

Doesn't make a any sense that the flow would very.

is this the pump you are using? https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/AAPW1000

There is nothing special about the pump.

What sort of timer are you using?

Thank you gunagulla. I will start looking into them.

Brian those are the pumps I'm using. I have multiple circuts in the greenhouse and they each failed on a different circuit so I know it's not my power source. I'm using a Neptune Apex designed for aquariums. So far I have had great luck with it. I have my fans, evaporative cooler, heaters, etc programmed through it. My peak power usage has been 6.5 amps. I don't think that would affect it.

Which controller are you using?

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquarium- ... llers.html

Just having a quick look I see they have soft start/ramp up on the pump circuit.

Just reading again, you are running three pumps, two have the issue. What is the current draw on the name plate of the pump. The Neptune Apex 8 units only have two circuits rated at 10 amps, rest are 5 amps.

I would suggest as a quick check, buy a cheap peg timer and see if it does the same thing.

Just reading again, you are running three pumps, two have the issue. What is the current draw on the name plate of the pump. The Neptune Apex 8 units only have two circuits rated at 10 amps, rest are 5 amps.

Can I get to look at your dashboard please?

I apologize for not responding in a timely fashion. Things seemed to all hit at once. The pumps were drawing between 1.2-1.4 amps. I ended up trying a peg timer and the same problem occurred. I installed a flotech, everlast, and little giant on Wednesday. Figured I'd see which one lasts the longest. So far not a problem with any of them.

Brian I using the standard apex not the Jr.

Damian, I'd be happy to show you the dashboard. Are you looking for access to view my system or a screenshot? Have you been working with the apex?

Good to see you got it sorted.

Nice looking controllers for the price.

I would like to sign in and view your dashboard i believe you could set it up in such a way that i can view but not alter. i want to buy a Apex but just want to see how it works and if it is a good fit for my purposes. i want to controll 10 pumps 10 fish feeders and view 15 cameras. and have 2 sets of probes.

what probes are you using?