Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

After running our system for a bit, I think I would like to switch to using DC/Solar power to run the pumps, etc.

I've spent 2 days reading threads trying to determine what would be a decent pump. There's so much info available that is contradicting that it makes it almost impossible to make a good, informed decision.

Anyways...

I am looking to get opinions on this pump:

http://www.amazon.com/ZKSJ-Brushless-Centrifugal-Submersible-DC40E-1250/dp/B00C6XNB50/ref=pd_sbs_lg_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1E41XN5GKA4RWGA40EAM

I would probably run 3 of them for redundancy and to make sure we have enough flow.

Our system has been expanded quite a bit over the past 3 months (I need to update my build thread).

FT: 1000L IBC (currently around 50 goldfish)
Sumps: Two 750L partially buried IBCs (connected)
Beds: Four 1/3 IBC beds, Four half barels

Currently run using a 2864 GPH sump pump (overkill) flood and drained on a timer 15/45.

The head is 6 Feet.

My current plan is to put in 3 100W solar panels to 3 deep cycle batteries with the appropriate charge controller, etc. This is obviously more than needed, but in the Seattle area we have lots of cloudy days. I'm hoping that the 3 panels will be enough to keep up with the drain from the system.

In addition to the water pumps, I do plan on adding at least one 12/24 volt air pump and LED lighting to the greenhouse.

Based on the water volume in the system and head height, do you think a set of these little pumps would work?

Hi Taco,

Cannot really comment as I am in the same boat - hence found this post :-).

I am trying some 12v small bilge pumps that I located.

But mainly for a small system/s where I am currently running electric pond pumps (plural - 1 for each bed) of 300-400 L/hour with 1.5m head - sorry metric over here in Oz

Not sure what the bilge pumps will do or how long before they burn out, but will let know.

I am thinking a selection of small pumps is better than single large one - as that tends to keep solar and plumbing cost down as well. But then I have small systems spread around limited space between house-perimeter fence, not like some of the large ones on this forum.

on AC I use with timer switch - so that is area I am researching at moment, else I may get a electronic mate to look at doing something with a microprocessor and maybe that can manage voltage as well.

Battery seems to be the key issue, even with a small low draw pump.

I have a solar system with a bilge pump viewtopic.php?f=45&t=23051

I've used that pump you're looking at. I found it to be decently strong until the day it overheated. I was running it externally, with an intake hose going up and over the rim of the fish tank - and one day it got an air bubble in the line, and by the time I noticed the pump had overheated and melted interior parts so it no longer ran.

I also have some of the smaller version of that pump set-up with a flooded suction - i.e. a pipe through the wall of the tank. They have worked perfectly for a little over a year now.

wouldn't use a pump with oil in it to pump water to my fish or food, in case of leakage, but that's me

Just curious; why are people running such high head? Ok I could understand if you were on a steeply sloped block but its still not a terribly efficient way to run a system.

1.5 or 1.8m isn't really that high a head, I have 5m head in my big system... but it is on a steep slope, and there wasn't any choice in the location of the various components. However I do agree, there is no point pumping water higher than is necessary.