Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yep.

Less volts = more amps = thicker wire.

Thanks OBO, how come you know about USA wiring?

Getting back on topic that means, 2 phase over there is easily split and Johnny has only to decide on the pump

What do they have a fricken special ohms law over there?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm%27s_law

Side note. If you have a main pipe running to your GB's would having 2 pumps feeding it be better. Eg 2 x 3000lph pumps. If one fails the system would still work or at least the gb's will stay flooded but it would be easier to see. Eg all the outlets running a smaller flow.

Sorry for the tone of my post - If there was an edit button I would change it... I had just knocked my beer over

"What do they have a fricken special ohms law over there?"

Suppose not, however I don't understand why you run less volts and more amps, with obviously more cost, to achieve the same result, as we do.

Their americans - they dont need an excuse

+1
2 pumps = more safety,
(but more important for the fish as growbeds are a bit more tolerant)

and the added possibility of timing flooding of growbeds differently

frank

now to find a good pump. dad was master plumber but he did not impart any pump wisdom upon me.

i am thinking an external has longer life but for my simple system i suppose any pump that will move enough water on timer to flood the beds will be sufficient 1000gallon ft 1000 gallon GB

back on topic as much as im able

danner mag drive

115v 350gph has prefilter

purchase late 2002
still running and has not been treated very well

that is a million dollar question
I have calculated most of the pumps we normally use to be deplorably energy inefficient
see the pump efficiency calculator on:
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... or#p155256

internal and external pumps don't differ much in reliability
what you must keep in mind is that the wasted energy is mostly transformed in heat
so all pumps and motors must be cooled

if you want to take advantage of this, use a submerged pump as water cooling is more efficient than air cooling
so pump life is likely to benefit from this
and the heat will go into the water where you want it

but if you want your water to stay cold, use an external one

connecting and servicing a submerged pump is simpler than an exterior one: no valves nor couplings needed, just a piece of flexible hose

pull out the plug, pull out the pump and you have access to it

frank

Depending on the style of system you have, if you have a pump in your fish tank, then there is a reason to aim at one larger pump rather than multiple smaller pumps, solids removal.

With small pumps pumping low volumes, generally they don't have the ability to move solids..

Of course this is very relative to scale.

Johnny - aim for at least a 1000gph pump, preferably a submersible vortex type. These are the most efficient pumps we have available, until franks propellor pumps become common.

would like to see the data of your vortex pump, OBO

frank

http://www.rockaroundtheblock.com.au/product.asp?pID=328&cID=63

And no - I dont need to be told its not efficient - you show me a better pump that I can buy.

Interesting link http://www.pump-demo.com/free.html