Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am in the market for a decent pump for my FT as I bought a $20 one on ebay to get me started but it only pumps around 75L in the 15 mins it runs for. I am also now after an air pump to oxygenate my FT.

What sort of pump should I be looking at for my FT? Should I be looking to circulate the amount in the tank every hour i.e. 2400L/h capacity?

Can I convert my current pump into a spray bar to aerate the water?

You need to look at the vertical distance you are trying to pump the water (head) and find a pump that will pump that much per hour.
If you intend to do 15min on/45 min off, you'll need to multiply that by 4.
Most pump boxes have a graph on the box showing that info.

Yeah, aim for a pump that turns over your tank volume (at the head height of your system... once per hour...

If it's stronger than your grow beds allow... you can also always divert some flow back to the tank via a spray bar.... or use the old small pump with a spray bar...

Buy a two outlet battery backup air pumps as well though... talk to Joel at BYAP...

Cheers Rupe. I've calculated that my GB takes about 70L of water before the siphon kicks in. How will I know if it is stronger than my grow beds allow?

You are running a siphon and a timer?

I am arbe

Generally people have one or the other....

Then you could do away with the siphon altogether and just have a stand pipe.
Some people love them, but I think the general consensus is that they are a PITA.

If your GB is only taking 70L you will need to pump 9 times in an hour, I would have thought with a 300L bed it should take around 120L, depends on the media though of course.

Any thoughts on this pump guys?http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/85w-Multi-Use-Fish-Pond-Tank-Submersible-Water-Pump-Filter-3000L-H-Aquarium-/220868524475?pt=AU_Pet_Supplies&hash=item336cca39bb

Looks to be the same as this.... http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.com.a ... _1751.html

The first thought I had was: yes the pump is cheap, but 85w for 3000 litres per hour.

There are pumps out there which pump more water for less watts (or a more expensive purchase price for the same volume with less power usage) - may want to do some calculations to see which one works out cheaper.

For example.

Pump 1, 85w, 3000 lph - 0.4284c per day, purchase price $40
Pump 2, 35w, 3000 lph - 0.1764c per day, purchase price $159

Pump 2 is cheaper at about day 335 - assuming 0.21c per kWh and running 24x7.

I like the "Inline" or "submersed" option of that pump, most are one or the other, opens up your options for expansion (and there will always be expansion )