Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey Guys

I am just setting up my new AP system and thinking through some airaation options..

My system is setup as a flood and drain but am going to be adding some addition airation, these are the options i was looking at:

1. Having a 240v air pump with air stones and then having a couple of battery operated airpumps incase of a power outage, which would be good but means we would have to be home to go and connect the battery operated air pumps at this time.

2. Looking at a AC/DC air pump which has a battery and is always kept charged and when the power is cut via the AC power source the DC power source cuts in and can run for between 6 and 10hrs on its battery power.

3. Look for a small solar panel which constantly charges a battery and have a DC airpump running from the battery, this could be ok through the summer months but may not be the best during the winter months as I am in Melbourne Australia so not the sunniest during the winter months, hahaha.

Options? have a missed an option which is better?

Input is appreciated.

One option that is close to one and two is to get an air pump and a battery backup system for a PC. It might be easier to source one of those than an air pump with a battery in it. That could theoretically be moved over to a solar charging system later?

Thanks, i never thought a UPS system.... might have to look into this a little.

Although those AC/DC airpumps are reasonably easy to come buy, check out fleebay, and there is a few listed there, mainly used in aquarium setups but function the same way.

I doubt those little pumps put out much air. How big is your tank?

tank size is 1000ltr

What is the pump you are looking at? Do you have a link?

we use a resun acdc air pump it does fine for my system and is what BYAP sell with their systems so must be good enough

havent definately decided on a model, but somethign like this http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Aquarium-Fis ... 3f0cc4371b

Thanks i was checking that one out, but i couldnt fins the stats on output wattage etc , might have to google it.

it's 10w and 5L per minute

2lt per min is nothing. To tell you my opinion, I think that pump is a waste of money, unless you have a very small tank, and you don't. I am willing to bet it wont even pump air to the bottom of the 1000lt tank.

Sorry who was this aimed at?

The ebay link i sent was 2 outlet @ 4l/min and the resun was 5l/min?

Anyways I get you point, they are pretty small, so will have to think about this a little more, i do like the option of either the UPS or running a solar panel to charge a battery and then running the pump from that, but will have to look into it a little more i think.

Those recargable battery backup units are fine for emergency power out situations... and typically will last for 10 hours...

They don't put out a lot of air... but enough... I've had a client keep 50 x 200gm trout alive all night with one...

And they will pump air down to about 700mm without a problem...

But I'd go for the 240v air pump.. and the rechargeable battery backup air pump option.. always...

Do you need to pump air to the bottom of the tank? I thought most oxygen exchange took place at the surface?

Also, if you are drawing water from the bottom of your tank with your pump and returning it from your growbed to the top of your tank you are circulating your water and (hopefully) drawing oxygen rich water to the bottom of your tank.

*I say hopefully as I am not an expert but my system is configured as above and had no trouble growing 100 trout in there what so ever.

Hey Arbe,

Well i wasnt sure if i needed an airpump at all, the system i got was supplied with apparently everything i need for the system, HOWEVER, i have asked the question if the system is setup for flood and drain if there was the need for an additional air source to which almost everyone answered......YES.

SO i think i am going to err on the side of caution and get an airpump as well for that additional airation just to be sure.