Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In my eyes having an aquaponics system tied to the grid is still defeating the purpose.
I mean if we don't want to depend on big industry for food production why should we rely on big industry for energy?
Recently Hurricane Tomas passed close to my island and the power was out for two days (the longest ever. in my lifetime) but we only got a "brush" if there was massive destruction to the grid I can see it would take much more time to get it up and running again.

In emergency cases like that I don't want to be with out my aquaponic system therefore I want to convert one of my systems to solar.

I got a 1000g system running on a 1000gph pump.

First I wanted to use a solar pump the type used for watering animals from wells out in the middle of no where those use Dc pumps wired directly to the solar panel to cut out all the eletrical components but this also means the pump's output is directly related to the amount of sun, as in that the brighter the sum the higher the water flow, and on rainy days or night time I will have no water flow at all.

That's not what is required for aquaponics we need constant, continuous flow.

So I figured I will get this "solar kit" from home depot and add another 40W panel to bring it to 200W as the pump is also 160W.

I am assuming that I have to add a battery of some choice to back up for about 2days. Not sure what size battery to get and what other eletrical components are necessary.

I will need some help with this, so as always I come to you guys for direction. Has anyone taken their system off grid?

Going solar seams like the natural progression for aquaponics to me.


HERE IS THE KIT
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/electrical ... 83100.html

THE PUMP is the Little Giant PES-1000-PW Mag Drive Pond Pump, 1000 GPH (566722) Features:
• Usages: circulating ponds up to 1200 gallons, fountain nozzle, or biological filter
• Designed to operate continuously with minimal energy consumption
• Accepts 1" ID tubing
• Corrosion resistant body designed for submersible use
• Maximum Pumping Height 16'
• 1" Barbed Discharge
• Ceramic Shaft for Longer Life
• 3 Year Warranty

Little Giant PES-1000-PW Mag Drive Pond Pump, 1000 GPH (566722) Specifications:
• Title Mag Drive Pond Pump, 1000 GPH
• Item Number 566722
• Model Number PES-1000-PW
• Flow 1400 GPH @ 1'
• Cord Length 15'
• Shut Off 16'
• Voltage 120
• Hertz 60
• Amps 2
• Watts 160
• Weight 8.7
• Height 5.3
• Width 5
• Length 7.7

Try reading through the first page of this thread for starters.
Solar power

It can be done but you will need a lot more than 200w of panel. That is peak production when the sun,panel angles etc are spot on.

Thanks I just read the thread
Can you tell me what's the right size battery for this pump?