Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Could someone please recommend an air pump for a 410 gallon tank with 4 outlets. I am supporting 2- 210 gallon growbeds.
Also need airstones. Not sure what to buy.
Thanks

There are many variables, including depth of water, average temps, stocking densities, filtration (growbeds in this case). No one right answer, what works at a certain load and temp may not work when you have more fish at a higher temp. You may get some aeration from splashing water caused by the water pump. I would always try to add a little more than you think you need, things happen. In the end it depends how much you want to spend on an airpump.
That's my opinion.

I am also looking to buy an air pump, figured I'd try what TC posted she uses from AquaticEco, although almost everything on there seems overpriced to me. Had looked at an air pump through EBay but shipping was going to be more than the pump (from Thailand, pumps are heavy).

So, maybe someone could post links to pumps to look at? Not necessarily saying to get that one, but to give some recommendations? I would love to be told that I can just get a pet store aquarium pump to grow trout in a 400 gallon pond, rather than blowing 1/3 of my budget on a $250 air pump...

You at least need to know or estimate:
-max pounds of fish
-water depth
-max water temp

Always calculate your air needs first, then pick a pump that best suits your needs. Id also throw out the age old saying: you get what you pay for...go with something cheapo, probablilties of failures go up.

has anyone tried to make a wind mill powered air pump
Ive seen them they are made from truck suspension rubbers on a crank of a wind mill

http://www.clearwaterlakesandponds.com. ... l_aerators

hoping someone will come up with some plans to build one

What happens when it's not windy?
sORRY mR fISH , NO BREATHING TODAY:)
Unless , of cause , you live in Windy Wellington.

Exactly . What you do is run the Windmill to a battery station, then hook your air pump to that.

Ok no worries ..... It;s just me seeing a $45.00 plug in air-pump with battery back-up as so much cheaper and easier,.......... but that's just me.

Well yeah but look at how much air that pump puts out and how long it will stay on. Small situations sure but those are made for fish tanks. Windmill would be for a bit bigger set up.

For bigger set-ups the norm is floating paddles wheels or u-tube sets ups , well that is what I use on my 2,000 square metre ponds.

OOPS typo ,, 20,000 square metre

I thought they were talking about off grid back up aeration... You got those paddlewheels running on solar or something? lol

Subject heading is Aerators and airstones.
No i certainly would not waste money on an off gride set-up when that money could be used to help feed and house my workers

I understand that but I was refering to Snags post.

He mentions windmills
You say what if there is no air
I say go to a battery
You say use a small battery airpump instead of having the fuss
I say yeah, but only small scale
You jump to large scale uses paddlewheels
I say we were talking about backup/off grid which is what windmill AND your battery back up air pump are (the subjects of the conversation)
You say this is the aerators/airstones thread

Do you not see the disconect? Everything doesnt need to be a debate. I was simply saying there is a work around if there is no wind. Good lord.

No worries , no debate.
Continue on with wind mills.

May you have a breezy day:)