Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,

I'm new here but have been reading your work for a month or so. Another couple of years and i should get it all read The depth of information is very impressive.

I'm designing my first system which i'm guessing will end up very similar to EllkayBee's. In my research I came across these valves and wondered if anyone has had experience with them. They should be able to provide a mechanical means of sequencing grow bed fills.

http://www.fimcomfg.com/index.html

Kind regards,
John

Wow, they sound perfect for AP.
I have done a quick search but can find no Australian distributors. I'll keep looking as it would be great to find some costing details for Aus.
It would certainly suit my system if I could sequence the filling as I have a smallish sump. This also allows for easy expansion of grow beds without increasing the sump size.
A good find JB and welcome to the madness

Welcome John! I used to own a house that had one of these on the sprinkler system. It must have been 15 years old and was still working fine. What I'm not sure of is the pressure requirements for it to index. My system was running at about 45 psi. The pumps that we normally use in AP won't develope anywhere close to that. I may try to test mine today to see just what it will do. I've been thinking about some 24 volt sprinkler valves to see it they'd open(they're pilot operated as most water valves are). Now you've got me going, I have to get out and try it today!!!! I'll post results...

I just found this on the company site:


10 gpm (gallons per minute) are required for indexing, and 10 psi (pressure per square inch) at the valve, is required to seal valve while each zone is running.

This doesn't look to promising.......

Hi John
Sounds like they would be ok for a jet pump, it works out to around 40-45lpm at ~23ft head.
A high flow,low pressure pond pump probably wouldn`t have enough ummphh though.

HR Products
207 Bannister Road
Canning Vale, W. Australia 6155
(08) 9455 1677

hmmm they do look good local to me too.

It has been tried already - works for a while, then gets all filmed up.

Pressure to operate has been the main concern when trying to devise a mechanism to divert water flow in AP systems, there are zero pressure valves around but they were rather expensive when I was looking...gunk/biofilm gathering in the internals is another to consider - but give them a try and report and keep us(BYAP forumers) in the loop