Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Are you sure there's not a decimal point between the 1 and 5?? meaning 1.5 Amps= 180 Watts.
A good quality 175watt pump , will push some 2,000gallons an hour at 1.5 metres ( 5 feet) of head pressure.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Jebao-12000L ... dZViewItem

I had an above ground pool pump running for a while. It was 13 amps. Huge power bill running that thing. After seeing the first power bill from that pump, I went and got an energy efficient pump that may have cost more for the pump but it will easily save me that much over a year of power bills. (the original pump was free)

These well/sprinler pumps are VERY inefficient. They are designed to push a lot of flow and maintain a hefty pressure at the same time. Ditch this thing. You can get a 1/6th hp(it draws about 180 watts) sump pump for less than $100. If you can afford the energy efficient type the payout is very good. You really don't need 3/4 hp unless your system really gets big and even then it will be a low pressure application. Ditch the pump......

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
And here I was thinking I got a good deal. Yes, it's 15amps..the electron pig.
TC and Mark: In the back of my mind I was afraid of that.
OK. So. Looking for a pump. Again. Where's that bullet...

I run a swiming pool pump 28000 litres an hr but the pump only runs for 3 min every hr been running now for 2 years about $40. a year
As for your pump its a sin to have that size pump stepped down to 1/2 or 3/4 in

Did you use UV stable plastic in the tank? If not place magnets on the liner just under water level so that when the top rots off the plastic will stay in place.

No, I don't think it was. I was trying to figure out how to do that. The plastic is mostly covered by the GB's and lumber, but it will break down eventually.
Guess I need to appropriate the kids magnets.
Well the ebay seller i bought from has still not shipped my pump. I will wait until the weekend is over, then email him again. It really bugs me when they won't return emails.
I think I finally got my autosiphons working though. And I did the hated chore: gravel washing. Got the beds filled up, now maybe things will grow.
Oh, and added 15 comet goldfish for some plant food. Pics to come. Gotta go fishing (not in my FT!)

So the pump seller finally told me the pump is shipped. It's about time!

And I realized my FT water is getting too warm, as in bathtub warm (have to get out the thermometer to know how bad).
I should have sunk it in the ground, but I will probably get some shade cloth, which will probably help. And more goldies died. I think I have 5 left now. They can't take the heat.

Maybe I should have went with crappies? i think they're more heat-tolerant.

Sure there's not something wrong with the calcs on that big pump? If it was 1800 watts that would make it nearly 2.5 hp. If it is really a 3/4 HP it wouldnt pull anything like that, you would get a kick while the capacitors charged but not on running.
Suitability would be determined by the impeller shape, you can usually tell by its rated headmax and if it tells you min headmax.
Some of the pressure pumps become less efficient below a certain hight/pressure.

That's what the nameplate says. So 15 x 120 = 1800. That's my math anyway

Nameplate says 3/4 hp. It is a capacitor pump with a pressure switch.
I have noticed it does draw quite a bit of power, but probably not 1800W.
The intake is way too small, it's sucking the hoses flat. Noisy too.
It is a shallow well jet pump. Any more than that I don't know.

"Shallow well jet pump".....,there is the answer,.....,the pump is designed for "lifting" water from depth,,,and as such the power is used for lift and small flow,,,,hence small outlet,,,,this is exactly what you do not need for an AP situation ( 99% of systems).

Yep, that's why I have a pump coming tomorrow.
I bought the well pump before I knew what I really needed.

My pump came today!
Now I need to hook it up and reduce the cluttered hoses. This will be nice to have a quieter, more energy efficient pump.
Now if I could just get my FT water cooled down...

How did the new pump go?