Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Trying to make a diverter for my main pump. Thought the easiest way was a T that was open all the time and an solenoid that can be set up on a timer to close a flap on the end of the T. This would force the water into the rest on the piping. Is there an easier way.

Duff

If you are going to use solenoids it would be safer (although a little more complex to have the flap shutting by water pressure and being opened by the solenoid (think of a toilet cistern) Ell has a thread on auto controlled flaps but I can't remember how he did it.

Crap drawing re above Although you might be able to alter a toilet cistern (nice reuse)

What are you trying to divert, how often and for what purpose.... reasons I ask...

10000lph pumping through a 2in main line to all the GB's. Idea is to have it fill the GB's for 15min ish every hr but to have the pump going 24/7. Splashing back into the pool for added o2 or to move the water around.

Hummm.. so you need a timer actuated valve to open for 15 mins every hour to supply the growbed line......

Maybe look at some of those irrigation controllers and solenoids.... flow/pressure could be a problem though...

Was either divert or a timer on the pump.

Timer on the pump wont pump through the "diversion" tee continuously... only when the timer is active... in which case a simple "tee" is all you need.... :dontknow"

If I use a timer then I won't need the T but will lose out on using the pump the rest of the time. Also thought of a flap with a container attached. Timer runs a small pump that fills it and this closes the valve. Kinda a lot of trouble. A lot of the big solenoids valves are pricey. Is there a benefit for the pump if its on a timer and not 24/7.

not too sure, but I do know that someone(cant for the life of me remember who it was) posted some pump efficiency tables that might help

benefit maybee you will find running a pump 24/7 you may not need an air pump but you are putting a lot on one pump you will find a lot of the fish kills lately have been there only air supply has stopped with a pump and an air pump if one fails the other one still keeps things going the one on the forum tonight forgot to turn pump on all died but the other tank with the small circulating pump on all ok if he had air all would still be ok
Trout at 25 drop dead jims have been to 28 with air and still feeding

But is the data any good. I've found that a lot of data depends on who is working the figures. Pumping data sounds like something that can be easily manipulated.

Was more worried about wear and tear on the pump starting and stopping.

Was the idea in diverting the flow so it could be used for other things. The blower runs 24/7. Need to get a DO test kit so I can get an idea of what the system has in it. Not even sure how long my system would go in a blackout.

I would say a pump running 15 on 45 of would last 3 times longer than one running 24/7 its more the gunk in the water that wears them out

Thanks for that. I kept thinking it was the start, stop that effected them. It was bugging me a little. First time I've had these type of pumps going. One more reason to get a timer.