Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Where from? I exhausted all channels searching for one in this country.

I'm lazy, so despite being alright at electronics, this is the reason I went to continuous pumping. And wear on the relays and pump with constant switching, as well as noise factors. Constant quiet noise is better than intermittent mild noise

I can understand the wear and tear on the system, but am concerned with the power consumption of a continuous system. I will have a search to see what size pumps are used in the constant set ups.

Cheers,
Dennis

Continuous flow pumps are usually smaller, designed for cheap continuous use (so long as you get a decent one)
Timed pumps as they pump more in a shorter amount of time are usually bigger. So the current is higher and so are the losses.

IMHO continuous is more efficient, but there will be ppl who will argue timed is cheaper as they pump their system less frequently than a continuous flow.

so there are many pros and cons.

Hi everyone,

I brought a timer from the B store. It was about $20 but seems to work well.

It's a HPM digital timer which can run 14 on and off cycles each day seven days a week.

It's in one minute increments and has battery backup, 12 month warranty.

God bless froggo.

http://www.intelli-cycle.com/index.php

and as ROZ said "but they're pricey"

Yep.... like about $250 a pop...

I have just ordered a Flexi timer kit from Jaycar. $35 + Postage I'll keep you informed.
The specs are:
Low Cost Programmable Interval Timer

Ref: Silicon Chip Magazine June 2008
Here's a new and completely updated version of a very popular project: an easily programmed low cost electronic timer. It operates from 12VDC, with low current drain: <50mA when relay is on, <5mA when relay is off. It is link programmed for either a single ON timing period, or continuous ON/OFF cycling and can be link programmed for any of 48 different time periods, separately for ON time and OFF time. Selectable periods are 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/10/20/30/40/50/60/70/80 seconds, minutes and hours. It may be restarted at any time simply by pressing reset pushbutton. Kit includes PCB and all specified electronic components.

Cheers,
Dennis

Bloody useless Jaycar, I remember asking them, they said they had nothing off the shelf and no timing kits. NO TIMING KITS? I said... bloody useless. Seriously.

I'll let you know what it's like when it gets here. I'm sure I will be able to do something useful with it

Cheers,
Dennis

Here is another thought. Has anyone tried adding molasses to a new system to get the bacteria perculating?
I have done this in dirt gardens to good effect.

Cheers,
Dennis

I can absolutely assure you that the Sansai PAD does 20 on/off cycles per day...

Re: your Jaycar timer purchase.... wasn't aware that you required a 12v timer... if it doesn't work out PM me and I'll point you to some others...

How are you going to drive your pump(s) off a 12v timer??

The electronic one I had similar to your description does 20 cycles. I still found that insufficient

Yes, it works pretty well. I think it made the bacteria to happy at one point and they grew so fast that they used up most of the oxygen in the tank. So dont over do it! Also note that it feeds many strains.

Although the timer is 12v I will use it to operate a relay to switch 240v. I am also considering a solar powered setup so this will work there as well.

Cheers,
Dennis