Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A quick rinse of the gravel is a really good idea before putting it into the system, at least to get the system started. Once a system is well established, I'm not as picky that all gravel has to be washed.

I'm not sure how easy cleaning dirt/sand out of the sump will really be and in a brand new system with no bio-slime build up the really fine particles will stay suspended for a very long time.

As to the pump. If you are putting it in a sump with no fish or dirt in it, then under normal conditions, I would say the pump should be fine so long as it is fish safe (no metal other than stainless steel in contact with fish water and no oil that can leak.) However, if you are hoping to just place dirty gravel into the system and expect the little pump to take care of everything, you may be expecting too much. Even after extensive gravel washing most brand new systems are cloudy for a time after starting up until bio-slime starts to form and catch the particles.

Ok, so I'll wash the rocks.

As for a pump pre-filter could I take the pump and put it into a bucket filled with gravel, so the gravel would screen out anything that might clog the filter? I found it suggested on a site that was talking about pond filters. Here is a link to the picture they provide as an example: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com ... filter.jpg

Isaac, for ideas in cleaning gravel (a most onerous task) check out the thread "How do you clean your gravel?"

Welcome to BA BYAP! (BABYAP? BABY AP? Anyway, Bay Area BYAP!)

I've been somewhat lazy with washing gravel ever since I found that I could never get rid of all debris. I just get some semi-washed stuff like 3/8" pea gravel or 1/2" salt-and-pepper, shovel it into the GB, hose it off roughly until the sump is fairly full, let that settle for a day, then siphon off the worst and pump and dump the rest of the water depending on how clear it is. Works pretty darned well and saves my back a lot of grief.

I also pretty much ignore the clean water/dirty water pump designations and remove any fine filter sponge as it quickly gunks up with bacterial slime. I figure that any filtration/straining depends on what is likely to get sucked up:
fine sediment: a bit will be ok (water visibility>2') and end up in the growbed
sand: not so good, but if you siphon/vacuum it up now and then it will eventually disappear or diminish. I have about 30 grains per square inch and don't worry...it probably will decrease pump life, but not too much.
gravel: this will jam your pump impeller if it gets sucked in, so a strainer will be helpful. Lots of pumps have plastic strainers...just remove the sponge filter inside.
fish "solids": these can clog things, but you want them pumped up and into the growbed. Either CHIFT PIST or a pump on timer will work as the PIST typically has no pump in fish tank to clog and the timer allows a fish tank pump to backwash itself.
fish, especially fry: tend to get caught and converted to confetti fertilizer. A small enough strainer to keep them out and pass solids and not get clogged is needed. One could have a cylinder of stainless steel screen, a pvc tube with inlet covered by ss screen, or some other solution. Make sure currents don't suck fry against the screen...

Just for the record, my vote goes for "BAB-YAP"

I got it all set up! Its been cycling without any hitches for 2 days now... I only have one GB up and running but everything works! I'll post pictures soon.

don't for get the accidental pictures of your toes