Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I have a submersible pump that isn't being used for anything. I would like to use it in my new system. My question is, what makes a pump OK for fish? Is there anything in particular to look out for?

Thanks
Rob

Avoid anything that is oil lubricated and/or has copper/brass components.

Make sure the pump is rated continuous... if you intend to employ siphons and pump continuously.

Make sure you have sufficient capcity to turn over your tank volume once/hr... at the head you will require.

By the biggest pump you can afford... to allow for inevitable system expansion...

Try to get the lowest wattage pump you can that will meet all of the above..

Thanks Rupert, How can I tell if the pump is oil lubricated?
The pump is decent size, 12000l/h at min head, 400w.

Cheers
Rob

Brand & Model No??

Unfortunately I don't have the pump with me and I don't remember the brand, but i'll check it out tomorrow.

Thanks
Rob

Thats a big pump.

ah Roz, arent most of our pumps oil lubed? i know my ebara pump is. (vege oil i think)

Steve, is there any easy way to tell just by looking at the pump? And where exactly is the oil, inside the casing?

Some of the sump pumps have oil above the bearing and seal on the shaft end (very small amount) these are the dumpy shaped pumps ie like a minature barrel standing upright, water through screen at the bottom cable out the top. The pond/fountain pumps don't have oil these are sitting horizontally intake at one end outlet above this. Easier if you just find out the make and model and we'll see if we know it .

Ok, got the pump make and model. Its a T.I.P TKX 12000.

Here's the link to the site:
http://www.tip-pumps.com/klar_produkte.php#produkt3

Any ideas if its fish safe? At what water volume does the oil stop being an issue?

Thanks
Rob

Difficult to tell, the dirty water ones run oil and the cutaway will not go big enough to see.
Here's where it will have to be assumptions unless anyone has one of these. As the description for the clean water ones does not describe self lube bearings and you may be running potable water I would chance it if its fairly new. Also it appears to be German made and I trust their engineering more than I do the Chinese.

haha, precision German engineering! The pump is new, only been used once Will it leave an oily slick if it is problematic? I could just run it for a couple of days and check it out. Also, the water volume is pretty big 4cube, so not sure if oil would make much difference. I've emailed the manufacturers now, will see what they say. Unfortunately my email is in English, so chances are they'll use babel fish to translate it, so who know's what it'll say after that!

I hate the lack of sound
I will be trying to build a pump redundant system.

"Will it leave an oily slick if it is problematic?"

Think if its problematic it would get hot and turn off (thermal cut out) give it a test for a short while always pays with new equipment.

Got a reply from the pump manufacturers. The T.I.P TKX 12000 has a 2 part mechanical seal. No mention of oil though However, the pump can't be run continuously "TKX 12000 can be running max 4 hours each day evenly distributed." So I guess I'll go buy another pump. Will this pump most likely over heat if I run it for longer?

Cheers
Rob