Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

40mm is the new 25mm

So the up shoot being....I can run 40mm from the pump, reduce it to 25mm just before the index valve (as mine is a 25mm model) and run 25mm to all the beds.

Well thats whats going to happen as funds are low and thats what I already have to hand ....now just to decide on what size pump I need for the tank ....might have to have a read in the pump sizing thread ...any ideas would be appreciated

Thinking about it I would need a 5000lph pump.....but may go bigger

Pump needs to cycle the water once an hour as a rough measurement.

Depending on your pump cycle.

I have a 5000L tank vlt so its about right...but a bit extra push never hurt I'm thinking

So you are continuously pumping?

Also....you will need to worry about "head".

Head is how high the water needs to be pumped. The measurement is the top of the water where the pump sits to the highest point.

A 5000litre pump is measured at zero head. A crappy 5000litre pump may be pumping 2000litres at 1 metre head.

something like this should do it gnash

Are they warman pumps?.....I used to repair the big warman tailings pumps at KCGM...good fun job

The tank and the gbs are nearly level vlt....i.e. 6 gb's are/will be at water level, 4 will be below the level

And no not constant......pump on a timer as I will be using an index valve

Not sure how the tank and growbed can be level. Unless it's a CHIFT PIST. Even then, you are pumping from the sump to fishtank.

There must be head.

On a 15on 45 off with a 5000litre pump at zero head you are moving 1250litres in the 15 mins.

Thats why I have been holding off on timed flood and drain cause my 6000L/h pond max is pumping to a bit over a metre head to a 2000L tank. So 15 on will get me about 1000L if lucky. Guess I could try it with 30/30
Or just bite the bullet and get a bigger pump and keep the 6000 as a spare

Rupe... I think Hubby was concerned with the fact that if Gnash went from 40mm pipe with a 40mm spider down to 25mm outlets, that he may require a high pressure pump to get enough flow...

Gnash, this would probably do the job: http://backyardaquaponics.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=181&category_id=11

But I would use this: http://backyardaquaponics.com/shop.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=182&category_id=11

Mainly to help push the 5k of water through 25mm pipes.

The spiders also work HEAPS better with the higher head pumps. I think you will need at least 6000 litre pump with around 3.5 metre head to do a good job.

I rate the Laguna pumps highly as well: http://www.thereefshop.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=446

Heaps less power than the Pondmax

Spend the absolute most you can on a pump, you really want quality.

I use 4 of these : http://www.thereefshop.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=1235

OBO, when you say

Do you mean they have less power or use less power ?

CD, I think OBO is saying that Laguna is a more efficient pump as it uses less electrical power for the same flowrate compared to the Pondmax ones.

I use the 11000 lph Laguna myself... and to me, the cage design is good as well. I have the pump in the centre of the tank and I don't get much crap sitting under the pump compared to the Pondmax ones...

Tank is above ground, G'B's are above ground...and yes I have a sump....or more to the point I'm trying to dig a sump in atm

I already have the dirty water float switch pump for the sump....just waiting on funds for the main one, the sump and FT are positioned close together so that pump only has a 2m head to push

40mm to 25mm valve Naree lines will be 25mm to GB's

OH....and Thanks OBO may just look at getting one that you use...The force is strong with those pumps