Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been relying on my Affan's aerator to oxygenate my FT every 15 mins and haven't had any problems except yesterday I found a fish as well as my final yabbie dead with two fish gasping for air on the surface of the pond and the rest (which I usually can't catch) looking very sluggish. Maybe something to do with 2 stinking hot days in a row?

Having no air pump I was in a bit of panic and proceeded to scoop up water in a 9l bucket and simply pour it back into the FT from chest height as well as turn my pump onto constant flow. Worked a dream as all fish are back to normal and happily swimming around the tank at speed.

Which tells you that you definitely need an air pump Jack... and quickly, with temps climbing...

Hmmm, and also if your fish aren't fully grown yet, then you'd have to be thinking that you're walking a fine line as they grow even larger.. Be careful....

Yep I'm convinced now that I need one

What sort should I be looking for for a 600L tank with 13 SP?

I am in the market for a decent pump for my FT as I bought a $20 one off ebay to get me started but it only pumps around 75L in the 15 mins it runs for. Can I convert my current pump into a spray bar to aerate the water?

You could certainly do that... and the return from a bigger pump, pumping more volume will help as well...

But I'd still buy a two outlet battery backup air pump as well... talk to Joel/BYAP....

Another thing that would be worthwhile... is adjusting your timer cycle to 30/30, or 15/30.... more cycles, more return...more aeration...