Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am looking at a 12 volt DC air pump to aerate my 1550 gallon fish tank. But I don't have a clue how much air flow I need. I am looking at this pump, it flows at 0.37CFM. Is that a good bit of flow? If it is enough I might want to use it as a air lift pump also. Please help.

Here is one of the pumps I am looking at.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/THOMAS ... Pid=search

Also considering this one, but it has almost 3 times the power requirement. But it has almost 4 times the air flow.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/GAST-C ... Pid=search

Have you taken noise and redunancy into account. I have been told piston pumps can be noisy. Maybe having two smaller pumps would be better in case one fails.

Noise is not a issue, this pump is going to be far from my house, and below ground level. Just looking for the most effecient 12 volt pump I can find to do the job. But don't want to spend 300 bucks to find out it is not enough pump.

As far as redundency I will have 3 12 volt water pumps running flood and drain, I think they would supply enough oxygen, this is more like the back up.

Thanks

First question would be what is the depth and what is your expected maximum poundage of fish. Then we can do some calculations

Depth would be about 5 1/2 feet. As far as fish, right now I have 100 fingerling channel catfish in the tank but once all my grow beds are in place want to run a higher stocking that that. Lets say for a number 600 lbs of fish. Not sure on that number, just thinking max of 300 two lb fish. Would rather err on the side of caution, I don't think 300 fish would fit in 1500 gallons.

I wouldnt put 100 fish in 300 gallons.

It's not, it is 100 fish per 500 gallons and that would be my max. Doubt I get there. 300 fish in 1550 gallons is 1 per 5, What my plan is, is to put 300-400 fingerlins in and as they start getting bigger move some to my pond. What ever the number is to keep my levels right, I always have a place for the excess, but I can't put small ones in my pond or the bass will eat them. So I figured this was a good way to get more catfish in my pond. I just pulled these numbers out of my head, going to have to play with it as my system gets up and running. I just don't want to buy a small pump, so I am going on the high side for my numbers. That way I know I won't exceed the pump.

Also in addition to my 1550 gallon tank I am going to have 3 300 gallon totes for minnows, and hopefully for spawning. So my total water capacity is going to be 2440 gallons. And that is not counting the water in the grow beds and sump tanks.

appologies helomech, I missunderstood.

Im a shocker for skim reading

No problem, heck 300 is probably too much, but like I said I don't know so I am getting pumps that can handle more than I expect to put in.

helomech,


Use the 1LB per 5 gallon rule, as a conservative MAX stocking rate for a new system.......

Thanks

If my math is correct that would be 300 lbs of fish for the main fish tank, and and another 180 lbs for the other 3 tanks. So about 500 lbs. That is pretty close to my guess. Like I said I am only running 100 3 inch catfish right now so I probably only have 3 to 5 lbs of fish right now. Even at 2 lbs that would only be 200 lbs of fish. The partial system has been running for 4 months now with bass and perch. Took all them out Tuesday and put in the 100 channel cats. I am going to take it very slow and watch my levels. Just trying to make sure I don't buy a air pump that is too small for what I need.

Okay maybe a better question. How much flow do you guys air pumps put out and how big is your tanks? I really need to order this soon, and any help is appreciated.

From the way your thread has been going.. If I get it Right you want to run the whole system off 12volt..

If so have you stated to put in/get the components that you need..?
What backups are you going to have..? [Generator or Mains Feed..]
What size battery system..?
--> To what level of drain are you working on C100 or C20..? ie 100hrs or 20hrs..
--> With the drain What are you looking at for max power drain before you kick in the chargeing[Gen/mains]..?


On the question of the Airpump What is the Litre per min..?
On the Airpumps .. Look at what else is available.. but then that is me.. I have some thing Similair and I don't think it works as well as a normal Airpump..

Juergen