Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I discovered Aquaponics quite a while ago but thought it was to much of a hassle to source all the parts untill I discovered the wonderfull world of IBC's (I hope they work as well as they look). Now I'm completely hooked.

A week ago I got a 1000L IBC and 3 210L blue barrels and today got some good luck and got a used pump from work, it's a 13000L/H 750Watt submersible pump. Would like to go CHIFT PIST but still trying to source a good size sump for a good price.

Will this pump work for a IBC system?

Hi and welcome to the forum

The pump unfortunately is too powerful for a system of that size, it also draws too much power and it would reflect in your power bills.

Take your time and keep researching and hunting around for a bargain.

If I run the pump for 2min to fill the GB's and drain them in 28min would that work?
If my calculations are correct then that should use roughly the same power as a 200w pump running 15min on 45min off.

The reality is if you dropped that in the FT and pumped it out onto the ground your FT would be empty in about 10 minutes. Too much flow my man.

Ok I see your point. What size pump would you recommend for a CHIFT PIST flood and drain system thats running on a timer?

A pump that will turn over your fish tank volume once an hour in the time that is pumping for that hour.

There is more to AP than blasting water through media, the water needs to spend "quality time" in contact, otherwise you're just pressure cleaning the bacteria off the surface of that media.

If you want to run CF you only need a 1000lph pump, or 4000lph for 15/45 timed F&D, so 13000lph is just waaaay too strong.

Ok so 4000lph should work, that's 4000lph at the hight of the FT, might need 5000-5500lph pump then?

Yep

Thanks, will call around and see what I can get.

Just got quotation for PVC pipe and fittings, quoted R2250 ($280) for all pipe requirements..... damn expensive.
Can get a waterfall pump, 5500lph for R1070 ($130). Is this pump sufficient?
What pipe does every one in Australia use?
I'm thinking of building a sump of concrete and then painting it with waterproofing, any better ideas?

Not sure this part is entirely true

Probably not, but if SLO cant take the flow the FT is going to overflow.

Work sponsored me with enough angle iron (40X40X6mm) to finish GB stands. Now I just need to get media and pipes.

Take your time and it will all come together, you will be surprised what you can find when you start talking to friends, work mates or just having a friendly chat at your local stores.