Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

[quote="digitalcrunch"]This pump from harbor freight looks like a good price that moves the volume needed (if clean water), but the main thing I'm worried about is the document that says "the electrical cord contains lead" to me, if that's a submerged pump, it might be leeching lead into the fish water and thus the system. Any thoughts on this? http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manual ... /68395.pdf And... should I maybe throw away all the grow bed that this has been running on for about year?[/quote]


you can buy lead test pens from bunnings for $30 for 3 tests. if you really wanted to know use them to test the power cord and a piece of bed media. just don't put the piece you test back in the system as the reagent in the test is probably more toxic than lead.

I recently started reading about aquaponics and decided to look into methods and parts. I was wondering if I could get some suggestions for in-line pumps for a 55-60 gallon tank.

Brand & Model - Johnson L450
Capacity - 500 G/hr (2000 litres / hr)
Electrical - 12V, 30W
Max head - 2.5 m
Cost - $40 AUD
Duty Cycle - 15 minutes on, 45 minutes off
Start date - January 4, 2013
Expiry date - April 20, 2013

Well it seems that this pump has had it. I came out to the system today and the water was not moving. I pulled out the pump and took the cartridge out, then it started spinning...

So I put it all back together, figuring it was just stuck on a bit of rock or something, only to find it stopped about 3 hrs later.

Now it only starts if the rotor is moved to a specific place, and the cartridge rattles when you shake it.

So off to BCF tomorrow I go...

From my experience any pumps/aerators that are 12 volt just dont last long at all. I used to use 12 volt aerators when transporting fish but they would only last about 1yr at best. Now im using 240volt ones thru an inverter which is proving much more reliable and a hell of a lot quieter.

Yea, I use the same method. Ive permanently mounted an inverter in the back of our car for the reason of fish and yabbie transportation. Comes in handy when camping too.

At least he was using a Johnson, Rule pumps die much faster...

Not in my experience using them in aquaponics. Had two johnsons that lasted less than half the time rule pumps have lasted.

Interesting, on boats the opposite is true.

I went down to BCF to get a Rule pump but they didn't have one the right size... so ended up just getting a cheap no-name brand. *sigh*

Why can't I get a large high quality 12V pump?

Autopsy report for the Johnson L450- brushes were worn down badly, one so badly that it had broken apart. I can't see one of these pumps working for more than 2 months continuous or 6 months at 15 on, 45 off.

I think the only option if you want 12v operation is brushless.

2 months seems to be the normal reported for most of the 12v bilge pumps... especially the Rule...

Should be an easy conversion...
I would have thought that comment was fairly obvious, if only manufacturers could work that out...

Shurflo makes some mag drive bait tank pumps. They last longer than bilge pumps. Of course most things do...

As inoften as bilge pumps are used by most boaters, they would sell a lot less pumps so they have no reason to go brushless.

hey guys,

sorry to jump into the conversation, but i had a few quick questions;

anyone worked with pan world/blue line? last time i tried contacting them, i found that their number was now owned by a hair salon. they have great reviews, so i dont want to give up on em, but, if i cant even call them, it seems like a lost cause.

also, im finding all kinds of pumps; aquarium pumps, pumps that work with skimmers or chillers, bilge pumps, utility pumps, salt water pumps, whats the deal and are there any pumps i need to avoid?

im also having a tough time navigating reviews and separating the butt-hurt outliers from the true to the bone, this pump/company sucks, do not buy from them. some people love quiet one pumps, others hate them. some people swear by danner, others swear at danner. so if i were to divert from the pan world blue line company, what are a few logical next steps? im not worried about specifics for my system, just a new direction to go in. reeflows seem to be too powerful for what i have, and eheims too small, unless they have some models im not aware of.

if its of any help, the fish tank will hold 300 gallons, max head height required 10'. by my math, i need to be able to move 1200 gallons an hour in order to fit the 15 min thing.

anyways, let me know!

joebob