Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone

I have been reading the forum since it started getting close to setting up a small system

wondering what type of timers people use

we want to flood and drain ...... the grow beds will be higher than the fish pond and will gravity back but we need a timer to pump up to the beds

most timers we have seen can only be set to come on 6 to 8 timrs in 24 hours and we thought it needs to be on about 12 times

frosty

Hi frsoty,

The timers i use (for my aquariums) are branded HPM. (Cat D809)

They have 4 on periods of 15min per hour that can be set.

they are really flexible due to this fact.

Steve

Hey Frosty....

Yep I have used the same type as Steve, they are pretty dependable and can be adjusted very simply for as many off n on cycles as you like. There are a few other timers made by other companies that work on a similar principle if you can't find the HPM one...

thanks steve and joel

found them online and they do seem just what we need

joel where did you purchase yours?

frosty

Mine was from Bunnings, I think... Most department stores have them, Target, K-mart etc...

Does anyone know of an inexpensive timer that has a smaller interval than 15 minutes? My pumps are a bit oversized for my system and I would like for them to be on less than 15 minutes to save $. I am hesitant about digital ones just because I wouldn't want one that lost its settings with a power outage.

Most digilats have a battery inside toi help "remember" the settings - as for time intervals lesst than 15 min, anything less than that here seemes to be in the $80 plus range, which is why I stick with the el cheapos!

Thanks, Aquamad, that is sad. I'm not mad.

oh look
He rhymes all the time...
a poet and didn't even know it!:laughing6:

LOL

HAve you thought about maybe changing pumps DD? A larger pump that is cycling off and on regularly uses a great deal of power, and causes more wear and tear on the pump rather than a small one that cycles less often. Just a thought.

I gotta say this... For years my nickname was DD (the name is Dave Downing), and I never met another DD... then here there is another DD, and I did not even notice

Speaking of pumps.....I have just aquired a range of "Made in Italy" pumps that are just the "ducks guts" for our purposes....Yes a bit more expensive that the "yang-woo" stuff that is out there. But worth every cent.....
Have a look at Boatshop
There will be more added over the next little while.
Free delivery anywhere in Australia and additional discount for Forum Members.
Mojo

Over time some people have asked about the availability of timers that have less than 15 minute time increments. I stumbled upon a cheap one at www.ageofaquariums.com.au. It's cheap. See the link here:

Timer

Just to let fellow APer's know about my HPM timer.
I timed the 15min cycle and discover it was 13mins..
Also woke up to find system pumping at night and noticed the timer time was out..thought that someone has ben playing with unitl it happen again..the timers mechanism had stopped for hours...came home one afternoon with same problem so ditched it..

Is your timer doing what it is suppose to doing????
Murphy's Law is suppose..

LB, is yours the whaite and black one or the white and orange one?

my first timers wast the orange HPM, faultless. had nothing but trouble with the white and black one doing what you described, but seems to have come good with old age!

will try to get some pics for you.