Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

We have been collecting components for a while now and we are about ready to start our first Aquaponics build. Because this is our first time we are having a try at integrating a few different systems to see what we can and can't get to work and we are looking at a set up like the following:

- 1000L IBC Fish Tank; Set this to an appropriate volume
- 3x 250L Grow Beds; Constant Flood & Drain; [~1/4 IBC, Internal Bell]
- 4x 3m 100mm pipes/channels
- 4x 20L Buckets; Constant Flood and Drain; [External Bell]; and 4x 20L Buckets; Dutch/Bato Bucket

We are looking at using the common CHOP2 design with the addition of:
- A solids filter (~20L Swirl Filter); and
- Using the pump as a jet/venturi aerator if possible.

Assuming we can get it to play nice together and get anything to grow we would probably be looking to expand the number of buckets to around 16, add another 4x 3m pipes, and probably get another 4x 250L grow beds which should bring us closer to the 2:1 grow bed ratio allowing us support more fish.

With all of that said, we are currently looking for a pump that would be at least able to support our initial set up but hopefully with enough room to support expansion.

Has anybody had any experience with the Aquapro AP 4000 pump*? I can't find a chart for the pump which shows how much flow is lost based on head height (wouldn't be any higher than the IBC tank; ~1-1.2m). Is 25mm pipe (outlet side) be wide enough to prevent significantly impeding flow rates?

Would this be an appropriately sized pump or should we be looking to get a bigger/higher watt pump?

* Link to Pump:
http://www.practicalaquaponics.com/shop ... _4000.html

If you can't find a chart, don't use it... Have you read through the good pumps, bad pumps thread? It is stickied for a reason. Yes it is a long read, but don't you think your system is worth the research?

Maybe consider the AP3000DW
http://www.aquatecequipment.com/aquapro ... -p-79.html
It uses 35w instead of 75w like the other pump you have mentioned there... It is not as good at pumping to higher heads as the 4000 you mentioned but at 1m head it still pushes 1680L which should be enough for you I think (the 4000 you mentioned is 2980L but seems to be more than you need)
Also the pump you mentioned is not intended for dirty water pumping but the 3000DW is... food for thought

CHOP2 would have to be the least common set up you could find, and flawed. Personally Id go for the CHIFT PIST if you must have a sump.

If the CHOP2 is fitted with a swirl/radial filter in the return to the FT, as the OP has suggested, then the flaw is negated and the system is fine IMO Charlie, and a very versatile set-up.

As far as the AP300DW pump being suitable for the OP's described system, I would say it would be very near the limits of it's capability. I sell the AP3000DW for systems with 3x IBC GB's and there is some spare flow left over for a spray bar etc. I've had a few people fit a 4th GB to these systems after a while, or start out with 4 GB's... and the AP3000DW has nothing, or very little left over. With the OP's additional add-on components to his system, and their associated extra plumbing, I would say it's a stretch.

Bear in mind the DW range isn't as effective working against restrictions, friction, head etc, as the higher wattage range, and the flow rates quoted are how much water flows out of a straight, unrestricted, vertical piece of pipe at the height quoted.

With the future expansion in mind I'd be going the AP6000DW.

All good points.. and the 6000DW seems like a good option... my main objection was using a water feature pump not intended for any real solid waste pumping... but any of the AP****DW pumps will work

I dont think the OP suggested that he planned to put the swirl between the pump and FT? Even still, I think that is a pointless exsersise because he would be trying to filter already filtered water.

Also if the pump is believed to be at its maximum limit, wouldnt it just be easier to go the CHIFT PIST which would only be pumping in one direction and have less piping and fittings etc compared to the CHOP2 with all the extra bolt ons and make it more viable?

But anyways, seems to me people would rather go the complex way about things lately so Ill leave ya's to it.

There is no way to use a swirl filter appropriately and still have a venturi on the same pump line.
I am with Charlie.

Well I am with Charlie on this one and would have recommended CHIFT PIST from the beginning but that wasn't really the question in the thread.. so I was just focusing on the pump and not the negatives of CHOP2 (of which there seem to be many and few plus sides)

Easily solved, don’t use a venturi... They’re not essential... and the OP did say “if possible”


I’ve never built a CHOP2 system, haven’t needed to, but what are the “many” negatives?... other than the often quoted "pumping fish waste back to your FT"... which can be negated with the use of a swirl/radial filter in the return line to the FT, which the OP has suggested they are going to do.

A swirl or radial filter will not catch all particles just larger ones... so even with one you will still be pumping some waste and in doing so turn it into smaller particles of which some will return to the FT and some will go to the GBs where they will not get trapped as easily as if they had come from a SLO from a FT.

This also means there will probabaly be more build up on the floor of the sump of waste compared with CHIFT PIST.

Also you are splitting the flow of the pump and complicating it which increases the work that the pump has to do somewhat and also decreases the diameter pipe you will use, meaning it is easier for it to clog up over time.

I just don't see how CHOP2 has any benefit over CHIFT PIST 'UNLESS' you have problems with varying heights and can't have your components in the height order that is necessary in CHIFT PIST.

Sure you could fix CHOP2 by adding swirl/radial filter and then maybe a fine particle filter.... but WHY.. unless there is a good reason for it? which I can't usually see

What about the 4500 pump http://www.aquatecequipment.com/pondmax ... p-118.html

We've sold literally hundreds of these and have only ever had one or two returned.. Damn good dirty water pump IMO...

Agreed Tom, for a basic set-up CHOP2 is not required... but unless you're running your FT higher than the GB's and feeding them via an SLO, then the same problem you quoted re suspended fines would apply to any other system, even CHIFT-PIST or CHOP where the FT sits lower than the GB's and feeds via SLO into the ST... as is the case with the majority of systems I've seen.

The OP hasn't stated why they chose CHOP2, but I'm assuming, reading their system description, it's because they will be running a number of ancillary components that will be at varying heights and require different flow rates/pressures etc... which makes a well set up CHOP2 system a logical choice I would've thought.

yup agreed.. if there are varying heights than some variation of CHOP2 isn't a bad idea