Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello! I gonna start my first system and I wondering what kind of pomp should I use. My system will consist with pond with a capacity of 1000 l - 1500 l and the growbed with capacity of 500 l. I exactly ask you guys about the power of this pomp or the capability of flow, I mean how meny LPH should that kind of pomp has. Thank you for your attention, please answer ASAP.

We usually recommend a pump that can pump the volume of the fish tank once per hour at whatever the head height is (top of the water where the pump is to the highest point you're pumping to). Many pumps have a chart showing the pumping capacity at given head heights so use this to determine if the pump meets these requirements.

How you run your system will also have an affect. If you do time Flood and Drain, the pump might have to pump the entire volume in only 15 minutes so size the pump according to how much time the pump will be on each hour.

The size of the pipe and the distance you're pumping can also have an affect. If you have small pipe or are pumping a long way then you may want to consider a larger pump.

Because solids sometimes go through the pump it's wise to get a pump that can handle solids.

When you select a pump - a more efficient pump will save you money over the long haul by using less electricity. Of course if it's poorly made then this will not be true.

I've found the Laguna MaxFlo pumps work well and they are a good example of what to look for in a pump. I have no affiliation with Laguna or any company selling these (at least that I know of). http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/maxflopumps/maxflo.php?link=141

Hope this helps.

Yeah another recommendation for the Laguna pumps, I have been using one for about 2yrs and has been great, initially had to replace one as it wasn't pumping the way it should, however, this was replaced under warranty and haven't had any issues since,

The distance i gonna pump the water is about 10-15m, and the head height is about 1,5 m. I planned to do a Flood and Drain system - 30 min pumping per hour. And if You actually ment about pipes, i would ask olso about the size of them.

Hi Pochwalony,

Stuart has a thread about pipe sizing that might give you some information. You can go as simple or as technical as you want with this. Here's the thread - [url]http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=21045
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Here's an example of the pump head height chart that most pumps have (sometimes it's a graph and sometimes a table, like this one) - This is for Laguna Max Flo pumps - http://www.azponds.com/laguna_maxflo_chart.htm

Assuming a pond size of 1500 L the Laguna PT352 would probably be a good choice since it will only be run for a half hour out of the hour. You're going to have some loss of head because of the long pipe to the growbeds so check on Stuart's thread.

Hope this helps.

As you see Scotty i'm from poland, and i am not sure that thoose Laguna Max Flo pumps are available in mine country, but i will handle this and check in my stores. Last thing is that "Stuart's thread", i don't actually understand what thas exactly menas... Who is Stuart?

Lagunas are made in Italy. It should not be too hard to find them in Poland.

Ok so one problem solved:) Only what about those pipes?

The link I provided to the thread on pipe sizing was Stuart's thread. For some reason it didn't show as a link but here it is again.

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=21045

As you are from Poland I would try to source a German made pump eg Messner or Oase, if you can get them for a good price (we get ripped off in Australia for them). And preferably one with a vortex impeller.
And make sure you get a good warranty, I know in the UK some stores offer 5 years on a Messner.

So sorry scotty, my bad..

Hope the thread has the information you need Pochwalony.

Cheers

I have found one: LAGUNA PowerJet Free Flo 2200l/h 32W in quite good price, but i'am wondering (because is fountain pump) if it gonna work good in my system, i mean sending water for over 10m and over 1m high? One your assurance and it is practically bought:)
AND if it will handle with solids of course.

P.S. Messner and Oase are in sooooooooo high prices....

I think this is the manual for the pump you're looking at - http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaengeu/manuels/powerjet_400_600_900_1300.pdf?link=1401

The cage around the pump should keep the larger particles out.

If this is the correct pump manual then it looks like you can divert the water in a couple of different directions (to a fountain or a waterfall) and the pump should work for AP.

Cheers

Ok, so i'v got one last question about that pump. If the specification is exactly the same, is there a big differnce between that Laguna pump and some other non-good-known-brand, which costs almost twice less? I only hope that is not to stupid question;p