Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Nice.
Which ones are you using?

I've got two independent IBC systems, each running a CM 3500lph, 25w pump. This one from ebay http://r.ebay.com/yc5WIJ

I've also got an air compressor as backup for both systems should either of the pumps fail.

Thanks again.

Anyone got advice on these Air pumps?

I've got that air pump, and a jebao water pump. The only issue I had with the air pump is a fat caterpillar clogging the air inlet, and getting sucked into it. Didn't really do any damage though, just made it hot and louder.

The pump has been flawless. I've got one a few sizes up from Azira, and it's run dry a few times, and been jammed shut by a fat goldfish when the guard came off, but no problems. It's got an autocut off if something goes wrong.

Hiw did a cattapillar get into the air pump?

There is an air inlet pipe. It crawled into it, or got close and sucked into it. Darwin awards right there I think.

I have one like that too, been working fine for about a year.

I put a small filter on the inlet.

Mine is the same as that, except I've got the 60lpm instead of that one which is the 80lpm I think? I've got it strung up inside a dodgy PC case I was never going to use to keep it from the weather, working well so far.

How loud are they for an outside unit?

Mine isn't overly loud, the water falling into the tank is far louder than the pump. It is more of a background hum. The way I strung mine up may have something to do with that, but I think if it was fixed to a solid base and not able to vibrate too much it wouldn't get too noisy.

It's louder when the pipe isn't hooked up to anything. But it's still noticeable. I wouldn't want it next to my bedroom window.

I just ducked outside and took a quick video to record the sound of the air pump compared to the water falling into the tank. You can hear how it's only really noticeable when I wander around the back. Things might change when I (finally) get around to making the lids for the FT's though, hopefully it'll muffle a bit of the water noise (not that it bothers me as I can't hear it from the house).

I have those air pumps also. Over a year, and running fine. The 1 has shorted out twice from getting water siphoned back into pump. Once my fault. once a bad check valve. Both times, I disassembled and dried all parts, and put back together...runs like new. A bit noisy, but like Azira said, more of a hum. Mine is outside my bedroom window, and it doesn't bother me a bit. Spend the extra money and get a good low wattage, quality pump. There are certain things you can get away with cheap/inexpensive. Pumps are generally not one of them. You get what you pay for. be it a 5 HP submersible, 20 HP turbine, or small AP pump. Over here, we have Home Depot. they sell a cheap brand of irrigation pump. I've seen numerous(too many to count)people try and get them because they didn't want to pay our price to install a quality pump. Almost every single one has had problems from day 1. Lose prime, no pressure, seals fail, impellers are junk. You can't buy a Mercedes for the price of a Kia. save on fittings, IBC's, labor, getting deals on media, but don't "save" on a cheap pump. You won't be happy in the long run.

Thanks for the effort

Can hardly hear it really

On another note.

I got the task of getting a fish tank for the office.

Foot used for scale.