Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Happy new year everyone! Looking for your opinions on whether an ac/dc air compressor or back up system is necessary for a FT of 1000L with 30 tilapias please? They are quite pricey and take quite a bit of power compared to regular ac ones.

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Hiya Purpledino, Happy New year to you too.
There are many uses for air pumps in our systems and back up is one so even when not used for this purpose it’s handy to have in your equipment. I guess the necessity is based on the reliability of the power grid in the area, the age and quality of your pump and the stocking density.
I have a small battery backup pump which is mainly used for transporting fish. When it’s not doing this it just sits adding a little air to the systems water.

It may be cheaper to just get a 2nd DC pump, a car battery, relay, and A/C adapter and build one that only runs when the power is off.

Happy New Year!
My dream backup is with an air/ oxygen tank with a regulator and a solenoid valve that opens the air flow when the power shuts off. . Which might be cheap to get second hand in your area.

I've been looking used O2 tanks here, some full of O2, mostly around 100 dollars or a little less, but haven't gotten around to it yet, though the grid power is usually (fingers crossed) pretty reliable here. I can't imagine a solenoid costing too much. I think the longest the power was out since I've been here was 3-5 hours during an amazing storm with very strong whipping winds! Usually it's out for 10 minutes or less.

I'm just thinking this method seems very reliable, and less likely to break/ fail. And, it might end up costing about the same, or maybe a little more than a pump with a battery if bought new.

Thanks for your input guys.i like the idea of using a relay, battery and dc pump. I found a 12vdc car tire air compressor and I wonder if I can macgyver it to supply oxygen to the FT

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Only if you don't mind pumping CO (Carbon monoxide) into the FT at the same time!

You must use an oil-free pump for FT aeration, otherwise you produce poisonous gas, and the fish will not appreciate that. Depending on the pump, it might also produce fine Aluminium powder, another substance you don't want in the FT.

They do sell relatively cheap DC air pumps for aquaponics/aquaculture, they aren't built well enough for 24/7/365 use but for backup I know tons of people use them.

Thanks for your input guys. Best for 2021

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