Looking for recomendations on air pumps

[wolfracer]

I am needing some advice and or formulas for calculating the volume of air I would need to properly aerate a 300 gallon IBC as of fish tank.
Any equipment to stay away from etc.

[badflash]

I have a Wisper AP 300 and am quite pleased with it. Been in operation just about a year with no issues at all. You can replace the diaphram if needed. With an IBC you want a deep water pump because they are so deep. Make sure what ever you get that it is rated for the depth you have.

The AP 300 is hard to beat for $60.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... 27982425-2 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3676&cmpid=03csems&ref=4624&subref=AA&srccode=cii_9686437&cpncode=23-27982425-2)

[wolfracer]

That one looks pretty good. How about large air stones? Any preferences? That pump looks like it can produce enough to run 8 standard size stones.

[badflash]

Try CF-11935

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=19180 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19180)

You can push at least 5 with that.

[badflash]

I don't use formulas. I watch my fish. If they spend too much time at the top the DO (disolved oxygen) is too low. One good large airstone per 300 gallons is good. You want to get a good uplift to keep particulates in suspension so they can be removed.

[jackalope]

I like air curtains ...... the past few air stones I've bought have broken when removing the airline to move it to a different tank ..... I have no problems with the air curtains ........ and they come in several sizes :)

[badflash]

I'm not sure what you are referring to, but I've tried those plastic tubes that make lots of bubbles. They clog quickly. Large air stones last much better than the little peanut ones. My 6" stones are over a year old and going strong.

[JeffW]

What type of pump is this the are using?
http://www.earthfort.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=24

[wolfracer]

That looks like the kind you for air brushes and stuff. Higher pressure, more cfm

[badflash]

That is a regenerative blower. They normally can't push past about 24" but the can suck as well as blow. They are fantasic at putting out volume and are very reliable.

[JeffW]

badflash yea I was wondering because it looked like that one you are using. I know they
cost more than a air pump yet they are top of the line for high volume of bubbles in water.

I want to get one some day for a compost tea brewing , already made my own brewer and
like the filter design we came up with (nobody has one like it). However my goal is too be
able to extract microbes from the compost with air aggitation without have the microbes
have to go through a impeller pump. And air is better that way

[sniceley]

I got a couple of air pumps from Champion Lighting and supply for my 3000 gallon pools. They push a lot of air and are very reliable. I have had them going outdoors for 8 months now and no problems. They are set up for ponds, so head pressure is never a problem. I got the supreme air pump ap 100, but for your application I would try something like the 20 or 40. If you might expand later go bigger and put in a splitter to divert it so your fish aren't in a whirlpool.

www.championlighting.com (http://www.championlighting.com)

[badflash]

That looks like a pretty nice pump. Looks like about 5 cubic feet per minute and down to 11+ feet. What is the noise level like? Is this a bellows pump or a piston pump?

[sanford.in.belize]

Hi every one. Ok this is what I have read but am having a little trouble fuguring it out.
1.3 kg O2/kW-h (2.15 lbs./hp hour)

Os consumption can be estimated at about 50% of the feed rate.
in a system fed 4.5kg of feed over an 18-hour period, the estemated oxygen consumtion rate would be about .125kg O2 per hour.
so you need a blower about .275 kw (1/3 hp)

that is from the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center publication number 453
Recirculating Aquaculture tank production systems
A review of component options

I myself am trying to figure out just how much air i will need for a 15'x15'x5' cement tank that is heavely stocked.

Is it right you should feed about 5% of the body weight per day?

The little system at home is really running well but am trying to scale up and set up the first Aquaponics greenhouse in the country. would apreciate any advice any of you vetrents have
thanks yall
sanford

[badflash]

Don't get too scientific. Err on the side of too much air. One air stone for every 100 gallons running hard will do it. As to how much feed, it depends on the size of the fish. SRAC Publication No. 452 lists recommended feed rates and stocking densities.

[urbanfarmer]

I believe 1% to 2% of the body weight for adults is more accurate, at least Tilapia.

[rondha.pratt]

I own a Tetra Whisper Air Pump (Non-UL and am greatly happy with it. Have been in function over a year with no problems faced at all. This pump is one of the top 5 air pumps (http://itday.com/fish/choose-best-aquarium-air-pump/) that is not merely inexpensive, it offers outstanding functionality as well.

I'd sincerely appreciate if you could kindly please share your views. :)

[murrayhallam]

I recommend you the PondMax PU4500 Water Pump. This pump is very easy to maintain and give high performance at very low power consumption.