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  1. #1
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    water pump capacity

    I have a system that requires 1700 litres to flood the grow beds with the medium in. I am cycling the flow to these beds twice every 60 minutes for approx 10 mins. With my calculation I will require a pump that can deliver roughly 10,000 litres an hour!
    Am I working things out correctly? any help would be most appreciated.

    thanks

  2. #2
    Moderator wolfracer's Avatar
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    Re: water pump capacity

    How big is your fish tank? I always thought the idea was enough capacity to cycle the fish tank every hour or so.

  3. #3
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    Re: water pump capacity

    Hello Wolfracer

    My tank Can hold 4000litres. The reason its so big is because I got a deal on some tanks that were left over and I guessed I would not have to fill them if I did not require that volume.

  4. #4
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: water pump capacity

    You don't need to fill so fast. You can use a bell siphon to drain quickly with a constant flow of 1700 X 2 l/hr.

    With a large bio load you may need more bio-filter than just the growbed
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  5. #5
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    Re: water pump capacity

    Thanks for that.

    Excuse my ignorance but what is the( x2 )in the 1700Lh?
    Would I use an additional bio filter before or after the grow bed?

  6. #6
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: water pump capacity

    x2 means Time two. The biofilter should go in the fish tank, just like a regular aquarium. Any time the bioload exceeds the grow bed capacity, you need to treat it more like an aquarium and add the biofiltration. You will also need to do water changes it the nitrates get too high. Once you get over about 50 ppm nitrates you need to think about water changes.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  7. #7
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    Re: water pump capacity

    I understand it means times two but Im woundering how it relates to the 1700L/hr? are you talking about the fact I am cycling twice in one hour?
    What pumping volume (litres) per hour would you recomend when I go to purchase a pump?

    Thanks for your input this.
    Bruce

  8. #8
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    Re: water pump capacity

    How many fish are going to be running.

  9. #9
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    Re: water pump capacity

    I am pretty new to this and Im gathering information as I get to a certain stage in the developement of the project. As far as fish quantaties I will stock whatever the best number will be to suite my system so I am up for any suggestions!!

  10. #10
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: water pump capacity

    Multiply 1700L/Hr times 2 and that is the minimum. You need a safety factor of at least 50% so multiply by 3. That assures that when plumbing gets a little fouled you'll still have enough flow.

    Quote Originally Posted by bruce
    I understand it means times two but Im woundering how it relates to the 1700L/hr? are you talking about the fact I am cycling twice in one hour?
    What pumping volume (litres) per hour would you recomend when I go to purchase a pump?

    Thanks for your input this.
    Bruce
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

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