newbie

[tim fusilier]

hi all i just got into aquaponics;but i have been doing hydroponics for some time , i was wondering aboutmy pump on my aquaponics project. i have a 295 gph pump on my 350 gallon tank would anybody comment on if it is big enough for the size tank of 65 fish. i have a 4by 8 media bed & 4by6 raft on my system. i would appetiate some info THANKS

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Tim,

AP recommends a pump to cycle the FT tank volume within one hour. 295 gph is close enough, but if you have to factor the head height, which will lower the turnover rate..............all this has to do with adequate O2 for your fish ratios. At 65 fish you're over the ratioed amount of 50. I've run pumps which cycle the entire FT volume in 2-3 hours but I added supplemental aeration to the tank, so you can do likewise if you insist on your design.

[tim fusilier]

thanks for the info Harold;i think i am going to put a little more pump because i have 6.5 &over on my oxygen also i found a small fry in the skimmer ,so that may have been the reason for my bad water quality.