Off Grid Aquaponics - Sierra Nevada Foothills - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T14:44:50Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/off-grid-aquaponics-sierra-nevada-foothills?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A342226&feed=yes&xn_auth=noi am working on my own solar…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-04-19:4778851:Comment:5588652014-04-19T19:32:27.930ZMikio McCullochhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MikioMcCulloch
<p>i am working on my own solar system here in placerville, and am wondering what you all think about the possibility of creating an "airlift" pump that can move enough water and be used in lieu of an aerator and pump. I am having difficulty finding plans and numbers that correspond to my work-in-progress build. </p>
<p>The airlift would be in the sump tank (connected to an external tube to the air pump), aerate the water, and bring it up into the fish tank. I'm still working on mine but…</p>
<p>i am working on my own solar system here in placerville, and am wondering what you all think about the possibility of creating an "airlift" pump that can move enough water and be used in lieu of an aerator and pump. I am having difficulty finding plans and numbers that correspond to my work-in-progress build. </p>
<p>The airlift would be in the sump tank (connected to an external tube to the air pump), aerate the water, and bring it up into the fish tank. I'm still working on mine but here is a pic of what i intend (based on wolfracer's build from diyaquaponics).</p>
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<p>my goal would be minimal wattage used, and minimal upkeep- (the external air pump wont have the potential clogging issues of a normal submersible pump) </p>
<p> </p>
<p>any advice would be helpful!</p>
<p> </p> I am using the BZ Products m…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-27:4778851:Comment:3421302012-05-27T14:42:49.502ZJason Eatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JasonEaton
<p> I am using the BZ Products mppt 500 ( 500 watts ). They go for just over $200 and work very well. Made in USA. Pretty good value for the performance you get.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.bzproducts.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/MPPT500.pdf">http://www.bzproducts.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/MPPT500.pdf</a></p>
<p> I am using the BZ Products mppt 500 ( 500 watts ). They go for just over $200 and work very well. Made in USA. Pretty good value for the performance you get.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.bzproducts.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/MPPT500.pdf">http://www.bzproducts.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/MPPT500.pdf</a></p> Which controller did you go w…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-27:4778851:Comment:3422262012-05-27T14:30:04.941ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>Which controller did you go with? </p>
<p>I just installed a new 12-volt pump with spray bar in my tank, for aeration only - Rule 24. It pumps 360 GPH at no head (provided voltage is adequate), 260 at 3.5 feet (1 meter) and 190 at 6.7 feet (2 meters), according to the paperwork anyhow. <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Jason Eaton said:</cite>.</p>
<p>After a couple days of charging with the new charge controller ( sometimes at 40amps ) my batteries were topped off nicely.…</p>
<p>Which controller did you go with? </p>
<p>I just installed a new 12-volt pump with spray bar in my tank, for aeration only - Rule 24. It pumps 360 GPH at no head (provided voltage is adequate), 260 at 3.5 feet (1 meter) and 190 at 6.7 feet (2 meters), according to the paperwork anyhow. <br/> <br/> <cite>Jason Eaton said:</cite>.</p>
<p>After a couple days of charging with the new charge controller ( sometimes at 40amps ) my batteries were topped off nicely.</p>
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</blockquote> I'm stoked this morning. My o…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-25:4778851:Comment:3410812012-05-25T14:03:46.061ZJason Eatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JasonEaton
<p>I'm stoked this morning. My off-grid aquaponics ran overnight without any issues on its own power. I had a charge controller problem and my batteries were not getting enough charge. After a couple days of charging with the new charge controller ( sometimes at 40amps ) my batteries were topped off nicely.</p>
<p>System was going strong all day, and I left the pump on last night. This morning voltages are still 12.6 even with the run all night long!</p>
<p>By the numbers I should have three…</p>
<p>I'm stoked this morning. My off-grid aquaponics ran overnight without any issues on its own power. I had a charge controller problem and my batteries were not getting enough charge. After a couple days of charging with the new charge controller ( sometimes at 40amps ) my batteries were topped off nicely.</p>
<p>System was going strong all day, and I left the pump on last night. This morning voltages are still 12.6 even with the run all night long!</p>
<p>By the numbers I should have three days of run on the two batteries I have. Also when I measured my bilge pump it runs at only 2 amps now versus when it was new running at 3.5 amps.</p>
<p>As others have mentioned you need at least 350watts of solar panels 400amp hours of batteries and the most efficient pump possible to get these systems off grid.</p> Yes, I understand. Solar eas…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-22:4778851:Comment:3388112012-05-22T23:45:51.370ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>Yes, I understand. Solar easily doubled the cost of my system. Batteries are another costly component. I think it will work out for me - My primary goal with solar is to keep everything alive if grid power goes down for several days, which has happened here, twice. </p>
<p>There is a DC timer available through the shop link on this site and it looks like a good one. Depending on the outcome of my tests of 12-volt pumps, I may purchase one, eventually.</p>
<p><cite>Kirk Ellern…</cite></p>
<p>Yes, I understand. Solar easily doubled the cost of my system. Batteries are another costly component. I think it will work out for me - My primary goal with solar is to keep everything alive if grid power goes down for several days, which has happened here, twice. </p>
<p>There is a DC timer available through the shop link on this site and it looks like a good one. Depending on the outcome of my tests of 12-volt pumps, I may purchase one, eventually.</p>
<p><cite>Kirk Ellern said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/off-grid-aquaponics-sierra-nevada-foothills#4778851Comment338581"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><br/><p>I'm all for going green but I'd like to keep some in my pocket!</p>
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</blockquote> 3 panels at 195 watts each so…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-22:4778851:Comment:3385812012-05-22T23:26:39.324ZKirk Ellernhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KirkEllern
<p>3 panels at 195 watts each sounds like way more than I'd use for two little pumps.</p>
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<p>and at $1.25 per watt for the panels, we're talking $731.25 too.</p>
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<p>I'm all for going green but I'd like to keep some in my pocket!</p>
<p>3 panels at 195 watts each sounds like way more than I'd use for two little pumps.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>and at $1.25 per watt for the panels, we're talking $731.25 too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm all for going green but I'd like to keep some in my pocket!</p> 12 volt timers: Search Amazo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-22:4778851:Comment:3384072012-05-22T01:15:02.186ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>12 volt timers: Search Amazon and you'll find one. Perhaps Rob's timers will work with 12 volt - I don't know but check the shopping link on this site. </p>
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<p>Kirk: My system requirements are much the same as yours and three 195 watt panels with 150 AH of battery aren't enough. Possibly if I added another battery I could make it most of the time without plugging in a charger. Of course, if I pumped less that would make a difference but I've chosen to pump continuously. I'll…</p>
<p>12 volt timers: Search Amazon and you'll find one. Perhaps Rob's timers will work with 12 volt - I don't know but check the shopping link on this site. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Kirk: My system requirements are much the same as yours and three 195 watt panels with 150 AH of battery aren't enough. Possibly if I added another battery I could make it most of the time without plugging in a charger. Of course, if I pumped less that would make a difference but I've chosen to pump continuously. I'll pump a lot less and stop feeding if/when a power outage occurs.</p>
<p></p> Thanks Kirk. Great reply. I'm…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-21:4778851:Comment:3380992012-05-21T23:28:45.724ZJason Eatonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JasonEaton
<p>Thanks Kirk. Great reply. I'm not sure what system is best for timed water pumps but I think it would be ok. My system has a sump, so as long as I don't over flow then I'm fine. The FT is highest and gravity feeds into the grow beds. Water in to the FT is water out the into the beds, so I don't think shutting the pumps off/on every so often would be an issue.</p>
<p>Anybody know of a good DC timer? 12v?</p>
<p>Thanks Kirk. Great reply. I'm not sure what system is best for timed water pumps but I think it would be ok. My system has a sump, so as long as I don't over flow then I'm fine. The FT is highest and gravity feeds into the grow beds. Water in to the FT is water out the into the beds, so I don't think shutting the pumps off/on every so often would be an issue.</p>
<p>Anybody know of a good DC timer? 12v?</p> I've recently been trying to…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-21:4778851:Comment:3381842012-05-21T22:42:22.645ZKirk Ellernhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KirkEllern
<p>I've recently been trying to integrate my solar panel into my smaller system (100g fish tank). Kill-o-watt says I use 52 watts + whatever the inverter is costing me. At the moment I've just got a weenie little 5 watt panel and a cheap radio shack 350w inverter with a fan in it (stollen from the camping kit), however, it will run the pumps/air for at least a couple days. I've been trying to spec out how much panel I'll eventually need to get but owms law is just beyond my mental…</p>
<p>I've recently been trying to integrate my solar panel into my smaller system (100g fish tank). Kill-o-watt says I use 52 watts + whatever the inverter is costing me. At the moment I've just got a weenie little 5 watt panel and a cheap radio shack 350w inverter with a fan in it (stollen from the camping kit), however, it will run the pumps/air for at least a couple days. I've been trying to spec out how much panel I'll eventually need to get but owms law is just beyond my mental reach.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Meanwhile, some thoughts for reducing energy for solar:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Does your design allow you to use a timer for the pumps? I got to thinking that I'd just run the pumps for 15 minutes every 2 hours when its dark and a 1/2 hour per hour in daylight. Problems: Beds end up occasionally swamped when the pumps shut off and starting a pump repeately beats up the pump faster than leaving it on.</p>
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<p>2. Heater is currently left on the grid power but thermostat is down to 65 degrees so it only has to turn on for cold nights. 300watts is a lot of watts but I want the fish to grow as fast as possible so I can harvest them before winter. I doubt I can play solar exclusive when the fall comes. Heck, I'll probably need to shut down in the winter but we'll see.</p>
<p>3. Air pump is off right now while the fish are small and the nights are cool. I've got quite a bit of splash through bed discharge and pumps. Might have to cross my fingers on this aspect as I don't have an o2 meter. When it gets hot (and the fishies grow up) I'll put it back on the battery. .2 watts are not a lot of watts but with my puny panel I need everything I can get.</p> I went with a 500 GPH Johnson…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-05-19:4778851:Comment:3373932012-05-19T14:51:42.865ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>I went with a 500 GPH Johnson Mayfair Pro-Line - rated at 2.0 amps but we'll see. You can buy them at lots of places, including Amazon. I'll run this continuously from my solar system for aeration while pumping tank to beds from grid, for the time being.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.basspro.com/Mayfair-ProLine-Bilge-Pump/product/37057/91544" target="_blank">http://www.basspro.com/Mayfair-ProLine-Bilge-Pump/product/37057/91544</a></p>
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<p>I went with a 500 GPH Johnson Mayfair Pro-Line - rated at 2.0 amps but we'll see. You can buy them at lots of places, including Amazon. I'll run this continuously from my solar system for aeration while pumping tank to beds from grid, for the time being.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.basspro.com/Mayfair-ProLine-Bilge-Pump/product/37057/91544" target="_blank">http://www.basspro.com/Mayfair-ProLine-Bilge-Pump/product/37057/91544</a></p>
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