Air lift pumps in Aquaponics

Glenn, Good work. Airlifts have proven to be invaluable, we even use them in large systems. They are quite practical but for many of the groups or individuals that we consult with, they often use generators or have a low amp service. They prove themselves day after day.

If you could, I would be interested in any info that you might present, pictures, if you will.  Your earlier stated numbers are excellent. 

We are located in Arizona, near the Mexican border. Our system is based on the UVI model, I have used this model for years and as they say, "If it's not broken, why fix it."

I thank you in advance, Michael          my preferred e-mail is as follows: synergyaquaponics@gmail.com 

Hi Glenn,  I would be interested in the manual if that is ok.  We are currently looking at an aquaponics setup in a community in Tohoku in Japan that would need to be completely off-grid, and so am looking at different ways to reduce electricity consumption.  I have heard others in these forums comment that air pumps are not always so efficient, but you are suggesting otherwise so would love to find out more from you if that is ok.  

aragon@japan-aquaponics.com

Ok Glen I will take you up on the manual I really want to get started on this as we can share it with the students we are helping to build systems.  I will also look at the video Jim recommended.  Mahalo  You know my email but I will give it again pohakea@juno.com   Mahalo Raychel

...has anyone tried piranha in an aquaponics system.... might solve the problem of people stealing the submersible pumps!

Hi Glen, i love the burper! i have tried to build geyser pumps, and could never get the volume needed. I would be very pleased to receive the instructions... and will always explain to others that this is the "Glen Martinez creation”. My email is rob@austinaquaponics.com, thank you, Rob Nash

Hi Glenn,

This is great info. We are facing a similar problem in terms of missing pumps from time to time. This would be a great add on to our viewing systems especially. My email is arvindvenkat@gmail.com

Thanks again :)

Please email manual or post link. We are off-grid and current pump is draining solar/battery system. This sounds like exactly what we need! Thanks judy72612@yahoo.com  

Hi Glen,  I have been wanting to do an air lift myself.  You might be able to save me a lot of time.  I would be appreciate it if you would send me a diagram.  sjumper@juno.com.  Thanks

I will ask Natalie to send those out tomorrow morning.

Aloha Glenn!  I'm interested in your manual, please send.  I'm also interested on trying to connect a pump to an alternative energy source like solar power.  And when is your next open house?  I went last year and loved your talks!  

Still waiting Glenn - looking forward to your manual!

judy72612@yahoo.com

Thank you!

Hey guys, the manual of drawings was posted over a week ago on the web site!  I thought you would be building them already!

I subscribe to all of the activity on this entire forum via RSS, but I must have missed it. Do you have a link handy Glenn?

Did you post pictures as well as you mentioned here?

Hi All.  Crazy that you can't attach a document to a blog comment, isn't it?  Glenn sent me his manual and I've attached it to this page for downloading = http://aquaponicscommunity.com/page/glenn-martinez-aquaponics-manual.  Thanks, Glenn!  Your generosity is much appreciated.

Thanks Sylvia!

You can actually attach files to a blog post however. Glenn should be able to edit the original post and attach it as follows.

And to Glenn, that is some really cool work you have documented. Very much appreciated for sharing!

Question about the second last page titled "Tea Maker - Compost or Worm Tea" you note that "air flow will burp water until level E is reached, then back-flushes empty then automatically starts filling again."  Why exactly is this? I am not sure why E "triggers" this action to occur. Thanks!

As the pump, a little 24 watt pump that pushes 25 liters per minute it fills the bucket, at about 2/3 full there is about 3 gallons of water, since water depth creates pressure at 1/2 pounds per foot of depth, it is approaching the limit of what the pump can pump UP...so it finds the "back door" that is the off shoot pipe, I go from inch T fitting to a 3/4 reducer to a 1/2 inch pipe.....thus as the air goes out it accelerates, much like putting your thumb over the end of the garden hose, it shoots further.....anyhow, the air takes the easy path....now remember the 3 gallons of water in the bucket, with no air going up the pipe, it collapses and falls down....remember that water weighs about 8 pounds per gallons, so 24 pounds of pressure starts going down and follows the air that is going out the "back door" relief pipe. Set it up and amaze your friends.

I would like to invite everyone to go to http://videolearning.uhatoll.com/

It is the Univeristy web site for the ATOLL program....Aquaculture on line learning...

Take the free intro class and then sign up for the whole 90 video classes...cheap at $100 

If $100 is a problem, ask for a scholarship.....they are generous folks.

Aquaponics is the lead course...taught by me! The only non PhD on the program.

I promise you will like it. Nothing on the internet like it and nothing anywhere for $100!!!

Aloha,

Glenn

When you are ready I will send you the "graduate" design manual for the latest pumps....

Build one or two of these, no need to glue pipes....

Very cool. I guess it is mostly regulated by the strength of the pump, the plumbing size, and the volume of water in the overhead bucket. 

Glenn Martinez wrote:

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... since water depth creates pressure at 1/2 pounds per foot of depth, it is approaching the limit of what the pump can pump UP...so it finds the "back door" that is the off shoot pipe, I go from inch T fitting to a 3/4 reducer to a 1/2 inch pipe.....thus as the air goes out it accelerates, much like putting your thumb over the end of the garden hose, it shoots further.....anyhow, the air takes the easy path....now remember the 3 gallons of water in the bucket, with no air going up the pipe, it collapses and falls down....

I tried to go to http://aquaponicscommunity.com/page/glenn-martinez-aquaponics-manual but always redirect back to http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/. i can't find the manual for burp air lift. please email me the design at albertus_lien@yahoo.com . Thank you so much.

Manual sent to Albertus W on 25Sep2012

thank you very much. cool design

@Glen, I loved your air lift display at the conference and the video of the pump in action. I was amazed with the lift.

Earlier this year I built this high output air lift pump (3000 gph / 20 lpm of air) for a commercial AP system based on the design shown in the video . Unfortunately, the company decided not to use it. It needs to have a sump between 5.5 and 6 ft deep to run efficiently.  I don't have access to a sump or tank that deep to test the output.

@ all - Contact me if you would like a copy of the specs or if you're interested in purchasing it.

Air lift pomp from aquatechnobel.be on Vimeo.

A great design for aeration and circulation but I assume this doesn't lift more than a couple inches correct?

@Chris, yes, the lift is only a few inches. If I had a way to test it, I would play around with different elevations to see what type of output I could get. I think this is a great option for commercial systems.

Yes, makes sense for a commercial raft system if you can get the fish tank and the rafts level with each other. Should be quite efficient too.

WOW,  this is what I have been working on for several months,  yes!   Please send me the manual   halemart@gmail.com.

Have made 3 airlift pumps but want to see this design.

Terri Mikkola,

I am interested in your plans.   Thanks.

Here's a video showing how to make the air lift. It's in French The pvc pipe and fittings sizes are in metric and as far as I know there's isn't a distributor in the US. 

Posting a picture I found on the net of this setup.     Looks very interesting.   I have built other airlift pumps before but not one that has a check valve.    I hope we can get the file attached here to one of these messages both Silvia's and Glenn's links just take me back to the home page.   

I am wondering what type of check valve you need to use?     I have been looking and there are several listed on Amazon curious if one works better than another.

Heres the pic:

Ok, guys I could not sleep this morning, so I figured out how to get Glenn's file.

Here is a direct link

https://api.ning.com/files/42-Dtgkko9WM2AFmmz1GG0d1u3NwpvWiDPGBZBfg...

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