solar aerator

[Mark Bailey]

 

I am currently setting up a backyard aquaponics system in Central Florida.  It is a hybrid system with a 300 gallon fish tank and has 32 sq ft of media bed and 32 sq ft of DWC area.  I have an aerator bar from my sump pump to the fish tank.  I am concerned with power going out on the circuit and not knowing it for a day or so.  How long can the fish take it without aeraton from the bar?  Would a solar power aerator be sufficient as a back up to aerate even if it does not pump at night?

[George]

The more fish you have, the more aeration you need.  I killed 95 fish in 24 hours due to no aeration - actually, they may have died in 2 hours, but I don't know..  

Now, I pump both from grid and from solar with solar/batteries backup.  

Even without solar, battery backup is a good thing.  Some have suggested pumping from batteries, with inverter and with battery charger always attached.  Then, when power goes off, pumping continues until batteries are dead. 

Do a search and you should find enough discussion to give you food for thought.

Good luck with your plans.  

[Alex Veidel]

They also have battery powered aerators. They detect power outages and start pumping air to keep your fish alive.

http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Series-Battery-Operated-Aquarium/dp/B0...

Not recommending that brand; just an example.