Just starting out

[Gordon Keith Denman]

Hi Everyone

Wanted to say hi and let everyone know I am new here. I am just starting out and am really enjoying myself. Learning a lot and hopefully will see the fruits of my labor before to long. Hope everyone success in their endeavors.

[Jeff S]

I did a lot of research on the airlift and built a 2" version but didn't really spend a lot of time evaluating it. Sounded like a good idea. I may revisit it sometime. I wonder though how pumping cooler air into the water will affect the water temperature.

[Gordon Keith Denman]

Hi Jeff

That is a good point. I am putting a heater in my fish tank to control my temp. I have a pump on the way to replace the one I got that was cracked. I am set up to where I add O2 through my return automatically. So I really do not need an air pump but the added oxygen going to the plants would probably help them out.

[Jeff S]

I used to just aerate with my return water from the grow beds until one day my GFI faulted and I killed a couple dozen fish. I added an air pump but hooked it to a separate circuit so if one kicked out the other would supply O2. Ultimately a power backup would be best. I have the parts for one but haven't put it together yet.

Gordon Keith Denman said:

Hi Jeff

That is a good point. I am putting a heater in my fish tank to control my temp. I have a pump on the way to replace the one I got that was cracked. I am set up to where I add O2 through my return automatically. So I really do not need an air pump but the added oxygen going to the plants would probably help them out.

[Gordon Keith Denman]

I have been looking at a battery back up air pumps that will go into battery mode if the power fails, but none appear to put out enough on the battery operation side to handle anything bigger than a 20 gal tank. So I am looking at maybe a solar/wind turbine system which I would like to go to anyway. Just cost to much though. Those ugly catch 22 things.

[Jeff S]

Get a car battery, small charger, power converter(Harbour Freight), and power relay to switch on the convertor and you're in business. You could check this out too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX1OQZ1B6m0