Harbor Freight has a little solar 'fountain' which looks like it's good for about 50 gallons per hour. The main point is aeration - when it gets hot put an airstone in with the fish.
I researched a few solar pumps and none looked stout enough for the task.
That being said, this is just my starter system to learn on. The next step is to really amp up the whole thing - something quadruple the size of this one or more in a larger greenhouse with full-on photovoltaic to power the pumps, the lights, a little heater if need be - the works. When I'm ready to go solar, I'm not gonna mess around. This setup is training wheels. The next project will be *permaculture*.
I try to avoid the chems. I use a little dechlor (1 ml/gal) but am planning to phase it out. Some bottles actually say not to use them on fish intended for human consumption so I have to assume that I don't want it leeching into my tomatoes. The good news is that the plants and biofilter clean the water for the fish so maybe there's less need for chems. Also, note that there are a lot of natural alternatives; sea salt, crushed sea shells, pine needles, etc.
Just a little updater here. I did phase out the dechlor chemical shortly after this, choosing instead to just use a chlorine filter. Seemed to work just fine.
Ok first let me say, very nice set-up. Second, I've decided to do one of my own. However, I just thought of a problem. I was going to use my aquarium with little fish in it for the water. However, we've been chemically treating the water with the chemicals from the pet store. I was wondering, would those aquarium chemicals be harmful to the plant? I'm afraid of some kind of weird thing that'll get me sick, if I eat the vegetables I've watered with the fish water. please help!
To my knowledge the quality of fish feed doesn't have an appreciable impact on the plant growth. I'm also not sure if one species of fish makes better poo than another. Then again, I'm clearly no expert - the whole point of this experiment is to prove that even a bonehead such as I can do this. There are several good resources online with actual experts who might be able to answer that better.
I run a 50 watt pump & am hoping to switch to solar at some point.
do the fish have to be fed a specific type of food in order to produce the correct food for the plants.how much does this thing cost to run ie electric cost of pumps, heaters etc.
Harbor Freight has a little solar 'fountain' which looks like it's good for about 50 gallons per hour. The main point is aeration - when it gets hot put an airstone in with the fish.
VolkgartenBySquirrel 3 years ago
Does it move 50 gph at a 7 foot head? If it does, I'm definitely interested.
arnolda14 3 years ago
I researched a few solar pumps and none looked stout enough for the task.
That being said, this is just my starter system to learn on. The next step is to really amp up the whole thing - something quadruple the size of this one or more in a larger greenhouse with full-on photovoltaic to power the pumps, the lights, a little heater if need be - the works. When I'm ready to go solar, I'm not gonna mess around. This setup is training wheels. The next project will be *permaculture*.
arnolda14 3 years ago
looking good- have you seen the solar pond pumps???
YouAdamNazzkl0wn 3 years ago
I try to avoid the chems. I use a little dechlor (1 ml/gal) but am planning to phase it out. Some bottles actually say not to use them on fish intended for human consumption so I have to assume that I don't want it leeching into my tomatoes. The good news is that the plants and biofilter clean the water for the fish so maybe there's less need for chems. Also, note that there are a lot of natural alternatives; sea salt, crushed sea shells, pine needles, etc.
arnolda14 3 years ago
Just a little updater here. I did phase out the dechlor chemical shortly after this, choosing instead to just use a chlorine filter. Seemed to work just fine.
arnolda14 3 years ago
Ok first let me say, very nice set-up. Second, I've decided to do one of my own. However, I just thought of a problem. I was going to use my aquarium with little fish in it for the water. However, we've been chemically treating the water with the chemicals from the pet store. I was wondering, would those aquarium chemicals be harmful to the plant? I'm afraid of some kind of weird thing that'll get me sick, if I eat the vegetables I've watered with the fish water. please help!
HippieKL 3 years ago
To my knowledge the quality of fish feed doesn't have an appreciable impact on the plant growth. I'm also not sure if one species of fish makes better poo than another. Then again, I'm clearly no expert - the whole point of this experiment is to prove that even a bonehead such as I can do this. There are several good resources online with actual experts who might be able to answer that better.
I run a 50 watt pump & am hoping to switch to solar at some point.
arnolda14 3 years ago
do the fish have to be fed a specific type of food in order to produce the correct food for the plants.how much does this thing cost to run ie electric cost of pumps, heaters etc.
bluestilton 3 years ago