Essential Guide to Choosing the Right Water Pump for Your Aquaponics System

Water pumps are the heart of any aquaponics system. They ensure that water flows through the fish tank, biological filter, and veggie growing area, creating a balanced and thriving ecosystem.

Here's what you need to know to choose the perfect water pump for your aquaponics setup.

Understanding the Role of Water Pumps

In an aquaponics system, water pumps are crucial for circulating water. While gravity can help with some of the flow, you will need a pump to ensure water is continuously moving through your system and back to the fish tank.

How to Choose the Right Water Pump for Aquaponics

What Type of Water Pump to Buy?

The size of your aquaponics system will determine the type of water pump you need.

Ideally, your water should flow through the entire system 2-3 times per hour.

This frequency ensures that the bacteria have enough time to convert the ammonia produced by the fish into fertilizer for your veggies.

For example, if your system holds 500 litres, you will need a pump with a flow rate of 1500 litres per hour.

Important Considerations

Head Height (Max Height)

Head height is the maximum height your pump can lift water. Cheaper pumps often have lower head heights.

For instance, if you're using an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) that is 1 meter high, your pump needs a head height of at least 110 centimetres.

It's better to have more head height than less, as most pumps come with a flow regulator to adjust the flow.

If the pump lacks sufficient power, it won't be able to lift the water high enough to get into your growbed.

Warranties

Pumps will eventually need replacement, but a good pump should come with a warranty.

A warranty indicates that the manufacturer expects the pump to last a certain period.

Without a warranty, you risk the pump failing within a few months.

Cost of Buying VS Cost of Running Your Water Pump

Oddly this is a little known gem of information. We all know that you get what you pay for right? A common thought, so if you buy a cheap water pump, it generally wont last as long. There may be trouble getting replacement parts, and even power adapters can be off.

But what about the costs of buying VS running?

In a cheap water pump, it is often more expensive to run them.

But there is good news, before you even buy your water pump, you can work out what the running cost will be.

All you need is the number of Watts per hour, which they all tell you, and your local electrical supplier website ~ as they have a calculator on there to determine usage costs.

Check out this video to see how you can find out what ANY appliance will cost you to run.

Types of Water Pumps

Submersible Water Pumps

For most aquaponics systems, submersible pumps are ideal. They are quiet and effective for small to medium setups.

Pressure Pumps

For larger systems, consider a pressure pump, which isn't submerged in water. These pumps are more powerful but also louder, so keep noise considerations in mind.

Check out this video to learn more about how to choose your water pump.

Final Tips

The water pump you choose will depend on the size of your aquaponics system. Keep these key pointers in mind:

• Ensure the pump’s flow rate matches your system size.

• Check the head height to ensure it meets your needs.

• Opt for a pump with a warranty for added peace of mind.

• Check the running costs and compare the Watts of the water pumps

By selecting the right water pump, you'll maintain a healthy, thriving aquaponics system.

Check out My YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'

Learn More About Aquaponics

Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.

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This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.

You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.

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Want to help out and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)

Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.

Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.

She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.

Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.