Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I just setup a homemade system and need help with too much water flowing in or not enough flowing out...

I'm using a power-head from the aquarium to fill (4) 4" PVC tubes in an "S" pattern that will hold the plant baskets. It's a 1/2" ID line into the first tube, then each tube is connected to the next with 3/4" ID tubing. The last tube empties back into the aquarium via a 3/4" ID tube as well.

When I first ran the setup as described, it didn't flow through the 3/4" tubes quick enough and ended up rising up through the first tube's basket-holes. I then tried putting a valve between the inlet and the first tube to throttle it down, but it only either just delayed things or had to flow VERY slowly to keep from rising.

I'm wondering if I need to elevate the inlet side of each tube, use a bigger size connection between tubes (perhaps 1" or 1 1/2"), or something else?

Any suggestions? I'm assuming this type of problem isn't that uncommon. At least I hope I'm not the first!

Pics would be helpful but there really isn't enough information to figure this out either way. How many gallons is the powerhead pumping. Is the powerhead the only pump in the system? It makes a difference whether the pump is pumping directly into the PVC lines or is only pumping into a container that drains into those lines (is it gravity flow through the pipes or not?). Where is the pump located, how high is it pumping.... Rather than the first inlet, you can put a T in the PVC pipe from the pump and then put a ball valve on the section coming out of the T to regulate the flow - that might be enough for you to adjust the flow down the way you need and will aerate the water for the fish.

Oops got to go - might have missed something , sorry if it's a bit scattered