Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Auto syphons are brilliant the one I have in my barrel-ponics system is working fantastically well.. No, I haven't played any more with the ones on my new barrel system....

The beauty of the auto-syphon is it's simplicity. Here is an idea that is not as simple, based on the deer scarer.



If you have high outlet of your growbed at the flood level, and a low outlet with a mechanical valve that is linked to the deer scarer, both of which pour into the scarer. The bed floods and water flows out of the high outlet, filling the scarer which tips. The tipping of the scarer opens the bottom outlet via rope/string/chain connection to a mechanical valve. With the valve open the higher water flow keeps the scarer tipped. Once drained the flow drops off, the scarer returns to upright, closing the valve and starting the flood.

Obviously this wouldn't be suitable for muliple grow beds, due to cost. But for single and more ornamental system it would look pretty cool and may even work

Nice, bet it would look good on a koi pond with corresponding grow bed of veggies.

HEY!!! great idea

Is that what those tipping bamboo things are called Gav? A deer scarer?

Thats an interesting idea, working on a nicer variation of the barrel-ponics coke bottle theory...

Going to give AA's idea a go with my portable system (similar to the portable herb garden discussed in another thread).. will post pic later of my simple idea following AA's suggestions...

here is the idea in drawing format... any ideas or comments before I go making it?

Your line in. Make it so a 30 mm or what you use enlarges to a 60 mm or larger in the bed. This will slow the flow down so you don't damage plants.

Drill the enlarged inlet much the same as you would the drain so there's lots of water dispersal once the flow is in the actual bed.

Now, how are you emptying this, and filling it? Timers?

There is still a missing piece. Return needs to be an auto syphon or the inlet needs to be on a timer or switch. You'll just wind up with beds that dribble through, or even floods.

yep, I have a timer which will go for 10 min on then 10 min off........
The emptying will work like Eb's flood and drain, filling up and slowly draining out (useing a stand pipe)

No worries. Just timing the pump right.

I know nothing of timed water systems having a bit of a penchant for streams so if anyone else can chime in here feel free.

I think it sounds fine.

How big is the bed?

bed size is 60cm by 35 cm

Yep that'll work easy.

Ta, thank

I've been doing this exact thing (plus a couple other tricks with water flow) for over two years now. I'll have to have Joel send me the directions for posting pics here.

Trav.

Hmmm... pipe within a pipe ...

I am thinking add a specially configured "lid" and you have another version of an auto siphon rather than the "swan neck" variety.