Backyard Aquaponics
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/

Grow Beds
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3797
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Dufflight [ Jul 13th, '08, 07:47 ]
Post subject:  Grow Beds

Okay I think I've got the principal of the auto sipon right, a diagram would be nice. My question is on the GB's when using barrels can you leave a couple of inches below the drain point so there is always a little water in the bottom. I do this with a lot of my other potted plants so if there is a pump failure the plant can still get water. I've had 3mtr tomato plants hit the deck when a valve failed before.

Author:  Outbackozzie [ Jul 13th, '08, 08:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Grow Beds

leaving water in the bottom of the beds is fine.

Image

Author:  EllKayBee [ Jul 13th, '08, 09:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: Grow Beds

Have to agree with OBO on this :roll: :D

All my GBs have ~25mm (1") left in the bottom after each drain has completed, the water inflow on the next flood cycle will mix and flush out the old water so no stagnant pockets should remain...it will also help the plants to survive in a failure as you pointed out

Author:  TCLynx [ Jul 13th, '08, 11:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: Grow Beds

You don't need to adjust the siphon in order to keep water in the bottom of a grow bed, siphons naturally leave some water in the bottom of most any grow bed, the amount will be related to the size of the siphon, the rate of flow through the media and if the system is continuous flow or now. You would be hard pressed to have a siphon drain a grow bed completely dry, there is usually at least an inch of water if not a couple left in the bottoms of most grow beds.

Author:  Outbackozzie [ Jul 13th, '08, 17:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Grow Beds

aaawww come on ell :D

Author:  TCLynx [ Jul 13th, '08, 21:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: Grow Beds

The diagram above is of a bell type auto siphon. Other types of siphons can be made inside or outside the bed using a loop of flexible tubing where the top of the tubing loop roughly corresponds to the high water mark. Or it can be done with pvc and elbows, again, with the top of the "hump" being what sets the high water mark. All auto siphons require a hole through the grow bed somewhere below the high water mark because the water has to be able to overtop the pipe in order to kick in the siphon.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC + 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/