Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have an IBC system with a single GB, as well as a pump/siphon system flowing through 2-30Gal tanks and a 10 Gal. I use the tanks for breeding. My chem levels are all fine. Fish are doing well and such, but plants have declined in production significantly over the last 6 months. My bell siphon gets checked every couple of weeks and I have had to readjust flow a lot lately. I was planting my early spring crop and noticed the water level doesn't really go down when the siphon kicks in. I am using a 3/4" drain with a 1 1/2" bell. I should also mention I have red wigglers in the system as well. Do I need to increase the size of my bell siphon to increase suction force or do I need to somehow flush my media without screwing up the bio filtration?

So the siphon kicks in but the water level doesn't drop... Have you been regularly turning the outer gravel guard to stop root intrusion into the siphon set-up?

If there aren't roots inside the gravel guard you may well have a root mass around the gravel guard, especially if you've planted tomatoes or other plants with extensive root systems near the siphon... or the holes/slots in the gravel guard could have extensive build up of bio-film... or there could be a build up of bio-film or other debri in the drain pipe.

You may just need to dig the gravel away from around the gravel guard and remove any roots etc.

Also, with a 3/4" standpipe I would be using about a 2.5" bell or larger.

Go with what Mr Damage says, but another question, what media are you using?

And do you have worms or anything in there to eat up things like the roots from previous season?

Media is pea gravel. I have cut out all the roots as you suggested. I will change the bell, but in all my years in landscaping I never saw pipe sizes in the 1/2" after you get to 2". But I will look in the conduit section as well. Thank you for your help. I'll let you know what transpires.

So I changed my bell to 2", since I can't find 2 1/2. Admittedly, it's much less of a pain than the 1 1/2. Might try 3", but my media guard is a 3", so I have to do some digging. Still not draining right. I'll try turning the gravel, but I have to wait until I pull the plants in the problem area.

With your gravel guard, are the holes in t big enough to let lots of water through?

Yea. The bed used to drain fine. I'm changing the gravel guard to a bigger diameter and putting in a 3" bell tomorrow. There is one spot that doesn't seem to drain, but I don't want to pull the bean plant that is there yet. I'm thinking I need to cut roots up in that area. The weird thing is, it's the least used spot in the GB, due to lack of sunlight

Hi Korvhaal,
I have the same problem with 1 of my 8 GBs.
It used to work fine. There is nothing blocking the media guard or root build up. I have a 25mm siphon pipe, 90mm bell & 150mm media guard. I have messed around with water flows to no avail.
Let's hope someone can shed some light!

After reading about gravel guards being pulled out of the gravel, I very sensibly (NOT) put two little screws to ensure it can be pulled out of its cap, AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE TURNED. Bummer...