Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

And wouldn't it also encourage algae on the gravel?

Definitely need a pic of the siphon (or a drawing) to see how you have it set up...are you using a loop of bell type siphon ?

hello cityfarmer!

I am a fellow Filipino residing in Pque and I am interested in building my own aquaponic system. Can I see your system? You can email me at emil.dillera@gmail.com or SMS me at 09178370829.

Thnks!

Definately turn the growbeds pipes around - or you will end up with green goo ontop of the gravel.

Hi all,

It has been a long time since i last posted here, work is getting in the way :>

I managed to fix my flood and drain system, it's working now but still not perfect. Trial and error is still the best way to learn :>. I'll post pics and drawings soon.

Outbackozzie: thanks for the advise, ill flip the pipe.

dekra: nice to hear that you want to start you own system. I'll be glad to help you and you can see my system.

Here is a drawing of my siphon. If i read correctly this is a bell siphon?I was able to sort out my siphon problem. it now starts as it shoud. The problem i had it that my drainpipe was to long. The GB sometimes overflowed before the siphon kicks in. I cut the pipe to a shorter length and it now works.

Having seen how it works, I think that my growbed is not draining fast enough. it takes around 2-3 hours to drain once it fills up. So what happens is that at a given time there is always an ample water level on the growbed. Is this ok? The outflow is not strong enough to defeat the inflow. is there anyway to increase the outflow? currently i'm not using a air tube, the siphon breaks by itself. Will adding a n air tube increase the outflow?

Is there a drawback if water is retained in the GB for around 2-3 hours even though the pump is constantly pumping water into it?

CF... it would be easier to adjust your inflow....plumb in a branch from your pump, back to your tank (or sump - if that's where you're pumping from), to bleed off some of the flow... will also add extra oxygen....

If you add extra beds later ... they'll reduce the flow anyway... you can always take out the "branch" line.....

Draining the growbed faster can be acheived by either drilling more holes in the standpipe... fills the siphon quicker... or enlarging the syphon/standpipe pipe diametres

You certainly don't want your water level above the surface of the growbed media... certainly not for long periods of time... if this is the case lower the height of the inner syphon pipe... so that it initiates when the water level gets to about 25mm below the height of the growbed media.....

You could run the system as a "continuous flow" system rather than "flood and drain"... but you'd probably need to provide air supply to the growbeds....

Try some of the above first and post back.... see if it makes a difference not only to your drain times... but to how your plants respond...

Forgot to mention CF... other way to limit your flow to the growbed is to install a valve... gate-valve, ball-valve.... whatever they may be called over in your neck of the woods....

... put it just before the growbed supply line... and adjust the flow rate accordingly...

Can also employ the "branch" return line as well if both are needed...

good idea RupertofOz.

I now have two options:
1.)attach a bleeder
2.)attach a timer

I have some questions about timers though:
1.)Will it consume more electricity?assuming that starting a pump eats more electricty.So stopping and starting the pump multiple times a day will eat more than running it 24 hours a day?don't know the truth behind it but i heard some hearsay...can anyone confirm?
2.)Will it significantly reduce the lifespan of the pump?more wear and tear maybe?
3.)Is it dangerous?Do timers tend to induce fire,spark or flames?My pump is 1/8 horsepower, and i am quite hesitant that the timer can handle the load. I'm willing to try it since i have a exclusive fusebox before the pump.

Others may be more qualified to answer CF... but from the little I know...

If your beds are taking 2-3 hours to drain... then you could add a timer that ran for however long it takes to fill.... then off for the 2-3 hours (or thereabouts) it takes to drain... etc....

So you'd only be running the pump 8-10 times a day... can't see that it would draw anywhere near the power of running continuously...

Obviously, how many times you'd run will alter if you adjust the drain times as mentioned before...and/or if you alter the inflow with valves/bleeder line

From what I've been told ... yes... you can shorten the live of your pump by turning it on and off.... depends I believe on the pump, whether it's in-line, submerged, rated continuous etc....

What make/model pump is it.... people will be able to advise you better than I can for a specific pump....

What's your pump rated at... power/draw wise.... sure Steve and others could advise you on what sized fuse/breaker you'd require to ensure it runs safely...

If you are concerned about the current rating of the timer, use the timer to run a relay. If you are not comfortable with wiring it yourself check with a local mechanic that you trust or maybe an amateur (ham) radio operator. Or heck send me a pm and I'll help you through it. I'm both of the things I mentioned...

Nice to finally be able to contribute something!

I feel like I already know many of you!!

I was too busy to respond to this last night CF.

A 120v 1/8 HP pump will use around under 150w.

A 240v 1/8 HP pump appears to use under 100w.

These figures are just what I can find on google from 1/8 Hp pump, but any timer can handle that sort of power - mine does

746 watts to the horse-popwer ,, 1 eighth equals 94 watts.
Doesn't change for 240 or 120 V.
But current does ,, for 240 V 100 watts , you're looking at less than half an Amp.
At 120 Volts less than one Amp.

Just to clarify, are pumps rated by the power they use or the power they produce?

Electrical Power used

Pretty much any timer wil be fine.