Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am set up to split the return water, that's no probs. Just that if it all goes out of the poly and to the beds then back to the vat, the poly misses out on aeration from the return water. ATM, the blue barrel over the vat with continuous pump thru perlit and hydroballs sorts out the aeration for the vat.

Seems like the 90mm pipe would sort me out. Ta

Tim, I would have to drill thru the steel and insulation and inner steel of the vat, so that's not an option for me, but a valid idea all the same Thanks!

As Tim said, you will probably get a build up of air - so just refill it occasionally, try once a week and see how much air is in the pipe and then extend the periods, the siphon will take a lot of air (especially 90mm pipe) before it stops working

would a small say 6mm hole in the top of the pipe with a bit of clear tube in it as an air bleed work?

It will let air in - put in the 6mm tube with a tap on it and suck all the air out of the tube, as air builds up, the tube will fill with air (this is an "indication")

repeat the sucking motion step (this is called "removing the indication")

Hint: make sure tube is clear plastic (this is called "seeing the indication")
Hint2 : turn tap on/off at the appropriate time (this is called "common sense")

howzat

Sorry, I meant with a cap or nail stuck in it or something like that, then take the nail out to bleed it.

Gravity would take over and the water will fall in the pipe and suck in more air as soon as you pulled "the pin" or if sufficient water flow a venturi effect untill water stopped - then the above would happen

You have to decrease the air pressure on the water ie "suck up" the tube and remove the air that way

Should be able to get a tap from an aquarium place and "clear" tubing to match, size is not important - just the capacity of your lungs

okay, cool, ditch the air bleed idea. Will construct the poly syphon tomorrow and report back.

Here's a little piccie to help: ( I certainly missed my vocation), if you make the tubing long enough, you can watch the air removed as you suck

you're a champ! I've got ya! Reckon I have a tap for air line in the shed. Gald I haven't had anyone taking a wizz in my system, might be copping a gob full soon LOL

Right! - you do that, after I finished submitting plans to council, thanks Mon

To take out the siphon pipe once a month and top it up with water is not that difficult

In that case, have the tube leading from the tap veerrrryyyyyy long, you can also remove it after shutting off the tap so "children" don't play with it
:sunny:

What I do in the sphon for my sump is run a peice of clear tubing up one side of the syphon itself. You can build it with the clear tubing in there. If you suck it should remove all the air trapped in the top.

I can't see how you are getting added aeration. You ARE putting this in place as well as the bottom pipe, because I would hate to think what would happen if it loses the syphon.