Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

Have an above ground pond for my wife's goldfish. Never had any trouble when it was inground but all I have is pea green water. Decided to try my hand to see if an aquaponic system would help.

Purchased a half poly container, put in a riser and a 20 mm outlet. My intention was to just let the water filer through the gravel and back into the pond. Threw in some lettuce and celery. Next day they were fried to a crisp. See first try.

Then I decided to add more pipe and direct water to the base of the plants. Worked much better. See second try.

Read info in the autosyphon area and decided today I would go that way. Connected 15 mm pipe to the outside fitting through a reducer. No way in the world could I get that sucker to work. It only dribbles. I was beginning to dislike both Steve and johnnie7au as they convinced me this was the way to go.

Then I tried plan B and changed to 20 mm pipe. Still no joy. I put a long piece on the end which actually went into the pond. I was going to cut it shorter when my wife popped out to see how I was going. (also has a cuppa to soothe the nerves). Sat down for a couple of minutes, next thing the grow bed empties. WAHOO!

Played around with it and found it worked better at a slight angle, rather than having the top of the syphon horizontal.

It worked perfectly every time, so silly me, I glued the fittings. The syphon dumped the water out but continued to flow. Methinks!! (brain hurting-then lightbulb). I decided to drill a tiny hole upwards into the pipe at the junction of the 90 degree bend to break the suction. Works perfectly. See third try.

Grow beds takes 6 minutes and 32 seconds to cycle from flood to flood. Empties in 60 seconds. I think my cycle times are too quick so I intend to divert some of the water back into the pond.

Thanks Steve, johnie7au and all the others for your valuable information.

LOL
Thought that was funny!
ZGlad to see it working - but be warned, this stuff is addictive! Keep us posted as to the progress of your system

with a dry wit like that, just knew u had to be a Qlder - keep the pics flowing

Ell

Hey there

............which pipe did you drill ur wee hole in?..... in the bottom(upwards) of the pipe between the last 2 bends?

Bundaberg kid,

Have attached a photo showing where I drilled the hole. Here's my theory on how it works. Water builds up in the syphon until it discharges. As my outlet is underwater, when the grow bed empties, back pressure forces water back into the pipe and air is drawn in at the hole below the 90 degree bend, effectively breaking the suction.

Unit has been running for 24 hours now and has worked flawlessly.

Anybody got any tips at to what a good cycle time should be?

Thanks
Jonty

Jonty, I'm not sure there is a BAD cycle, the main thing is turnover of fish tank water and aeration, figures for t/over is around 2-3 times per hour, my grow beds are cycling @ 6 mins and fish water 4/hr (900lph) - just what is comfortable

Ell

Thanks Ell,
Have had the system set up for a week, the pea green is gone and I can see halfway down. Goldfish in there I didn't know I had. May be scary if I get to see all the way to the bottom.
Jonty

Hi good people,
Have been through some heartburn with this system. Originally when I set it up the auto syphon worked great until the pond oveflowed.

If I had used commonsense I would have drained some of the water and gone back to normal. Instead I tried to improve upon the system and kept running into snags.

I used a carby jet as the break for the syphon but found at times the system would not kick in and suffer AP dribbles. Even tried dropping the tube coming from the jet down into the water to start the syphoning. This would work fine all day but would stop overnight. I suspected condensation in the tube was blocking it and stopped the cycle.

I ended up with a plastic stopper from an inkjet refill kit, pushed a pin through it and inserted it into the end of a inline a connecor then into the pipe.

Runs like a dream. Takes 7 minutes to fill and 45 seconds to drain completely.

Have attached some photos showing the stopper and plant growth.

This stuff is fun to play with. Hope to start on my new system soon.

Previous post should read.

I ended up with a plastic stopper from an inkjet refill kit, pushed a pin through it and inserted it into the end of a inline air connector then into the pipe.

Put new batteries in my keyboard. Speels betta now.

Great growth there Jonty

Dont be scared to pick some salad Jonty...it will grow back quick! Promise
LB

Wife is always at the tub picking. Eaten nearly all the lettuce. The celery are really taking off. I now have to collar them as she doesn't like them too green. Damn tomato is taking over and will need staking. Ah! another problem to deal with.

but good problems!

Hi,
I now have a 900 litre system up and running using a 20 watt continuous cycle pump. Decided to go with an auto syphon.

I used 25 mm pipe for the outlet with crenulations cut into the top and 50 mm pipe for the syphon.

I installed a T piece into the top of the syphon and run two pieces of air hose over the side.

A small pipe runs the full length of the syphon inside and is connected to the T piece.

After the syphon kicks off and the water drops below the level of the air hoses over the side of it, a venturi effect commences and additional air is drawn in, giving me the same effect as running an air pump and stone.

System has been running now for over a month and hasn't missed a beat.

Photos of auto syphon FYI.

Regards
Jonty

I take it the top photo is the 50mm syphon bell cap.... with the tee'd air tubing protruding?

Does it matter how far the tee"d tubing protrudes into the cap Jonty?