Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi, I am new to the world of aquaponics and gathering info to start up a system this spring! I think this is a great hobby to be more self sufficient. You are all very inspiring! Keep up the great work.

My question today is about siphoning. Why siphon instead of just draining the grow beds? I read something about it being important to drain faster and fill the beds slower, so that must have something to do with it?

Also, when they say "the grow beds are filled and drained once per hour" (as in a chift pist system), does that mean the pump is flowing all the time (and it just takes an hour to fill and drain) into the beds or is it on a timer to fill and drain once each hour?

Thanks!

Hi TreviFountain, and welcome to the world of AP

Depends on the system you build, i.e. if pumping to GB's or Pumping to FT. Syphoning can be automated using a bell syphon and no power, timers or anything involved and is generally used when gravity feeding GB's or un-timed pumping to GB's.

Pumps generally run full time and yes it usually takes loner to fill than it does to drain but that is required to allow the plant roots to take up nutrients. Some people prefer to run constant flood so it never drains, just overflows.
Timers on pumps are usually used when running drain instead of syphoning, i.e. pump to fill the GB and may remain full for a while then pump turn off while it drains away.
The draining process draws oxygen down into the root zone and probably has other benefits with worms and breaking down of organic matter. But as some people use constant flood i guess it is not required.
My personal opinion is if it is leafy greens then constant flood is best, but if it is deep rooted then flood and drain. All my GB's are on Flood & Drain vie bell syphons, and i am about ready to commission my DWC (grown in water only) and soon my Grow Towers (which never flood).

Hope this helps.

The "Siphoned F&D v's Timed F&D v's Constant Flood" debate has been had quite a few times here... sometimes to great extent, below is the most recent. although not as extensive as some of the others from the past, it will give you an idea of some of the pros and cons: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=20221

Ford....... Holden......... Ford.......... Holden..........

You may not know holden, but But substitute it with any other car brand...

Ok, I see now! Thanks for the info and the thread link. Us newbies need to realize what things are up for debate/personal preference and can be hard to sort out in the beginning.

Here it is Ford vs. Chevrolet!!! So I totally get it.

Yep, they both get you from A to B...

Pfft. MOPAR or no car!!