Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello, I'm setting up my first system. I have a 275 gallon IBC tote for my fish tank, 3 IBC grow beds and 2/3 of an IBC as a sump tank. From the sump tank, I have 1" PVC running to my fish tank and I have 3/4" PVC returning water to my grow beds and sump tank. The pump I'm using is an Active Aqua 1000 GPH pump.

Thus far I my auto siphons seem to be performing correctly, but the problem I am having is the pump is pumping faster than the water feeding my grow beds, so my sump tank empties too quick and my fish tank is overflowing.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLjnx0BTWoU/Uz3iZvWnMNI/AAAAAAAAArw/GrvQt6xc0zU/s1600/IMG_3775.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KwemwCIdmCc/Uz3iTQaCovI/AAAAAAAAAro/j1_MV8FN72Q/s1600/IMG_3779.JPG

I included links to my project, any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Alison

The losses from the pump, forcing water uphill through 1" inch pipe are not as significant as the losses gravity feeding water downhill through 3/4" pipe and fittings: install larger bore piping from the FT to the GBs; I'd also install a distribution manifold as it alleviates the need to use throttle valves.

You'll find your siphons will perform differently when you've added the media, and you might not be pumping your sump dry... which is why we plan the build and build the plan.

Hi there, I think i understand your problem. Would you be able to put a t-peice in your sump line and direct some water by means of a control valve back into your sump?

I'll try a t-piece and see if that works; thanks for the advice; too bad it will be raining for the next 5 days

No problem. Good luck.