Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Furthering on from Jimbos airlift thread viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11703

Ok, this is just a pictorial brainstorm, totally open for critique.

Squint and it should make sense.. remember, visual brainstorm!

I have to make a set of airlifts using only what i have spare in the greenhouse.

Overview:

- the sketch has air stones but after chatting with Jimbo, they wont be there, open hose is the go.

- the bell consists of a 100mm cap on the top and bottom of a piece of 100mm pipe.

- holes will be drilled into that 100mm pipe lining up with the bottom 25mm T pieces for water inlet.

- twin air hoses per lift, inserted into the bottom of the 25mm caps.

- theoretically the air rushes up through the bottom T drawing water in through the T opening and up the pipe.

- after (with luck) the water is lifted up to the outlets, it is 45deg'd into a a 100mm barrel with 40mm outlet left and right.

- it is my HOPE that i can get a 100mm head on it....in fact it's a bit of a necessity.

- i have the option of a third air hose into each, however, i would preferrrrrrr not to.

Any thoughts or ideas? does it look the mustard or crash and burn?!

Thanks..

Porter... I may be a dunce... and engineering is not my strong suit... but where are your air inlets going?

I see t-connectors top AND bottom... is that right?

I am assuming there is an air stone in each of the three 25mm vertical pipes

Hi! Certainly no dunce Dancinhrblady!!!!

Yep, there are two T pieces, top and bottom, the top is as per Jimbos design, and from what i have read myself, having a T at the top in opposed to an elbow equates to more efficient water flow.
I would say its because when the water and air reach the top, the air continues upward and out, where the water finds the path of least resistance and exits out of the T and on to a more meaningful life where it can met someone nice and settle down.

Where an elbow is used, both the air and the water compete to escape, reducing water pressure...i think.

The T at the bottom of my drawing, (i hope) will allow the air to rush upwards drawing the water into the T from the side, in opposed to sucking it up from the bottom... I THINK, from playing around, it increases the water flow. BUT i am not certain yet. I could be terribly wrong!

Werdna, my drawing has (blue) air stones however, Jimbo has shown that the lift is more efficient if the stones are removed and it is just from the air hose. I am yet to find my eraser and correct this!

Thanks for your input!

Any thoughts?

Oops, didnt see them

I tested the airstones v straight air a few years ago and found airstone more efficient.

If you have the airstones in hand, by all means test both ways. My setup worked best one way, but any variables in the equation may affect yours differently. Also, I just tried the little aquarium purpose stones that came with the pump. A better airstone(s) may actually improve water flow in mine, but I never pursued that.

All Good Jimbo, i am going with open hoses i think.
It is less obstruction in the pipe and as i only have a max depth of water of 900mm i am going to need all the flow i can get!

Thanks Mate