Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am hoping to make a few grow beds (200 ltr blue barrel halves, separated vertically) draining to a single sump tank with bell siphons. Is it correct to assume that each of the return line from each bell siphons must run separately to the sump tank? How long the horizontal part of the return line can be without causing problem to the running of the bell siphon? Is there any design that will allow a less messy piping (any way to join the return flows with bigger return pipe or something)?

Thank you.

There is likely more information needed to completely answer the question.. but..

IF the drain line is large enough, then all should be OK..
the opposite is that if the drain is too small, then it could stifle the Siphon flow and thus stop it prematurely..

So the answer is likely to have say 25mm Auto-Siphons, into 50mm drain and with a fair slope..

IMHO..

PS - I re-note your comment about the beds being separated vertically, making it easier to use a single return..
Just be sure to have a vent at the top, so that the actual drain cannot become a Siphon in itself..
..
.

As Buidoi said ^
However i would change that to "to be safe, for every 25mm syphon add 25mm to your main drain, starting at 50mm"

Yep, and make sure there's a break (air allowed in to the large common drain so it doesn't apply negative pressure).

Mine works slightly different, and as long as the return line is thick enough, I can have as many beds on one return line.

The fat pipe coming out of the ground is open to the air, and the siphon drains direct into that. It's about 30cm above where the outlet drains into the FT, so gravity does all the work.


You can see here where it comes out.



Like I said, I've got this pipe hooked up to 5 beds, over a probably 20 meter length.




The all the pipes can be hidden away nicely.

(The pipe over the top is removed as well)

Thank you guys, you have been very helpful. I especially appreciate the photos, Colum Black-Byron, it really helpful to actually see it. Thank you so much.

There is also another way.

Sorry about the repetitveness and slow talking in the vid, you get that with americans though. :laugh:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9B9c_QLD-E