Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Why would my Bell Siphon take so long to start. I'm setting up 2 beds side by side. Both drains ( 3\4 PVC pipe) have an individual trap coming from each bed. They are tied into a 2 inch PVC tee and then run back into my sump tank. I'm new to this so If someone will tell me how to post a picture I can get a picture of the Bell Siphon set up and drain line set up.

Welcome to the forum.

Let the search function be your friend, look for key words and tick topic titles only and you will find threads on adding images and also about a gizzillion threads on bell syphons.

This will get you started on images..
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21754&hilit=images

If the siphon won't go... the flow is too slow!
If the siphon won't cease... the flow must decrease!

The siphon standpipe should extended vertically a few inches below the GB, then have an elbow, followed by a few inches of horizontal pipe to create back pressure, about 150mm for 20mm pipe, about 200mm for 25mm pipe etc.

These horizontals should dump the water into a non-airtight, large diameter return line (ie: 90mm DWV, coz it's cheap) that runs slightly down hill back to your FT or ST.

I feel like you have said this before, Hayden? lol

If I had a dollar...

**echo***
**echo**
**echo**
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I'm filling the grow bed with no media in it. Will that have an effect on it?

Yes

The first time I set mine up, I did it with no media. Got it working fine. Added media and it didn't work. Now, I didn't have to do a lot to make it work, but it did change it.

The media slows down the movement of water. It can make it break easier as the water can't get to the base of the stand pipe fast enough.

I've had good luck with siphons, except for the ones in the shallow grow beds. Those were tougher and I ended up running constant flood because the siphon's were more sensitive.