Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I didn't put in that the loop siphon is inside the 50mm pipe

Yeah, was just thinking about it (and editing) ....



Yes and no I'd have thought though Kuda.... from the diagram unless the sump is pumped below the level of the barrel outlet there will always be some water in the barrels....

Beginning to think it might not be a big problem with stagnation of the water is turned over freequently, but does effectively remove the "oxygenation" step of water returning to the sump.... maybe this is balanced by the extra oxygenation of returning extra water to the main fish tank.....

Still have a little niggling doubt though

If the sump will be big enough, and some big ppl said it wouldn't be then the barrels are unnecessary. If the sump is not big enough, then the 800L will drain from the barrels no probs.
Else, if they always have a bit in them, the end one will be the worst cos it only has 1 gb flowing through it, But even then, the GB will hold 150L by the look of the proportional sizes. so every time the GB fills, the barrel is flushed.
I can't see it as being any different to water sitting in a sump or FT for 50minutes between pumps as many ppl run their systems.

Humm... that's the little niggling doubt though Kuda.... unless you drain below the level of the outlet when pumping from the sump... that wont happen...

Thus the barrels will retain at least some water constantly... will the action of the siphons from the growbeds be enough to, with the rise in the sump eventually raising above the barrel outlet pipe, to force enough water mixing to prevent stagnation and/or depletion of oxygen?

In short, I believe: yes.

I hear what you're saying Kuda, but looking at the diagram the outlet to the sump is very low....

Wouldn't you have to effectively pump the sump nearly empty to drain the barrels?

Then, depending on your cycles the flood may already be in process and the next siphon starting before the barrels have had a chance to empty anyway... rising/equalising above the barrel outlet???

Lungy, are you going to pump continuously, by timer or have a "chist pist" system?

Roz, if that's a problem


If the sump is not going to empty at least 800L, why would these two prominant (not that you're opinion doesn't weigh a tonne too Rope :-) ) members suggest a larger sump?

Wanted a chift pist running continuously Rupert

Gotta love those acro's

The drain outlet would be about 300mm above floor level of sump so would never really be above the sump water level but will be pulling water from the barrels as the water equalizes.

I have enough overhead in pump to tee off to oxygenate the sump plus will tee off to strawberry towers & return water to sump.
Also some half barrels above sump will add some more growbed space & siphon back into sump as well.



25mm plumbed to top of barrels be sufficient ?

Perhaps some added aireation will help with any stagnation problems or ensure it does not occur. I do like the design for more then one reason. In my area it would be good in that it adds some thermal mass.
One maintenance task I see that may arise is that after continued use a back flush or flush of the barrels may be needed.
I have been running three barrels connected together feeding low and exiting hgh in a cascading design? This is for thermal mass not sump enlarge ment.
Your design of increasing the sump capacity should give you more time between having to replace water due to evaperation as well.
Maybe if you just regualarly run the sump low before adding water to system after averperation that would take care of the possible need for a back flush?
I do not envey your digging ahead. have you any plans on what you will use for back fill to cover the barrels?

WYTAW !!
hint tv show different strokes

Would insulate barrel and back fill with dirt covered with gravel.
They will be only a inch or so under the surface.

Never disagreed with the prominent members or the suggestion that a bigger sump may be needed in any way Kuda... can't find any suggestion that I did

The question I raised was entirely different and as Lungy has confirmed that it's intended to run a continuous pumped chift pist system, then I think the question I raised is even more valid....

If the system was just being returned to sump with chift pist it would receive some oxygenation as the water returned and any solids, suspended matter would perhaps settle out into the sump...

No problem as the pump in the sump would probably pick it up anyway or perhaps wouldn't have a chance to settle as the pump is going to be run continuously. If it was a problem then the sump could be stirred occasionally as suggested by others.

But as the sump may not drop below the 300mm level, the barrels may not exchange all their water and any solids, suspended material could settle out into the bottom of the barrels..... possiblely, with lower oxygenation occurring, leading to a possiblity of anaerobic conditions...

Time will tell when the drain cycles times and actual sump low levels are determined.

Don't get me wrong, I like the design concept... just I have some niggling concerns as to possible problems.

I'd be quite happy to hear the opinions of other prominent members though

The question I asked, and I said you implied it, was that if the larger sump is needed. I would imagine that it would be used.
If it's not needed, then the barrels are not needed.
so if more than 1000L is needed, then surely 1000L will be used, which coincidently is about the amount stored in the barrels and the top 300mm of the sump.
So, (by my logic) unless they're wrong, you are. I can't see it as being anything else.
Perhaps my logic is flawed, but this argument has gone on long enough, I give you right of reply, and the last word