Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been reading a lot of talk about siphons recently and I just wanted to get an idea of who has been running siphons and whether they have run continuously for extended periods of time without problems.

I've run loop siphons in half barrels and also pipe siphons in a barrelponics system over the years, but...... They would always stop working at one point or another. The barrelponics siphon made from pvc pipe had a breather hose and worked really well, but every 3 months or so it would stop it's cycle and just run out at the same rate as it's in flow. Generally it was simple to fix, the pump had slowed it's flow because of leaves, or something was blocking the breather hose etc... Loop siphons I had even more troubles with...

I've heard of people buying Murrays kits having some issues with the same thing, 1 bed stopping the siphon cycling while another keeps going. I know that Monya started to sell systems with siphons but stopped because of similar problems.

So does your system run with siphons? And if so, what is the longest period of time that your siphon has kept going without any intervention, and yes, I mean any intervention, including cleaning the pump etc...?

I don;t mean this to degenerate into a pro/anti siphon debate, I know there are many people using siphons and they love them, this is about working out the most idiot proof systems..

We no longer do syphons on our kits/systems as people generally don't get how they work, and can't be bothered fiddling eith them,,, so timers are the go. We have a one bed system here that runs on a bell syphon, we touch it regularly to adjust the pump flow or clean out the pump,. the frackin things are so dependant on the right flow rate... I would say on average, it needs fiddling once every 2 months.

Yeh, I have used Murrays siphon system. Don't like it at all. Told Murray they were crap but he told me that he didnt know of anyone else with this problem. I have a commercial system that I bought off Murray that is set up as a flood and drain. Works without a problem. Also have a smaller 1000 litre system for my fingerlings that I bought from Murray. This was set up with the siphons. I found that they always blocked up or would start emptying the growbeds before they were not even half full. I also had issues with them not even emptying and my growbeds overflowing. I converted them to flood and drain about 9 months ago and havent looked back.

My advice is ditch those siphons and use flood and drain. I have never had one issue with the flood and drain system. Had plenty of issues with the siphons. In my opinion Murray Hallams beds and tanks are the best quality in Australia and he is also switched on when it comes to aquaponics, BUT I think that the siphon system is CRAP and unless u do not have a life and can be bothered checking and cleaning them every other day, I wouldnt touch them.

The main issue I have is not with the siphons themselves but with the change in water flow due to build up of gunk in my grow bed supply pipes or on the bottom of my SLO.

If I clear this out the siphons kick back in without touching them. Usually have to do this every month or so. No real issue they work fine.

Siphons are really good .. OK a bit of fiddling now and again, (which is really entertaining if the bugger stops mid beer and you have had more than enough before the prob arises).

Siphons also provides something to do for those among us who like me need some stimulation now and again.

Stimulus is to make sure that you can get out of doing chores and be given permission to potter about responding to AP problems as they arise. ... ( Darling .. if I don't fix it the fish will croak!"

but I reckon a 5 buck timer beats the hell out of siphons. (Don't tell my wife ... )

Flood and drain via a 5 buck timer gets my vote!

Regards

Johnnie

I've had some siphons going okay from the start and some that play up. I drill drain holes in the bottom of the stand pipe now just in case.

On the 1000ltr gb it has used a 40mm bell siphon without fail since it was installed over 6months ago. A few of the 380ltr beds still have loop siphons that work every time. I do prefer the fload and slow drain on a timer. And unless the gb is large this is the way I'll go with new beds.

Even though I love siphons, and use them alot - there is no growth difference long term in growth between my barrels that have a standpipe, and those with a siphon. As C1 will probably point out, even growbeds that stay flooded 24/7 grow really well.

Siphons:

Cost more.
Fiddly.
Sorta unreliable (causes no damage though).
Invisible drain pipe (hard to see if there is anything starting to block up the drain).


Standpipe:

Cheap.
Reliable.

I have always said to use siphons, but now after a lot more experience, I wont use them in future growbeds.

I dont think either way is better in regards to growing, or solids distribution within the beds. Oxygenation would be similar in either way also. Siphons give a rapid oxygenation, standpipes give a prolonged aeration. Its the same both ways.

But siphons still sound cooler

A 5 buck timer and chift pist the way to go [ timer and standpipes been running 2 years no problems]

Auto siphons (regardless of preference between Bell or Loop) are fool proof, mechanically independant, visual, idiot proof and disregard electrical interfence. They don't rely on timers, operational flow or temperature. Why you would disregard their efficiency is beyond my belief, I must be missing something.
Cheers IanK

Its only because sometimes they don't work, become blocked etc need adjusting due to pump slowing down because of restrictions. No system is 100% fool proof.

Do you run them in your system so far there isn't a person who has one running for more than 6 months without having to fiddle with them
Also theres timers that have been running 3 years no problem

Ian

have u ever used flood and drain?

OK I'll shut up.
Yes I'm using Autos on my little trial system, for about
3 months. No plants or fish yet, so I'll bow out with my unproven system.
I have tested and trialled many systems over the past 6 months, with clear tubed loop siphons proving to be the best "operational" system.
Anyone got a way to negate Algae?
Thanks and goodbye.
IanK

In the siphons. Use black pipe instead of clear.

I told you I was going to shut up!!
Do not tell me logical things after I have expressed my opinion. I can't take being shown up as being an idiot!!
Thanks for your kind words
Cheers IanK