Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am thinking about a system that would require around 300 gallons of GB. My initial plan was to use the Rubbermaid Stock Tanks in the 50/60 gallon range, and this would obviously require approximately 6 tanks. I am also planning on a CHIFT-PIST system so the ability of staggering the fill sequence is not important at this time.

Is there any compelling reason to plumb each of these 6 tanks with its own supply line and bell siphon?
Would it be possible to just connect these tanks with a tube near the bottom between each of the tanks?
Is it worth framing up a single long tank with a liner?

I am certainly trying to keep the overall system as simple as possible and the thought of reducing the number of connections seems to make quite a bit of sense...

If there are any search terms that have already covered this, I am most interested.

If you plumb... and flood & drain all six tubs... as a single interconnect unit...

Then you'll be draining down your fish tank by about 300gallons.... so you'd need a fish tank of at least 600-800 gallons...

Personally... I think you'd be better plumbing them separately... or in pairs...

If you're running Chift Pist... then presumably you will be pumping continuously... flooding 300gall would obviously require a pump rated to do that volume within a set time...

And siphons to drain that volume in a given time...

Which all needs to be calculated and factored into your pump selection and siphon/drainage sizings....

Just don't see the benefit myself...

Ok, with smaller beds, you spend more money on plumbing parts. However, interconnecting all the beds might not save you on plumbing really since you will need to make sure the interconnects are plenty big enough to allow the flow to equalize among the beds and the extra large plumbing and fittings will cost enough extra to offset the benefit.

Actual larger beds can probably save you some on the plumbing but interconnecting them is not the same as a larger bed.

There are some possible issues with framing out a bed and using liner but indoors in your climate, it probably isn't such a big danger (I had termites and carpenter ants cause leaks in a couple lumber liner grow beds outdoors in Florida as some of the posts in contact with the soil were really old and provided a good path for the termites.)

I would recommend the larger stock tanks but in your situation, you might not have the height to make it work all that well.

Hi to everyone: Test results proved that interconnecting of GB's is not successful. With a BS on one and using 50mm connecting pipe (which I assumed would give drain back to the bell) resulted in the BS cycleling and the other bed was only half empty.

Now I have individual BS's on each GB, draining into 90mm stormwater PVC and back to the sump.

Hope this helps.

MERRY XMAS TO ALL APPERS

Well, it's always worth trying new things - I reckon AP is loaded with things that have yet to be tested and re-tested.

Well done!

I was concerned about the levels in the beds, exactly as you have described. As also mentioned, the increase in tubing and connections would still create failure points as well, so I guess it makes sense to simply build the BS's... I think that once I have built one of these and implemented it, the duplication won't seem like such a big deal. It also does allow more freedom in the layout of the GB's...

My system has 4 beds just like yours connected like the top picture, and using the same connection as a loop siphon which siphons from all 4 tanks at once. - see photos below - The verticle pipe at right of top image is the exit point of the siphon - we fill by spreading inflow water into each bed - this works fine to siphon the whole bed.
and

ajajaj I look at those pictures and do my eyes deceive me? is that duct tape you are using to 'glue' the pipes together?

By the way, nice system.

ajajaj,

well there you go another variation. So what I see is the BS to drain and create the syphon via the loop and the water is then sucked out of the other 3 beds. Very ingenious.