Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I like the Bell siphons , only problem with them is they can be noisy but there are ways around that

Alright, I've been looking at CHIFT PIST systems and I'm confused.

How would I go about setting it up? Cutting 2 IBC's vertically (top to bottom) to create 2 separate grow beds, making 4 grow beds, using 1 whole IBC as a sump tank and 1 whole IBC as a fish tank.

I'd be tempted to take that one IBC you have with the lid/cap and cut the top 30 cm off it to use as a fifth growbed, then use the rest/bottom if that ibc as the sump.

I would have also been tempted to do the same if I had the real-estate to place them, but it might require approval (SWMBO?) to have four identical GBs and one which is different!!

Chopping IBCs vertically can produce GBs with just over 400L of volume, if these are filled with 400L of media which holds say 40% water, then 4 of these GBs would require 4 x 400 x 0.4 = 640L of water to simultaneously flood, which doesn't leave all that much volume for some water in the pipework plus some depth for a submersible pump. I've done some maths somewhere else on the forum (I think??) for an "optimised" five GB solution, but in reaching that solution, I had to make some assumptions which Corey might not agree with, so I guess it would be better to start from scratch and include his limitations from the very start.


Scott

Jeez bunson.... so many levels of thought went into that didnt it

Be careful you might pop a vein in your head

Nah... that's the easy maths! The hard part comes when you have to justify the cost to the Treasurer!

I like this way:

Though running your main feederline from the fish tank to the growbeds, above the growbeds and not below like in the diagram.. Less chance for solids to settle in the pipe.

A screw cap at the end if the distribution line facilitates occasional cleaning, but this configuration simplifies the equal distribution of water by volume to each of the GBs. (In my last system like this I used to check weekly for settled solids, then it became monthly, then I stopped looking because there was never enough build up to be concerned with)

That's always the thing isn't it, every system puts out different results depending on fairly minor changes....

So 4 GB's would leave an empty sump?
Also, would it be possible to have a bell siphon system set up, that as one GB was pumped full, it would siphon out into the second, then the third, then the fourth and finally siphon back into the sump?

Or maybe a timer valve that will open/close while the tanks are being filled.
That way while the 1st pump fills and drains, the timer valve closes and the second opens. second tank fills while the first one begins draining and the water from the first will be available by the time it's time to fill the third.


Not even sure what I just said myself.

You could do away with the syphons and flood and drain with an indexing valve, you can get them from Rupe's site at Fresh by Nature

They look like this

How would that work? Sorry for my ignorance

No 4 GBs won't empty the sump, unless there was insufficient water to start with. Draw out your design for the system and plan where the water is going to be at any time.

The indexing valve is overkill in your system, but it works by directing flow to one outlet at a time, so you can do away with sumps or use smaller sumps but water many more Growbeds.

If you choose the right pump, you can have your system on a timed flood and drain, which saves some electricity and you won't need siphons.

I suppose you need to think about how far you are willing to take things. To bury a 1000L IBC sump tank is no easy task, especially if your earth is anything like mine. But if you have mechanical means (or a strong back).... well, go for it.


An indexing valve is just another option.... Im just spit-balling.