Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Isn't that what I said?...

So I can decrease the stand pipe diameter as a solution that won't decrease F&D time? Sounds like I need to combine slower flow with smaller siphon. So maybe 1/2" or 1/4" standpipe? I'll keep my proportions similar to the affnon method, just gotta get the stand pipe right. Still considering CF though

As Yavimaya said:Larger standpipe dia = more GB in-flow required = shorter F&D cycle times
Smaller standpipe dia = less GB in-flow required = longer F&D cycle times

The 15mm PVC standpipe is the smallest I would use... unless you can get rigid 1/2" that is easy to plumb... I definitely wouldn't use 1/4"

I've seen some things about ideal F&D times but not much. Is there a good way to determine how long it should take your bed to fill and drain? Only one I've heard is somewhere near 5 minutes but that didn't seem like a reliable source

I personally don't worry about how long it takes, just as long as the siphon is making and breaking. The beauty of siphons is that they all have heir own character. None of my GBs take the same amount of time.

Rang Aquablue to buy some perch, they told me the mussels they stock are these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velesunio_ambiguous

twiztid_blunt

If your still reading this thread, Here is the device that makes siphons stop almost instantly.
I do not know why no one has mentioned it yet.

viewtopic.php?p=375415#p375415
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12660

Thanks for sharing that, I saw it once before but everyones suggestion was go CF so that's basically what I'm doing (I'll be siphoning out the water a couple times a day by just throwing the siphon over the stand pipe and pulling it off when it's empty). But if I encounter problems with CF I'll absolutely be trying this method, especially now that someones actually recommended it.