Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yep - oxygen is the key. THe fact is that in a F&D system the roots will never actually dry out - but they will get plenty of oxygen from the F&D cycle as will the fish. When the water empties due to the siphon (woosh) process - not only is air added to the fish tank (or sump) through the waterfall, fresh air also gets pulled into the gaps between the grow-bed media as the water drains quicly from the system.

Autosiphons rock. Took me a while to get around to using them - but I am so glad I made the move. Int he end it was very easy to build and get to work - due to all the good work done previously by Ell.

I use continuous flow with it filling from the bottom and flowing out through a sand pipe near the top. I don't think we ever decided on a name for it.

My big system will use flood and drain with auto-siphon. I just went with continuous flow for simplicity. I am thinking of converting my third bed to flood and drain except my sump is not big enough atm.

Out of the three auto-siphons I made in my life I have had no problems. A bit of tweaking on the first one but after that no issues. Basic principle get the air OUT to get it started by using a air line or large bell and get the air IN to stop it again using a air line that will suck air when the water drops below it.

Sorry DD

Oh, that's better, now I can see it

ROFL

Must of used a rabid ground hog....those cuts are rough.