Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Im a bit late but Mrs Charlie and I thank you for the video update, Rob! Vegies and new RAS system looking really good mate.

Cheers!

Thanks Mr & Mrs Charlie
Cheers

I've got the same problem with a Gb outlet that I dropped under ground and then back up to my sump. Other than reducing flow perhaps a Tee (going up above FT top) on the outside bend may help vent off air? Might not look great though

Not to worried about looks here That was an idea that was offered up elsewhere as well thanks

Went down this morning & it was doing it again so I decided to play with the angle of the dangle so to speak..

When the pipe from the SLO to the bulkhead fitting was horizontal or slightly above the BH fitting the water level climbed..


When pushed down (below being horizontal with the BH fitting) the tank level dropped & water drained faster..


No idea on the hydraulics involved It works & looks to of kept the level constant every time I checked today so that's all I care about for now Will try & get my head around it if someone knowledgeable in hydraulics wants to pipe up ..

Thanks all..

My thoughts when trying to fix mine was that any air sucked into (and trapped by) the flow will try and float up against gravity, though it has to fight the flow to actually get to the top and 'vent', so pipework has to either
a) aids venting of the air
b) stops air being sucked in in the first place - I tried fiddling with the top of the standpipe but with limited results - there are all sorts of vortex breaker out there though.
c) allows a water channel and air channel to both exists at the same time (ie larger pipes or less flow) and therefore allows air to vent.
d) or enough free board be allowed for a bit of extra build up and burping.

Caveat emptor - I'm not knowledgeable in hydro dynamics!

Thanks Mattyoga..
All the pipe work will be removed & re worked when the system gets moved around so more problems will probably surface then & will keep that in mind..

The only thing that might of changed is the "air diffuser" I put on the end of the inflow/venturi pipe from the sump.. Don't really think that it would of restricted the flow that much though.. It is still backing up when over the horizontal.. Will keep checking & see how she travels over the next few days..

Hi Bob , I recently had to re-adjust the angle of the dangle on my SLO after adding a RFF.

When I originally hooked up the RFF the water level in the FT rose to the point where it was overflowing even though the capacity of the RFF well exceeded the volume coming into it. I did the same thing you did

"pushed down below being horizontal with the BH fitting inside the tank and the level dropped & water drained faster"

I had the same result. I also realised at the same time when I pushed the SLO down on the inside of the tank the pipe on the out side of the tank was being lifted up and added a bit more of a slope to the pipe going into the RFF which in turn allowed trapped air to escape back up the pipe to bubble out to the SLO.

Next I shortened the down pipe to the RFF and lengthend the SLO pipe causing it to sit above the horizontal instead and had no further problem, even when I run the back up system and my main pump at the same time the RFF keeps up with the flow no woriies at all.

Don't know if this helps or makes sense to the reader but it sorted my problem out quickly

Was that written before or after the beer.

Read it after an ale or 2 here so made sense to me Bear

Thanks for that Freddie Glad to know I'm not the only one who has dickey pipes

In regards to increasing an existing hole for a new uniseal - I found putting a piece of wood behind the hole works - when the middle drill bit is placed center, the outside cutting teeth don't move and make a mess.

Have done that before as too thanks Jayendra.. Not too keen on doing it with the fish in the tank unless it was an emergency though..
The 40mm pipe looks to be handling the flow fine.. The water level is still nice & low on the SLO this morning..
Cheers

Glad it is working out mate. Where did you end up placing the bio sample? Cheers

On the table out the back in some onion netting Bear :/ Got side tracked.. Shall pop down & set it up now... Sorry mate..

Never a problem mate, have the tops of my two FT and starting on the SLO 's this morning. Running 50 mm out and joining to a 65 mm going into the RFF. Trying to keep all pipes up so my big feet do not bust them. Cheers

Good to hear Bear

I got off me bum & popped them in the tank..
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Think they should get enough air to keep the bacteria happy..