Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So my system is up and running (pics coming soon) and i have a bell siphon with a 90mm bell outer and 40mm standpipe. Now that its up and running, i think the system would run a lot better if i were to have the water level about a cm or so higher. There is enough room in the bell for this, and enough length underneath to do this, but for the life of me i cannot seem to get the pipe to move. Not really surprising as i needed a mallet to get the thing in.

Any tips appreciated.

add an extension piece to the top - just get another piece of pipe, heat it, widen it, then slip it over the top of the existing standpipe. Only works for making pipes longer

how far is the water level below the top of media?

I have moved some pipes in uniseals with a bit of Vaseline and moving the pipe in a radial motion while pushing.

Water is about 5 or 6cm below the top of media. Want to get it to around 4 cm below. Might see if i can extend. Tank has fish in it. One thing i havent yet figured out is how to remove the complete bell without having to unload all my hydroton. Getting vaseline into the bottom may be tricky. Is it safe for the fish?

Another option, Increasing water flow will raise your water level.

I would probably have to buy a new pump to increase the water flow.

Will see if i can extend.

remove a little media...

what about just adding a coupling? If that's too long, you can add portion of a bell end and adjust up or down from there...since the bell is quite long. In my DWC tank, I just add a short piece of pipe w/ the bell on and then can just pull or push the bell to micro adjust the water level

a coupling would do it - I was just being cheap

Sounds like you don't have a media guard. Remove enough media to clear it from around the bell, then fit a large cylinder around the bell. 100mm is enough as it is just to keep the media away from the bell. It needs lotsa small holes to let the water in and keep the media out - a small mesh but strong wire next might do it depending on your media. Maybe look at fencing mesh?

Look at Afnan siphons - not saying you should swap to them but you could copy the flared end they use - might improve the make/break of the siphon cycle as well.

Matty, I've used the whole "match in the PVC glue can" myself a few times for getting me out of jams. Also, a heat gun to make sweeps instead of 90's. Cheap is good.lol

A 40mm coupling does the trick. You can use these to increase/lower your flooding depth. It is handy when you seed directly into your medium. Once the seeds start growing - remove the coupling. This drops your water level by about an inch.

So i already had a coupling on top so as to have a very slightly wider spout. Cut a small piece of 40mm pipe and a 50mm to 40mm reducing bush, which combined to give me an additional 2.5cm height.

This seems to be perfect for my requirements, and its now flooding to just under 4cm below the top of my expanded clay.

Gabe, any issues raising the water for seed starting in an existing bed? I tried twice now to germinate seeds in the GB, and no luck. I know they're staying too dry. I could add that coupling and raise the level, but don't want to effect the rest of the plants already in the Gb's.

I have some seeds in my GB i just threw them in first before planting seedlings and cuttings and pretty sure at least some made it to the water line. See what sprouts in the next week.