Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I thought flood and drain was a better system due to the roots not invading pipes. Explain the autosiphons to me.

ft- there is a topic on auto syphone.
gone to have a look

You can always convert the system over to an autosyphon method later very easily if you want to forest.. So don;t worry too much about it ATM.. There are a few discussions on here about syphons, but basically..

A syphon will still keep it as a flood and drain system.. What you would do is remove your stand pipe, and replace it with a syphon, then leave your pump running all the time... When your growbed fills with waterit will start the syphon running, the syphon will quickly drain all the water from your bed before stopping... Then your bed will begin to fill again, and it starts all over....

You still have a flood and drain system if you are using autosiphons. A very simple expplanation is that water fills to the desire level in bed at which time the siphon kicks in. Once the bed has drained - the siphon stops. The pump runs continuously throughout - yet the beds will flood and drain because the siphon empties the bed much quicker than the pump fills it. Because you have a large capacity sump pump - you probably wouldn't want to run continuously with your current quantity of grow-beds - as you would have to bleed of quite a lot of the pumping capacity back to the fish tanf - which would be a waste of your power. Also you pump is probably not continuously rated. If you ever expand your system though it may be an option.

What is your cycling time forrest - ie how long do you run the pump for and then how long do you have it switched off?

Auto siphon -- is the topic.
I don't know how to hyperlink here so for now do a search, at he top of the page and limit replies to say 25..
hope this helps.
C1

help from every where

We are just a helpful bunch.

no point ell, it a up hill fight angainst VB the peverse moderator............we try and help him, but alas it is futle when one is as ar gone as he.

says Steveo - still sensitive about the naked picture of him that somehow found its way to the forum

If H and/or yourself wish to see an autosiphon in operation, you can have a look at my original small set-up (just pm me).

H can ask all the technical questions

Bell siphon working
Auto siphon article
...and another

Oh please not the dual again? LOL

Need MF back to tune it up

still going strong and untouched (my auto thing - edited for GF)

I'm not so sure I'd be bragging about that Ell. LOL

Ell, I'll have to ask him but he's going over to the caboulture markets in the morning. How early are you up?

f, not tomorrow - sorry, got a trip over to Sunnybank that the lovely wife has organised for me

I have PM'd you


GF - edited my other post, just for you