Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

To minimize sump tank water level changes, i made what I'll call a dual-bell siphon.

I used airline tubing to connect two bell siphons in adjacent growbeds such that a siphon will only start when the adjacent growbed is nearly (within an inch or two) full. Hence, the sump does not have to accommodate both growbeds being empty.

So far, I've only tested it for a couple cycles and it seems to work as designed. Not enough testing yet to know all they ways it can fail.

I'm sure that explanation is confusing, so here's a photo.

I'll give you novelty bonus points on that one Scott

I could see where those who prefer using siphons might find this useful if they are stuck with a small tank and don't want to buy a sequencing valve. I'd still go with Constant Flood since the tank has more water overall and is simpler but I think your approach is pretty interesting.

Cheers

Thanks for the feedback.

I know there are many schools of thought on siphons vs constant flood.

To simplify the water plumbing, the flow configuration for my gbs is not ideal (single point of water entry, not in the best spot). I'm worried I'll have dead zones in cf as my beds (hopefully) host larger plant roots. My thinking is that the flood-drain is a good way to minimize dead zones. I also am keeping fish in the sump.

Since the photo above, I've had to add a conventional tube to break the siphon when the bed is drained. Now, it seems to work likes charm.

Way cool. I love it!

Got a video of it in action, by chance?

No video (yet). It would be pretty boring.

An update: I upgraded to 3/8" tubing. The airline tubing clogged once. It's been working for about a month straight since the tubing upgrade.

Just put a video in my system thread. See my signature below.

Thank you very much, for taking the time to make a video. Great idea you have there.