Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi, I put a SLO in my round fish tank; I used 40mm pvc pipe inside the tank and reduced to 25mm on the exit through the tank: I went down to enter the solids filter and put a overflow at the top to run back into the tank; my problem is the SLO does not push the water through the filter, it’s like stoped on equal levels,
Where do you think I have gone wrong, any help will be appreciated.

It will, in that configuration.

You need a sump tank. I would also recommend running it as a split flow system, ie:

The pump in ST, pumping to a manifold where you split the flow, ie:

(a). Up to the top of the FT, ideally utilising a spray bar or venturi at the entry point to provide aeration. The SLO from the FT then gravity feeds to the solids filter, which in turn gravity feeds back to the ST.

(b). Up to the pipes containing the plants, which drain directly back to the ST.

Other considerations:

- Convert you solids filter into a Radial flow filter, they are more efficient than a Swirl filter when using a barrel shaped vessel. Swirl Filters are better suited to wider shallower tubs.

- Run your SLO as 40mm it's entire length, right through to where it terminates inside the RFF. Don't reduce down in size.

Thanks for info, any chance you can put those ideas into a drawing for me? The heights of the different entities are throwing me out.

Thank you very much, I will attempt the changes.