Bell siphons

[Adrena lee]

My question is, if I am using one fish pool and hooking up 10 small grow beds do I need only 1 bell siphon for all?

[matt]

Yes you can, BUT:

you need to connect all 10 small grow beds at your chosen drain level, normally either the very bottom or 1-2" above, with pipes large enough to fill and siphon out the water in time. If the pipes connecting the beds are not large enough the system will not flood and drain properly. To do this properly in my mind would take ~20 bulkheads, plus pipe, and possibly plus fittings. I cannot see 10 bell siphons costing more.

 

Also:

when you connect all your beds on one bell even if it works properly, It can make big volume swings in your sump or fish tank. With 10 siphons its more likely some will be filling as some are draining.

[Adrena lee]

Ok thanks. Wow there is so much to do.

matt said:

Yes you can, BUT:

you need to connect all 10 small grow beds at your chosen drain level, normally either the very bottom or 1-2" above, with pipes large enough to fill and siphon out the water in time. If the pipes connecting the beds are not large enough the system will not flood and drain properly. To do this properly in my mind would take ~20 bulkheads, plus pipe, and possibly plus fittings. I cannot see 10 bell siphons costing more.

 

Also:

when you connect all your beds on one bell even if it works properly, It can make big volume swings in your sump or fish tank. With 10 siphons its more likely some will be filling as some are draining.