Newbie needs help with bell siphon

[Gina Day]

Hi,

I just started and I'm having trouble with my bell siphon. I have a 40 gallon fish tank, 160 gph pump with 1/2" tubing flowing into approx 20 gallon container of hydroton. (I took out a bunch of hydroton while fiddling with bell siphon).
During the cycling phase, the siphon would continuously drain into the fish tank. I thought that was correct since I'm used to fish tank filters. After watching videos, I realize I never had the flood/drain process working. I moved the tubing a bit, and now it drains even more slowly.

I don't know how to regulate the in-flow and get the bell siphon to work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Gina

[Rob Tolette]

You should try slowing down the water flow into your growbed.  What is probably happening is the water is going in fast enough that the siphon is not breaking.  You can add a ball valve on your line with the pump to adjust water flow.

[Gina Day]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will look for that at the hardware store.