Comment

Comment by Jeff S on July 2, 2017 at 9:22pm

Not a bad idea to have a media guard large enough to get your hand in for service purposes so a 2" bell with a 1" standpipe wouldn't be out of the question. But Jim Fisk is the resident bell siphon guru so maybe he'll give you some pointers.

Comment by Anthony Payne on July 2, 2017 at 9:07pm

Thanks I'm sizing up the media bed now I'm wondering what size the pipe for the bell. I have 3/4 with a 1" to 3/4 reducer for the stand pipe was thinking of 1 1/2" for the bell, I do have so 2" but thinking it may be on the large size. I'm in North Idaho in the mountains Trying to find a good source of 5/8 crushed rock I do want granite.  

Comment by Jeff S on July 2, 2017 at 8:03pm

Anthony,  I'd put weed cloth in the bottom of the cups. I've been using peat with weed cloth and haven't had any problems but I moved up to 16 oz.  solo cups. to give the roots room.

Comment by Jim Fisk on July 2, 2017 at 9:51am

Welcome back Anthony. Been about 3 years there bud. My wife and I have built and shipped over 5000 bell siphons to places all over the globe and in all sorts of sizes since I heard from you last. We are still going strong here on our homestead in the mountains and still raising trout in our AP GH. We still love our granite media here.

Comment by Leo White Bear on July 1, 2017 at 9:31pm

coconut coir will work for your system.  Take precautions to clean the fiber of loose, short fibers so it will work with your fill and drain system also.  Use the longest ones you can get out of the bunch.  Soak the fiber first so you don't break the long fibers and be sure to wash the dust and small stuff out.

Comment by Anthony Payne on July 1, 2017 at 7:12pm

Well Ive been gone for a long time traveling now Setting roots down and setting up the system I almost had going when life took a turn. I have my ICB cycling to a 4'x8'x7" deep raft on a fishless cycle with ammonia, test kit on the way. Right now the system is 450 us gallons. I'm asking is coconut fiber ok to use for my net pots? I plan on putting a fill and drain on at some point soon, will this clog the media?

Comment by David Gallentine on January 18, 2016 at 9:51am

Let me know if you need Tilapia fry, www.tilapiastore.com

Comment by David Gallentine on November 24, 2015 at 12:09am

Need any tilapia fry?

www.tilapiastore.com

Comment by Leo White Bear on June 29, 2015 at 8:02pm

Jeff-

  With people that are new to aquaponics, I try to err on the high side when it comes to feeding fish.  As stated I suggested to keep records.  This is the best way to insure that all the fish feed and any food that is left can be removed from the system.  By no means did I state that it should stay in the water, this will definitely through-off the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels.

Justalilcrazy-

  With the info you just stated, I am forced to state that there may be a source of limestone getting into your system.  With your filters, are you using new filter media or used?  Check the water source, with your pH test kit/strips.  This may be more problematic and further discussion may have to be in order.  I have heard of one source of hydroton called hydro-corn was more prone to high pH because it had lime mixed in with the clay as a binder before it was fired.  Now I'm not saying that your hydroton has lime as a binder but get some distilled water and soak some hydroton overnight and check the ph.  it should be the same as before you added the hydroton.  Let us know what happens, we will try to figure this out together.

Comment by justalilcrazy on June 29, 2015 at 6:17pm

Leo, my main tank is 110 gal i have a 5gal swirl filter behind that and then running into a 25gal sump. I'm setting up for 2 4x4 beds but presently have just one ready to go. Been running the pump 24/7. Water is aerated and clear. You thought is the high nitrate is keeping ph high? I've added ph down and it was around 6.8. With no additions of water or ammonia,the ph will creep back up to 7.6.

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