Comment

Comment by Rich Milliron on July 21, 2010 at 1:00pm

Yep, as usual, I'm learning the hard way!

Comment by TCLynx on July 21, 2010 at 12:47pm

Of course shallow grow beds can be a real challenge when it comes to siphons. If you can manage some deeper grow beds I'm sure you will be happier with them.

Comment by Rich Milliron on July 21, 2010 at 11:52am

Thanks much David.

Comment by David Hart on July 21, 2010 at 11:19am

Loop siphons are nice.
If your having trouble with a bell siphon....check out Affnan's design. They work very well, even when your flow drops.
I adapted my bell to his design.....haven't had a problem since.
affnan-aquaponics.blogspot.com
He also has vids on YouTube.

Comment by Rich Milliron on July 21, 2010 at 10:31am

There you go! Great idea, thanks.

Comment by TCLynx on July 21, 2010 at 10:15am

Put a bit of tin foil or tie a towel over the clear pipe, that way you can unwrap it to watch the water flow and then cover it back up to keep algae from growing. All my loop siphons on my big beds were clear back in the beginning. However, I had problems with lumber/liner (termites) and am now switching everything over to stock tanks (extra deep beds)

Comment by Rich Milliron on July 21, 2010 at 9:44am

Yes Lori, I had the exact same "bell problem" as you. I was so pleased initially, then after a few weeks, I couldn't get it to go no matter what I did??? My problem with this GB (wood frame with pond liner) is that it's too shallow. Also, my drain pipe connector, at the bottom of the GB, sticks up too much - Thus, the water level, does not empty out enough. That piece of gray wood is just sitting there for the picture, to cover the extra liner. I need to add 2x4's around the top of the box, and add more pea gravel, to give it additional depth (I have sufficient liner to do this). Of course I can't do any of this until these plants are finished for the season. Anyway, the hose itself is very simple to construct and works great. I knew I shouldn't use clear plastic, because of the alge build-up - But I really like watching the water-flow action! ~Rich

Comment by Lori Platt on July 21, 2010 at 9:12am

Hey Rich - I've got bell siphons that were perfect... then the water flow dropped a little (algae, I think, in the pipes) and suddenly the bells are as mysterious and hateful as their reputation! Working, then not working then working then NOT... we are increasing the diameter of the pipes in order to address the reduced flow, but this loop looks darn simple... how is it working? How is it setup?