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Which prefered siphon drain growbeds??

Is there a siphon that is fairly simple and works consistently? Like the idea of a loop. Understand it has problems also. Wonder which size pipe to use for a 4 by 6 by 1ft. growbed.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Konshak on May 19, 2011 at 4:30pm

Steve, I'm a firm believer (and indoctrinated in product cost-reduction) that the best mechanism is non at all. or one with the least number of parts. The more parts the lower the MTBF (mean time before failure).

steve said:

Mike that's great, an engineer that went with the most simple method.

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on May 19, 2011 at 6:58pm

I would recommend making any siphon more accessible than a basket buried under the media. My experience is that you will eventually need to get your hand in there to remove roots and that kinda sucks if you have to dig out gravel to manage it.

I've made the mistake of putting the holes for the timed flood and drain stand pipes in some of my beds such that they are in-accessible, I will soon need to dig out one of those beds to re-do the gravel guard to make it possible to access the bottom of the stand pipe. Lesson learned, always make drains accessible.

Permalink Reply by Mike Konshak on May 19, 2011 at 8:11pm

Thta's a very good point. Not having to deal with maintenance yet, I thought having the extra real-estate for crops would be good.Plus the weight of the media keeps the basket pressed against the floor without having to put a ring of sealant down there.

I guess I should incorporate a basket such that it surrounds the siphon and extends all the way up to keep the media away. It makes it fun to watch the siphon that way, too. On to Rev 5.

TCLynx said:

I would recommend making any siphon more accessible than a basket buried under the media. ... ... I will soon need to dig out one of those beds to re-do the gravel guard to make it possible to access the bottom of the stand pipe. Lesson learned, always make drains accessible.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Silva on May 19, 2011 at 9:53pm

Hi Raychel, yeah, please do share..thanks! ~Michelle

Raychel A Watkins said:

Aloha Steve

Thanks for the kind words about my place. I truly am trusting God to show me what to do. You are asking about siphons, I use bell siphons right now. They can be tricky but I found out if you make them the same way each time and then just adjust the flow of water in and away from the siphon I have good results. I tkink you have to mature into them.

If you watched the last of the video about the meetup you will see Glen Martinez demonstrating what he calls a bucket siphon. These work everytime and will never flood nor stop. In the next 2 weeks I am going to arrange to go to Glens and learn how to make it and hope to share it with all It is amazing

Permalink Reply by Michelle Silva on May 19, 2011 at 9:53pm

what video are you referring to?

Michelle Silva said:

Hi Raychel, yeah, please do share..thanks! ~Michelle

Raychel A Watkins said:

Aloha Steve

Thanks for the kind words about my place. I truly am trusting God to show me what to do. You are asking about siphons, I use bell siphons right now. They can be tricky but I found out if you make them the same way each time and then just adjust the flow of water in and away from the siphon I have good results. I tkink you have to mature into them.

If you watched the last of the video about the meetup you will see Glen Martinez demonstrating what he calls a bucket siphon. These work everytime and will never flood nor stop. In the next 2 weeks I am going to arrange to go to Glens and learn how to make it and hope to share it with all It is amazing

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on May 20, 2011 at 7:19am

Beware, you might be addicted to aquaponics if you find yourself watching the siphons operate more than you watch TV.

Permalink Reply by Raychel A Watkins on May 21, 2011 at 1:40pm

I am going to Glen's on Tuesday and I hope to come home with a bucket siphon and I can make a video and show how it works. I believe it is fabulous and seems fool proof. But what is ever foolproof.

Aloha

Permalink Reply by TCLynx on May 21, 2011 at 2:50pm

What is a bucket siphon? Is it just a siphon that is mounted outside the bed in a bucket?

Permalink Reply by steve on July 4, 2011 at 1:53pm

Just had to add this interesting link I found. Although I chose the Affnan version with drilled holes for gravel guard. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-10.pdf

Permalink Reply by Adam Blanton on July 22, 2011 at 10:07am

I'm curious about this bucket siphon as well, is it just a siphon connected externally to the bed? Ever get a video of the setup?

Permalink Reply by Averan on July 22, 2011 at 12:38pm

hey yall,

here's some premade round mesh siphon guards: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/821/Mesh-Tubes-Plastic

Permalink Reply by steve on July 22, 2011 at 1:20pm

Dude ya waited til I drilled 4200 holes. Oh well only 300 more as I ran out of pipe. Thanks Averan

Averan said:

hey yall,

here's some premade round mesh siphon guards: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/821/Mesh-Tubes-Plastic