ebb and flow system

[Paul Westberg]

Anyone: How much of a drain should I see when the siphon runs on a ebb and flow system with the pump running continuously? The system cycles as it should but I have noticed that the standing water depth is only 4" below the top of the growbed when the siphon ends. My understanding is that it should drain more than this. Is that correct? many thanks..

[TCLynx]

It will all depend on the flow rate through the gravel and into the gravel guard.  If the gravel or gravel guard doesn't let the water flow through it fast enough, then it is possible for the siphon to use up all water close enough to it and suck air thus cutting out when the bed is still half full.  In this case you have to decide if a smaller siphon and flow rate would work better or if a change to the gravel guard or media is what's needed of if the situation seems ok to you and leave it alone.

[Paul Westberg]

thanks, that makes sense. I will have to empty the bed to look at the gravel guard. I do know that the bed that the siphon is in seems to always be drier than the rest. Perhaps that is what is happening.

TCLynx said:

It will all depend on the flow rate through the gravel and into the gravel guard.  If the gravel or gravel guard doesn't let the water flow through it fast enough, then it is possible for the siphon to use up all water close enough to it and suck air thus cutting out when the bed is still half full.  In this case you have to decide if a smaller siphon and flow rate would work better or if a change to the gravel guard or media is what's needed of if the situation seems ok to you and leave it alone.