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Bell Siphon problem

 
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Hey everybody, just set up my first aquaponics garden and already things are going wrong haha. Before I put any media in the grow bed the bell siphon preformed perfectly leading me to think this is a flow related issue.

Here's the specs
inlet: 1/2'' compressor hose
standpipe: 1''
bell siphon: 2''
containment: IBC
media: volcanic rock/hydroton (I already hate lava rock)

The grow bed will fill up, the siphon will create the vacuum and drain the bed and then it has trouble filling up again. It just wants to fill up a little bit and gurgle, and do the same thing over and over until I manually lift the siphon and break the vacuum. With my inlet being a hose I don't have a valve to control the flow.

So is there anything I can do to fix this? I assumed making the teeth bigger might correct the issue but it's a shot in the dark.

appreciate any help

 
pollinator
Posts: 4154
Location: Northern New York Zone4-5 the OUTER 'RONDACs percip 36''
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Jason McFarland : Have you been to You Tube land and checked out web4deb s channel ! Rob T. who is a member here is very knowledgeable and if you
cant find the answer in his videos I am sure he will talk to you ! Big Al
 
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Location: Devon UK
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Have a look at "wwb4deb" on YouTube, his section on siphons is very instructive
 
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Hey Jason, Did you find a solution to your bell siphon issue? we had the smae issue in our aquaponics system, and figured out a very easy and reliable way to remedy it. get at me, if you still need the help, I would be glad to tell you how to fix it!
 
Jason McFarland
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I appreciate your help everybody, like stated in web4deb's video my siphon was stuck in limbo, I'm going to try putting a pvc cap under the breather tube I believe that will solve my problem, thanks all
 
Yeah, but how did the squirrel get in there? Was it because of the tiny ad?
A PDC for cold climate homesteaders
http://permaculture-design-course.com
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