diy aquaponics swirl filter | Siphon Operation Water Range Check

12.47 in Aquaponics, check, minimus, operation, pandanus, range, siphon, water

diy aquaponics swirl filter

It had been many years that I use the 25mm or the 1" stand pipe siphon with 50 ~ 25mm reducer as funnel and lately I had switch to 20mm and 15mm siphon for my setup.

The 25mm siphon still relevant but since more parts needed for it and the sheer size make it expensive to make and ship.

Few of my earlier growbed are still having the 25mm siphon installed and since Im phasing out this size, it will be a good time for me to check exactly its water inflow requirements. This to document for future reference or if anyone interested in making one then they will know what needed to be done.

Water inflow is the amount of water going into the growbed, it is not the pump rating. This inflow will depend on pump rating and how high the water needed to be transported up into the growbed. Water inflow means water "On Tap" that is going into the growbed for this test purpose and not the pump rating.

I uses a Rotameter, which is a very simple float type flow meter to check the water inflow to the growbed. Though it is not that accurate as an electronic meter, but for a simple experiment suffice.

I am testing four siphon and will get the average water inflow to trigger and stop the siphon. Setup for the test is like photo above, I am using an old pump that only capable of supplying inflow of up to 1200 liter/hour. It is sufficient to do the test with this capacity.

Those four siphon tested started at a minimum water inflow of 100, 250, 100 and 200 liter per hour due to their different outlet configuration and their condition, which already in operation for almost two and a half years.

The average for above is (100 + 250 + 100 + 200) / 4 = 162.5 liter per hour

The siphon able to cut-off at a maximum inflow of 650, 700, 800, 1000 liter per hour, again due to their condition and outlet configuration.

The average for above is (600 + 700 + 800 + 1000) / 4 = 775 liter per hour.

To get the sweet spot on what is the inflow for this siphon, it will be the mean of the two average at (162.5 + 775) / 2 = 468.75 liter per hour

I recommend the 25 mm or 1" siphon with a funnel uses inflow of about 450 ~ 500 liter per hour. From above test anything above 250 liter per hour will do, but we will need to give some margin for pump deterioration. 450 to 500 liter per hour inflow at the tap should give good result.

To know how much water flowing into the growbed you have to measure the water head, ie the height water transported up as measures from tank water level. You then need to check the pump rating as given on the pump write up as example below.

Table above, if your growbed inlet is one meter above the water level, then the recommended pump for the 25 mm siphon should be the AS-1000 pump. It is not exactly at the 450 to 500 range but its more than the minimum inflow as tested above. It is okay to use a bigger pump like the AS-2000 in the diagram above, you will then need to divert excess water away from the growbed.

The above finding serve as a rough guide, and by no means define exactly the size or type of pump needed. Your installation may differ but as a ballpark figure, the above estimation will do.

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diy solar aquaponics system | Crawfish Tank A 15mm StrainerBell Siphon

01.50 in 15mm, a, Aquaponics, crawfish, rambutan, siphon, strainerbell, tank, tree

diy solar aquaponics system

It has been sometime since I last tried Crawfish, that time I was not ready and dont know what to expect of this crustasean . With some time to spare this afternoon and many surplus tanks and pipes, I decide to make a tank for it and at the same time making a small 15 mm siphon to test. Killing two birds with a stone.. as they said it.

I am using existing water source to water the new addition and right return tank as support. Surplus Dickson bars or angle irons make a rack using return tank as support. This arrangement make the distance for water return to be very small. It will be difficult to make a siphon.

Using one of the surplus smaller tub which already has holes in it for water inlet and previous 25mm siphon. The 25 mm siphon I use a tank adapter and pvc piping to make a stand pipe since I am not using this siphon, it is just to close the hole.

The other hole was for 15 mm pvc piping, this is just right for the smaller siphon I am  testing. I made this siphon same as the 20 mm StrainerBell just that it is using smaller parts.

The shorter return creates problem with existing fittings, I had to cut it to length so that siphon outlet just above water line in the return tank.

For now Im setting the siphon to operates at water height of 11 cm, no extender use. I do not want to use too much water since there is no hydroton in this tank. I think Crawfish dont need that much water, and having a flood and drain can keep them continuously supply with fresh water.

This siphon will drain water to about 2 cm, it is preset that way due to the vent on the inverted vent cowl used. BTW it is a 2 inches vent cowl and uPVC pipes, the 20 mm Siphon make use of 3 inches uPVC.

Thats the 11 cm water mark, hope Crawfish will not manage to escape.

Water inflow is a trickle, and I "tee" from existing feed to the right growbeds on my CRAFTS set.

Thats the completed 15 mm StrainerBell siphon and water feed.

Outlet flushing, I will need to test these. Since it is smaller the operating margin is much less. Water required is also very much less, making this siphon a good candidate for a gutter growbed system.

The completed crawfish tank with smallest siphon I made to test.

Next I will need a few Crawfish... :)

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diy aquaponics shrimp | Tomatoes Going Ornamental

20.42 in 15mm, a, Aquaponics, crawfish, going, ornamental, siphon, strainerbell, tank, tomatoes

diy aquaponics shrimp

Done the mint test for my Ornamental set that uses the 20 mm StrainerBell siphon, on this 15 mm siphon Ornamental set I am planting tomatoes to see how this siphon stand against those deep rooting plants.

This lone strawberry plants removed and pot it separately to make way for fresh tomatoes seedling.

Sown these few weeks back and they are ready to be transplanted to the ornamental set.

Planted it directly to hydroton and bury it as deep as I can.

I put two plants in one planting space, I guest that overdo it since I do four planting space on this small set.

Oh well.., just doing it to the extreme.

Bad photos since it already dusk, will need to snap fresh photo again tomorrow and replace.

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diy water pump in aquaponics system | Potted Media Base Gutter Growbed Siphon Flood Drain

23.20 in Aquaponics, base, drain, flood, growbed, gutter, media, my, overhauling, potted, set, siphon

diy water pump in aquaponics system

A year back I did emptied my growbed and uses pots to grow Gandarusa plants, this method of planting utilized much less LECA and make it less costly to make a bigger set if needed.

It did grow well for the Gandarusa plant, its long overdue that I wanted to try this method on other plants.  This simpler setup may be more viable to do on a larger scale with minimum changes to existing media base siphon flood & drain technique.

I had done gutter growbed in 2010 and its at that time was difficult to control its flood and drain reliably. I was using loop siphon due to the confine space of the gutter and it was not successful in planting anything significant.

I am giving it another go, this time I will use my 15 mm StrainerBell siphon on left as photo above. It is the smallest siphon that I had done and after tested it for almost a year, I feel its capable of controlling the flood & drain within the confines space of a rain gutter.

As a trial setup, I decided to do a simple gutter growbed setup, that could accommodate up to 9 or 10 pots place over a fish tank. This arrangement suit the small space that I have.

The gutter was kept for a long time, I got it in Nov 2014 to do this setup. Unfortunately due to the problem I am facing during that period has kept it on hold until today. Above photo I was testing the gutter for leak, I will use only two.

Made a rack for the two gutter over the fish tank from leftover dickson bars and had to join them making a longer piece.

Water feed as usual "T" with 1000 Liter per hour pump feeding the two gutter. Water head is about 18 inches.

15 mm siphon, making it as short as possible, water level is less than four inches.

This siphon has been tested on my ornamental set and had survive a full growbed rootball without failure. So I feel its time to use it for this set, anyway this is the smallest I can make.

First flush test and as you can see from above water is not level, this is because the front part of my house is slanting. I will need to adjust the rack to take up the gradient.

The rack has been adjusted, see the different between the far and the near end tank to rack gap. It is about two inches different in height to add up on the far side of the rack.

Siphon in between the pots, I will use LECA in the pots surrounding with flood & drain water. This style reduce LECA usage and we may use pebbles too at smaller quantities making it lighter.

Water feed is at one end of the gutter with siphon at another, trying to create a nutrient flow within the growbed and water movement in the fish tank between siphon outlet and pump intake.

It does flush well, will put an aerator outlet to reduce noise and at the same time giving much needed oxygen to water.

Okay, this setup needs to be cycle with fish and simple plants. LECA will go in those pots next and will get some cheap fish to ensure no mosquito breed in the tank.

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diy aquaponics instructions | EHK 105 Power Liquid Filter Brief Review

11.01 in 105, Aquaponics, base, brief, drain, ehk, filter, flood, growbed, gutter, liquid, media, potted, power, review, siphon

diy aquaponics instructions

A Brief review of the EHK 105 pump that I use for my two growbed Aquaponics setup.

 

Cheers

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diy aquaponics forum | Aquaponics Tips Chelated Iron

10.51 in Aquaponics, check, chelated, iron, operation, range, siphon, tips, water

diy aquaponics forum

Chelated Iron like Fe 13% EDTA are use in agriculture as a supplement to ensure yellowing leaves dont occur and enhance production of chlorophyll in leaves. They can be use as a foliar spray either on its own or mixed with common pesticide. It can also be administered through fertigation solution.

Fe EDTA in aquaponics we add to growbed either to the growbed or the fish tank. I would recommend the earlier since it will not be directly available to the fish in it undissolved form that those hungry fishes think its fish food.

How much to add? As home setup I must say, I add only as much as its required. They are extensive post in forums about how much to add with volume of water in your system etc but I dont bothered about it.

In aquaponics, water is constantly circulating so like ammonia in the fish tank iron will be continuously circulated in the system and the plants will uses as it needs. It is not like the foliar or fertigation method that may be excessive hence wastage upon application.

I have four growbeds in this CRAFTS setup, I put one tablespoon into each growbed at the water inlet. Usually it will be enough, nothing is wasted since it will be circulating in the system.

This particular Fe EDTA works from ph range of 2 to 8. Most of my aquaponics set the ph is about 6.7 to 7.3, so it should work.

Ok.. that the small tips.

Where to buy;

Nine Top Trading
Drive there using Waze: http://waze.to/lr/hw284z42xf

GPS : 3.309613,101.558401


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diy small aquaponics system | 15 MM StrainerBell Siphon

19.34 in 15, Aquaponics, growbed, gutter, mm, revisited, siphon, strainerbell

diy small aquaponics system

The 25 mm (1 inch) Funnel Bell Siphon was the first siphon that I made after few months of trying out various siphon style to get a good water control of the aquaponics growbed. It is reliable in its operation and has made my aquaponics quest a breeze.

I later made a smaller 20 mm siphon which are able to do same function as the 25 mm but with less parts, smaller and lighter to shipped. Smaller siphon will requires less water inflow to operates thus making power consumption of the water pump less as compared to its bigger brother.

I had been toying with even smaller siphon ever since I started aquaponics, in fact the first siphon that I made make use of 15 mm size stand pipe, however it was without the funnel for that venturi effect making in operationally unreliable. Again the smaller 15 mm siphon was use when I was testing hydroton somewhere early 2010 as here and photo below.

The siphon that I use in the above photo around February 2010 was a 15 mm siphon with strainer and bell enclosure. I did not use this design much because at that time it was very difficult to control.

Video of my earlier 20 mm Siphon just as a reference, this siphon has been replace with the current StrainerBell design which is easier and cheaper to make.

Since then I had gain more and more knowledge in the operation and tuning of the siphon making the 15 mm size standpipe a viable option again.

Few days ago I made a Crayfish tank and I decide to make use of the 15 mm siphon, this time it is a StrainerBell design to be use with the tank for water circulation purpose as in photo below.

The smaller the siphon, the more difficult it is to get right. This is due to its operational tolerance is very small, e.g. the water inflow required is small and the pump that being use also will be small, if there is degradation of pump in the case of blockage or age then water flow affected thus making the siphon fail to operate correctly.

Im making another 15 mm siphon for my Ornamental set which currently using 20 mm siphon. The main reason why I am keen on trying this smaller size siphon is only for one reason that is for energy saving. Due to smaller inflow requirement, this siphon will be able to operate with a 5 watt pump, this small power requirement is ideal if we want to be off grid and operates aquaponics with solar energy.

Smaller water inflow also means that we may be able to get the siphon to operates with water from an airlift pump which we could powered by compressed air from a hand pump reservoir or just a tiny aerator which consume even less power.

On the left is the 15 mm StrainerBell siphon and the right is the 20 mm, all parts are the same just that it is 1 step smaller.

The siphon is installed to my spare Ornamental set for testing, which I need to verify it operational reliability and problems in actual growbed environment for at least six months before I can make any recommendations.

Installation is same like the 20 mm, it is just smaller. The extender tube is a 25 mm size then a 25 to 15 mm reducer to do the venturi.

Capped and ready to go.

I use as smaller pump, 20 mm siphon uses 1000 liter per hour pump, this 15 mm siphon uses 500 liter per hour pump.

Even at 500 liter per hour with 2 ft head, water inflow is still too much for this siphon. Above pump is rated at 7.7 watt, from my test a 5 watt pump is sufficient. This 15 mm siphon can do growbed size up to 10 sq ft. 

The energy requirement is 5 watt for each siphon, the electricity cost is calculated as below for Malaysian electricity tariff;

• 5 watt x 24 hrs x 30 days = 3.6 kwh which will cost about RM 1.30 (USD 0.42) per month of operation.

• It work out that on average this 15 mm siphon requires 1/2 watt of electricity per sq ft of growbed space.

Siphon top part is fixed in its design and tuning it can only be adjusted to set water level, what left is the outlet to be tune. Like a two stroke bike, the entire air path need to be tune for optimum operation, which will include air intake right down to the exhaust chamber for balancing the airflow.

Siphon is the same, we will need to tune it making an optimum water path and since the inlet part is already fix whats left will be the outlet part to be adjusted to suit. As a baseline design, standard double elbow arrangement works in most cases, but it has its limitation, if water inflow above or below the baseline for the siphon, the outlet needs to be modified.

Below are various outlet style that I am trying to get the optimum operation with water inflow more than what is needed.

Few more as follows, it is for illustration only. Each of these will require a long explanation of why it is that way.

Each outlet is tailored to specific condition of what we want to do to the siphon, either to reduce noise, to increase aeration or to compensate for too much or too little water.

There is more that the above design of outlet that I am currently testing for this 15 mm StrainerBell siphon and so far its holding fine after few hours of operation. Now let see whether it can still hold after six months.

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