Finally, up and running!

[wolfracer]

Just nit-picking, but that isn't an auto-siphon, just a plain old siphon. Auto-siphons start their siphon when water reaches a certain level, then they rapidly drain to empty the bed until they lose suction. Then the cycle starts over.

Watching the video it looks like that is working as a loop siphon to me.

[jackalope]

That system sounds really cool. Can't wait for updates.

g
I like it so far, except one thing ...... when they empty, they gurgle like a percolator, but very loudly, and since I live in Montana and it's still freezing and snowing here, (below zero the past two nights), mine is inside our living quarters so the first few days takes a bit of getting used to, now we don't even hardly notice it .

[jackalope]

Just nit-picking, but that isn't an auto-siphon, just a plain old siphon. Auto-siphons start their siphon when water reaches a certain level, then they rapidly drain to empty the bed until they lose suction. Then the cycle starts over.

Cool setup though. Nice job!

Jack, ..... the water gets to a certain level, it drains the bottles and the pipes (grow-beds) until it loses suction, and then it starts over ..... and it does this automagically, without any help from me ..... kinda sounds to me like it would be called some sort of an autosiphon. Sorry for mis-naming it, I just thought that something that automatically drained the system was called an autosiphon. You've got more experience in this stuff than me, and I'm just learning the technology and the terminology, so I'm glad to bow to your expertise and stand corrected, it's a plain old siphon with a flexible hose which makes it adjustable .

[mommyhen42]

very cool setup... I have the plans on this ole puter somewhere for just what you are talking about, but it has a rigid siphon. I definatly like your siphon setup better... gotta play with this one... I hate it when I start toying with more ideas than my poor wittle head can deal with... NOT...LOL

Have you tried to use those rigid square gallon water jugs??? Just thinking of larger size for bigger plants...Hmmmm
They sell those at the 99 cents store... perhaps I will have to try that one... I actually like this idea better than the deep water culture I am currently using in the other room.... I could use some of the holes that are already the lids without having to scrounge some lids from Home Depot...

So many ideas... so little time... hehehehe

and sister in law just gave me a home depot gift certificate..... Shopping!

[JeffW]

Just nit-picking, but that isn't an auto-siphon, just a plain old siphon. Auto-siphons start their siphon when water reaches a certain level, then they rapidly drain to empty the bed until they lose suction. Then the cycle starts over.

But that is exactly what it does..

[wolfracer]

Have you built one of these with more than 4 cups? They are a really cool design. I might build one for my son and daughter inlaws aquarium.

[badflash]

Jeff, maybe its just the angle on the video. What it looked like to me was that you controlled the level by raising or lowering the tube. I couldn't see any cycling of level.

[JeffW]

Oh I see ..let me explain.

I was simply showing that the level can be "set" but once it is set the auto siphon
mode works. I was using a clamp just to hold hose so it did not slide in once I
picked a level I wanted. Does this make sense?

So yes once the hose is set then it will seek that level then as it reaches it the water
will flow and will not stop until the air is sucked in behind it.

And yes I made one the same way with 3 tubed...let me take a picture of that. It is not
mounted to a res but I can show the way it looks. WOW hands are frozen here I forgot
to shut the door to shop and it's 31/F..heater is on high now...I do not like winter!

brb with picture

[badflash]

Just a heads up with tubing. Small diameter tubing (<1") will bio-foul pretty quickly. Set things up so it is quick & easy to remove and clean the tubing. I plan on using bell siphons on my system to avoid that. Large diameter tubing on a loop siphon is tricky to get to auto-start and it usually just trickels and maintains a constant level.

[wolfracer]

If we use clear tubing that should help with maintence as far as seeing any fouling right?