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  1. #1
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    Help with Bell Siphon

    Hi, all,

    My basement system was tested working the first day and then after I put all the rocks in, for some unknown reason, the snorkel stops working so it just keeps siphoning!! Anybody has any idea to help? I checked everything I know such as snorkel tube length, outlet length, height of bell siphon, etc. It siphons beautifully but it just won't stop. The snorkel tube is making a lot of noises right now but just can't stop. All the measurements are correct and it worked when it had water only....very puzzling. Thanks.
    Fish Frenzy

  2. #2
    Moderator stucco's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Sounds like You need to slow the flow to the bed.
    Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.-- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
    Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought~fortune cookie

  3. #3
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    I did until the flow is almost nothing and it is still draining... With that kind of flow I don't know if the siphon would start. Any other ideas?
    Fish Frenzy

  4. #4
    Moderator stucco's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Does your discharge pipe go straight down? If so then put a fitting with a slight upward angel on the discharge pipe. Maybe ¾ the width of the pipe.
    Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.-- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
    Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought~fortune cookie

  5. #5
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Hi, stucco, thanks for your ideas. I finally got it working but would like your confirmation that this is normal. Here are some facts:

    110g fish stock tank
    50g rubbermaid stock tank grow bed
    Siphon tube length: 7 inches from the bottom of the bed
    Grow bed depth: 9 inches

    It takes approximately 20 minutes to fill the tank now to siphon starts and it takes about 6 minutes til the siphon breaks. Are these figures normal? The flow rate coming in looks quite slow but I guess this is what it takes to work.

    BTW, I use this plan for the bell siphon and I think it is one of the most intuitive on the net:

    http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/BIO-10.pdf
    Fish Frenzy

  6. #6
    Moderator stucco's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    If you look at photo #16 in that link. (good link by the way). I would have that last piece of pipe turned up at the 90 until the pipe is ¼ above itself. The flood and drain time sounds good as long as it is filling and draining all is well.
    Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.-- Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
    Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought~fortune cookie

  7. #7
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    It sounds like the air break is clogged. Check the small air line that breaks the siphon.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  8. #8
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Quote Originally Posted by badflash
    It sounds like the air break is clogged. Check the small air line that breaks the siphon.
    I have to agree. What breaks the siphon is air. I actually had a similar problem once because I did not build a "guard" around the siphon from the hydroton. Check to see if the medium is blocking the slits at the bottom of the outer tube. That is what happened to me.

  9. #9
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Hi, all,

    I do have a siphon guard and everything works fine now. For some reason, the flow rate is just touchy; just a tiny bit more flow and it won't break. It now takes a bit over 20 minutes to fill and 4-5 minutes to siphon out and break. Here are a couple of photos:





    For now, I have three large tilapias in it to cycle further the system before getting more fingerlings this spring. By the way, I really like Sunleaves' Rocks!
    Fish Frenzy

  10. #10
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Help with Bell Siphon

    Sounds perfect. Too low a flow and it won't kick. A little touchy, but very cool when they work. They need weekly maintenace to clean out the growies and slimies.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

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