White flies

10-26-2011

Plants are still doing well. However I notice little white bugs are infesting the Bok Choy. Two tomato plants I found coming up under the tree (that’s where I tossed a few tomatoes last spring) They are now doing very well. Also I tossed in a dozen lettuce seeds. I plan on setting up another system this coming weekend.

10.20.2011

Fish and plants seem to like the new system. Still can’t believe how fast the plants grow. I tossed in 6 Marigold seeds from two or three years ago on Sunday. Well yesterday they shot up thought the rock. Granted Marigolds are glorified weeds, but still. I heard of people just starting with seed in the rock now I am a believer. Hope to gather 6-10 crawdads this weekend and start a new system

10.18.11

Ok simple fix for the algae. Took the pond out of the loop added a 20 gallon gray tote underneath the grow bed. This eliminated the sun stimulating algae growth. I now have a new plan. Rig up 3 systems like this

Needed to add an elbow on the down spout to generate the siphon. Now empties in 45 sec.

The only difference will be I plan on eliminating the clear plastic container for a growbed with and use a pond

liner to get the full space of the wood box frame.

My wife wants Tilapia in one, Catfish in another and crawdads in the third

Bok Choy and Egg plant doing very well

Goldfish seem happy

ALGAE

Fish are doing great and the plants are growing like weeds. Algae is also starting to grow, any help out there. Trying to keep the sun off but was hoping for a fish or water creature that like algae. HELP

Day three

Day 3

Ok just about ready, just need to add sand around plastic grow bed to keep sides for buckling. By the way if you decide to set your grow bed in a similar box, put plastic down before adding sand for support. Or you end up with a funky hour glass. I had 1 x 6’s butted together, but not close enough.

Added the river rock, and a little plumbing and we’re off and running.

To get started I put in 10 gold fish. Keep in mind I have had this

pond for almost 2 years and I wanted to make better use of it. (so its well seasoned.),

Turned the pump on and filled the grow bed, held my breath and

TaDA

Siphoned started just as the water got to 1” below the surface of the rock.

Empted down to about 1 ½” from the bottom, siphon ended and

grow bed refilled. Its completing this cycle about every 7 ½ minutes.

As you can see the bell siphon is working very well.

Sorry, but its really exciting to see this system at work.



Day two

Day two

Did a little research on bell siphons (that’s a lie sorry, did a lot of research) as I wanted to use the flood and drain method. Took advice from two sources and it worked the first time. I am still amazed every time it starts and stops.

The bell auto siphon consists of 1. A vertical standpipe inside the growbed extending through the base of the growbed, 2. A larger pipe (siphon pipe) placed over the standpipe. The siphon pipe is freestanding and taller than the standpipe, and is fitted with an end cap. Additionally, the base has pieces cut out to allow free movement of water. 3. Two or three slots cut into the pipe to assist in breaking the siphon when the water level has dropped low enough.

Water flows up between the walls of both pipes then down the inside of the stand pipe, creating the siphon. When the water level drops to the intake end of the air tube, the siphon is broken.

Drill a hole in the bottom of your grow bed to accept the bulkhead fitting.
Funny story. Went to Lowe$ to buy a bulkhead fitting and the two of the gurus in plumbing had no idea what that was. A younger guy (number 3 ) with  ear gages you could drive a truck though overheard the conversation and a light went off. He took me to the hot water heaters and got me the fitting used on the drain pan. Smart kid.

Attach bulkhead fitting being sure to use rubber washers. You want this to be water tight.

8 1/2 x 3/4 PVC added to the bulk head fitting. This will determine

the height of the water level. Should be 1” below the surface of the media

This is a length of 2” PVC with cap. Note the cut outs on the bottom. This allows air to be drawn in and end the siphoning processes.

The 2” pipe the cap is than placed over the standpipe.

This a length of 4” black pipe that will serve as a media guard, and allow the Bell siphon to do its job.

Here it is all put together. Very simple and reliable.

Did a test run and was amazed that it worked the first time. None of the tweaking I had anticipated.

Day two



Did a little research on bell siphons (that’s a lie sorry, did a lot of research) as I wanted to use the flood and drain method. Took advice from two sources and it worked the first time. I am still amazed every time it starts and stops.

The bell auto siphon consists of 1. A vertical standpipe inside the growbed extending through the base of the growbed, 2. A larger pipe (siphon pipe) placed over the standpipe. The siphon pipe is freestanding and taller than the standpipe, and is fitted with an end cap. Additionally, the base has pieces cut out to allow free movement of water. 3. Two or three slots cut into the pipe to assist in breaking the siphon when the water level has dropped low enough.





Water flows up between the walls of both pipes then down the inside of the stand pipe, creating the siphon. When the water level drops to the intake end of the air tube, the siphon is broken.

8 1/2 x 3/4 PVC added to the bulk head fitting. This will determine

the height of the water level. Should be 1” below the surface of the rock

8 1/2 x 3/4 PVC added to the bulk head fitting. This will determine







Day one was deciding what I was going to do with our 90 gallon pond. Heard of Aquaponics before and put in a little Google time. Now my family thinks me just a little nuts as the question among them is “what the heck is he up to now?” Ha

Well I had most of the basic components to start a small system and completing it would require only a small investment. 20.00 of fittings and pipe from Lowes, 14.00 for a plastic tub to fit in a free standing sand box for the grand kids (sorry kidos).