Aquaponics is Fun

Introduction: The Magic of Siphon Aquaponics Aquaponics, the marriage of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil), offers a sustainable and efficient way to produce food. A key component in many aquaponic systems is the siphon, which automates the draining and flooding of the grow bed, creating an environment ideal for plant growth and nutrient cycling. This guide will walk you through building a simple yet effective siphon aquaponic system, perfect for a beginner with a 65+ gallon tank.

Materials You'll Need: Gathering Your Supplies Before we begin, gather the following materials. You can often find these at your local hardware store, aquarium supply store, and garden center.

• A 65+ gallon fish tank (or larger)
• A Grow bed (approximately half the volume of the fish tank or slightly larger)
• Grow media (clay pebbles, gravel, or lava rock)
• A submersible pump (rated for the height from your tank to your grow bed)
• Tubing to connect the pump to the grow bed
• A bell siphon kit (or the individual components to build one, see details below)
• PVC pipe (for the bell siphon standpipe, bell, and support)
• PVC fittings (elbows, couplings, etc., as needed for your siphon design)
• A timer (for the pump, optional but recommended)
• A container or sump for draining water, if needed
• Drill and drill bits (for creating drainage holes if necessary)
• PVC cement
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Saw or PVC pipe cutter

Step 1: Setting Up Your Fish Tank and Grow Bed Firstly, place your fish tank in a suitable location, ensuring it's level and can support the weight when filled with water. Then, position your grow bed above or adjacent to the fish tank. The grow bed needs to be higher than the water level in the fish tank to allow gravity to drain the water back after the siphon activates. If the grow bed is significantly higher, you might need a more powerful pump. Fill the grow bed with your chosen grow media, but only partially; we'll add more later.

Step 2: Building the Bell Siphon: The Heart of the System This is the trickiest part, but follow these steps carefully. You can either buy a pre-made bell siphon kit or build one yourself using PVC pipes and fittings.

• Standpipe: Cut a length of PVC pipe that will extend from the bottom of your grow bed to a few inches below the desired water level. This is your standpipe. If your grow bed doesn't have a pre-drilled hole, drill one now and insert the standpipe, ensuring a good seal (you may need a rubber grommet).
• Gravel Guard (optional): Create a gravel guard around the base of the standpipe to prevent the grow media from clogging it. You can use a piece of plastic mesh or a perforated PVC pipe section.
• Bell: Cut a wider PVC pipe to act as the "bell." This pipe should be tall enough to cover the standpipe completely and wide enough to allow water to fill around the standpipe. The top of the bell should be open to the air.
• Bell Supports: Attach small PVC pieces to the inside of the bell to raise it slightly off the grow bed floor. This allows water to enter the bell from the bottom.
• Siphon Starting Tube: This is a small diameter tube (aquarium air line tubing is perfect) that extends from the top of the bell down the inside of the standpipe. This will help initiate the siphon.

Remember to dry-fit all your PVC pieces before cementing them together to ensure proper fit. Use PVC cement to permanently join the pieces. Ensure the bell is easily removable for maintenance.

Step 3: Connecting the Pump and Tubing Submerge your submersible pump in the fish tank, ensuring it's positioned away from the bottom to avoid sucking up debris. Attach the tubing to the pump outlet and run it to the grow bed. Secure the tubing outlet over the grow media, positioning it to distribute water evenly across the bed. Use zip ties or clamps to secure the tubing in place, preventing it from kinking or coming loose.

Step 4: Testing and Fine-Tuning the Siphon Fill the fish tank with water and plug in the pump. The grow bed will begin to fill. Observe the water level rising. The bell siphon should automatically trigger when the water level reaches the top of the standpipe. If the siphon doesn't start, check the following:

• Air Leaks: Ensure there are no air leaks in the bell siphon.
• Bell Height: Adjust the height of the bell; it might be too close to the grow bed floor.
• Starting Tube: Check that the starting tube is clear and properly positioned.

Adjust the pump's flow rate or the siphon components until you achieve a consistent flood and drain cycle. A typical cycle might be 15-30 minutes of flooding followed by a 5-10 minute drain.

Step 5: Planting and Cycling Your System Once the siphon is working correctly, add the remaining grow media to the grow bed. It's now time to cycle your system. This involves establishing a beneficial bacteria colony that converts fish waste into plant nutrients. You can cycle the system with or without fish. If cycling with fish, start with a small number of hardy fish and monitor the water quality closely. Plant your seedlings or seeds into the grow media. Plants like leafy greens, herbs, and strawberries thrive in aquaponic systems.

Conclusion: Enjoying Your Aquaponic Garden Congratulations! You've successfully built a siphon aquaponics system. Regularly monitor the water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), fish health, and plant growth. Adjust your system as needed to optimize performance. With a little care and attention, your aquaponic garden will provide you with fresh produce and a fascinating glimpse into the world of sustainable food production. Enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of your labor!