The Bell Siphon, also known as an Auto Siphon or in German as a Glockensiphon, is one of the most important and at the same time one of the most fascinating components of a Flood & Drain aquaponics system. This part regulates the flooding and emptying process in a grow bed filled with grow media - and all of this without electricity, solely through processes and laws of physics. Here I explain exactly how a Bell Siphon works.
How an Aquaponics Bell Siphon works
Water which is transported into the grow bed and distributed between the cavities in the grow media (e.g. plant clay) reaches after a certain time the water level defined by the height of the stand pipe (1).
As we all know, water uses every possible path, every opening or cavity to flow back down to the lowest point. In this case, the standpipe can be imagined as a drain that creates a suction after a while (Venturi effect).
This process fills the stand pipe (1) and the adjacent siphon bend (2) with water, thereby drawing the water through the lower openings of the siphon bell (3) upwards through the stand pipe (siphon effect).
This continues until the water level is so low that the siphon pipes "suck in" air instead of water. The siphon effect is thus interrupted and the grow bed is emptied. It then fills up with water again and the process repeats itself.
Why a Bell Siphon?
The Bell Siphon remains the most sensible and energy-saving method for implementing flood and drain systems in hydroponics or aquaponics. The advantages are clear:
- power-free
- almost maintenance-free
- can be easily and quickly integrated into systems
- ensures very good oxygen enrichment in the fish tank and grow bed
- balanced nutrient supply to the plants through a consistent rhythm of irrigation
The highlight is the design with the perfect coordination of the individual components. The siphon kits fit perfectly with every OFERA grow bed, but also wonderfully complement any self-built aquaponics system.
Bell Siphon | Auto Siphon Kits from OFERA
The Bell Siphon Sets from OFERA are available in 3 different heights, for 20cm, 25cm and 30cm high grow beds. A siphon kit consists of a media guard, the siphon bell, a stand pipe, a feedthrough and a siphon bend with screw cap and seal.
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