Bell siphon parts question

[sarumont]

First off, thank you all for the knowledge in these fora. I am about to build my first AP system (small, indoor), and I hadn't quite figured out the drainage mechanism I would be using. I discovered the bell siphon on the pages here and plan to use that.

Which leads me to my question...what is the black part called in the pic here:

http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/a...9&d=1220596761

Alternatively, what other methods have people used for creating the watertight seal around the standpipe? I could not find anything at the local Home Depot that looked similar to the black part above, nor could I figure any other means to accomplish the same end.

Thanks in advance!

[Finn]

That is a bulkhead fitting. Try a hydroponics supply store that is where I had to get mine.

[jruttan]

Or a farm supply shop. I found mine at a TSC store. The big box stores don't seem to carry anything like this.

[sarumont]

Thanks, guys. I see that TSC has a 3" model listed on their website for $30. This will be a small system, though, so I was going to start with a 1/2" standpipe and adjust from there. In case anyone cares, I found various sizes here:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/cat/...6/category.web

Armed with the correct terminology, however, I discovered:

http://www.truetex.com/bulkhead.htm

And so I'll head over to Lowe's tonight and attempt to build my own. Thanks again.

[jruttan]

I always find TSC has more instore than online. If i recall right, 1" bulkhead was about $10 Cnd, 1/2" was about half that.

Sorry if these aren't the correct names for the pieces, my mind is in friday mush mode.
To build my own i went with a 1" PVC adapter (female slip on one side, male threaded on the other), slipped a 1" rubber washer over the threads, inserted the adapter from inside the GB out, outside the GB i put a 1" lock nut (from the electrical isle) to tighten it all down, then threaded the next piece of PVC onto the protruding homemade "bulkhead".

[Jonty]

I just make mine up with the 25 mm pipe fittings and omit the black bulkhead fittings and use marine grade silicone. Haven't had a leak. Make sure you have the right sized holesaw though.

[Murray]

Here in Aussie this is named a "Tank Fitting"
You should be able to get them from places that sell water tanks etc.

[cando]

I want to run my 3 bathtub grow beds on Bell Siphons in stead of a timer and 2 3/16" holes at the bottom of my outlet pipes. Because the water flows out of bath plug holes into 40mm PVC pipes I cannot connect 2 elbows to the 25mm outlet pipe from the Bell Siphons like Murray does to create a backflow to make it work.

My experiments in a bucket with a prototype Bell Siphon (65mm) cannot get it to flow. I use a 25mm pipe held in place in a 25mm join which fits snugly into a bath outlet and held in place with Selleys Knead It Aqua. I Fill the bucket slowly from a hose to simulate water flowing in from a pump.

Colin (OutbackAussie) uses a 15mm inner pipe, a 50mm outer pipe, a 90mm media stopper and a 4mm breather in his blue plastic half drum grow beds and it works just fine. His outlets also flow directly into a 90/100mm pipe so no chance for the double elbow solution. That will be my next experiment.

Thanks Colin, and Murray and Lee at the workshop. The information is invaluable.

Any comments or advice on what I am trying to do much appreciated.

Francois

[cando]

I am happy to report that my experiment with the 15mm inner pipe and 50mm outer pipe was a success.

Francois

[arthoz]

This video might provide a useful instruction to make a bell siphon. He even make a drip hole and another modification to the pipe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXaPn...x=0&playnext=1

There must be some difference to his aquaponics design but it is good to know that a fellow countryman who share the same interest.