Siphons are attractive to aquaponics in particular because they provide an effective and simple method for draining water while the pump is still running.Īquaponics Autosiphon is a term commonly used in these discussions, which merely refers to siphoning mechanisms which function automatically based on the changing water levels. This facilitates healthy growth as the roots are able to fully absorb oxygen. The reasoning behind this is that the rapid draining makes nutrients more accessible to plants while providing roots with high oxygenation. What Is the Purpose of a Siphon?Įssentially, a siphon is used in order to drain grow beds conveniently. This is important or else algae will begin to grow inside the tubing. Note that U siphons should be kept out of sunlight or be made of dark material. The water will proceed to drain from the grow bed until the water level has reduced enough to allow air to re-enter the tube. It is in this way that the siphon effect is created. The water flow rises till all the air has been expelled from the tube.
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The loop can be adjusted as many times as you need, making the U siphon very flexible. This height will denote the maximum height that the water will reach in the grow bed. You can adjust the loop to whatever height you deem necessary. The placement of the U siphon involves the tubing coming out of the grow bed. It is made of PVC and sometimes also referred to as loop siphons (read: is PVC safe?).
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What Is a U Siphon?Ī U siphon refers to piping which is used to drain media beds.
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We will specifically be looking at the U siphon for aquaponics today and how it can be a great addition to your system instead of the standard bell siphon. Its purpose is to create an integrated system where the waste produced by the fish provides nutrients for the bacteria, while bacteria filter the water for the plants. Its name is, in fact, a combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (soil-less growing of plants). Aquaponics is a specific type of farming that combines raising fish with growing plants without the use of soil.