This document provides instructions for constructing an aquaponics bell siphon. It describes cutting PVC pipes to specific lengths and connecting them using primer, glue and fittings to create the bell siphon assembly. This includes a bell pipe with notched teeth, a standpipe, drainpipe, and gravel guard. It also details installing the bell siphon assembly in the grow bed using a uniseal fitting to control water levels for plant growth.

1. L’autosiphon est ce qui contrôle le niveau de
l'eau dans votre espace de culture afin
d’assurer la croissance et la bonne santé
des plantes.
Jon Higa
Email: jhiga@usa.com
Traduit par Tedy
Email: aquaclic@gmail.com

3. Colonne de
descente
Tuyaux
d’évacuation
Cloche
Joint Uniseal
Protection

4. Using a Hack saw or Mitre saw cut a length of 4 ¾
inch from the 1 inch PVC pipe. Next, connect
the pipe you just cut to the PVC cap using PVC
primer and glue.
Applying PVC primer to
outside of 1 inch PVC pipe
Applying PVC primer
to the side of PVC cap

5. Applying PVC glue
over the primer
Push, twist, and hold
together for 30 seconds
The primer and glue with react chemically
and bond - Let cure for 30 minutes

6. Using a power drill and a ¼ inch drill bit; Drill
through the cap and and shaft of the bellpipe.

7. Insert a length of vinyl tubing so that it extends ¼
of an inch into the interior of the bell cap.

8. Apply a bead of silicone to the vinyl tubing to
secure to the bell cap and also to create and
airtight seal.

9. Train the vinyl tubing along the shaft of the bell
pipe and secure the top and bottom (if
desired) with tie straps. Let silicone cure for 48
hours.

10. To create the teeth at the bottom of the bellpipe,
secure with a vise grip and notch the four
teeth with either a hack saw or rotary tool.

11. Remove the notches with pliers using a rocking
motion.

12. Congratulations you have completed the most
difficult part of your aquaponics system!

13. Using a Hack saw or Mitre saw cut the following
lengths from the ½ inch PVC pipe:
Standpipe = 6 inches
Drainpipe = 1 – 7 inch piece and 1 – 2 inch piece.
Connect both pieces with two 90 degree elbows.
Standpipe
= 6 inches Drainpipe
= 7 inches
Drainpipe
Downspout = 2 inches

14. The Medium Guard will allow water to enter your
bellpipe and also help to prevent debris from
clogging your siphon. They are relatively
simple to construct by either cutting
equidistant horizontal lines along the length of
the 2 inch PVC pipe or by drilling holes.

15. Step 1
Install the Uniseal fitting that will hold the
standpipe in the grow bed and drain the water
into the fish tank. Use a 1 ¼ inch hole saw to
drill a hole in the bottom of the grow bed.

16. Step 2
Next, push the Uniseal fitting into the hole. Once
the fitting is secure, push the stand pipe
through the fitting so that 2 inches extends
below the grow bed and 4 inches above.
Tip: Use a small amount of petroleum jelly or soap on the inside of the Uniseal
fitting. You will have a much easier time pushing the stand pipe through.

17. Important Note: Prior to pushing the standpipe
though the Uniseal fitting, you will probably
feel that the fitting feels loose in the hole that
you just drilled; don’t worry, the fitting will
expand to a very snug fit once you push the
stand pipe through.

18. Step 3
You may need to make some micro adjustments,
so that the height of your standpipe is even
with the bottom of your bellpipe cap. The
height of your standpipe dictates the height of
the water level in your grow bed. Keep in mind
that when the grow bed is filled with medium,
the maximum water level should remain 1-2
inches below the surface of the medium. This
ensures algae and unwanted weeds will not
grow. That is why the depth of the grow bed is
six inches and the height of the standpipe is
four.

19. Note the bottom of the bell cap and the height of
the standpipe are both 4 inches. The drain level
should be determined before the gravel guard and
medium are added.

20. Step 4
Place the bell pipe over the stand pipe so that the
teeth rest evenly on the Uniseal fitting. Next,
place the gravel guard over the bell siphon.

21. Step 5
Finally, assemble the drainpipe extending from
the bottom of the standpipe on the underside
of the grow bed.
Drainpipe
Bottom of Standpipe