Yep, it’s the flow rate. Either build a siphon with a smaller tube so you don’t need as much water flow to kick it on or try affnan’s approach to reduce the water flow requirement for the same size pipe in traditional siphon builds.

Yes, I have several systems ranging from 10 gallons to 10,000 gallons.

LOL, is that you jackalope from montana?

Britta, this is 100% possible. The only real problem you run into is, what plants will you grow? Otherwise, it’s essentially the same as freshwater aquaponics.

The pH will come down naturally as bacteria release hydrogen ions (protons) into the water, which brings the pH down. Your pH is not bad at all. The plants don’t love this pH, but the bacteria do, which keeps the water clean for the fish. Do not use baking soda (sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen [...]