Sideliner Syrup System

[@bobbinnie9872]

Hi Nathan. Just a thought. As diaphragm pumps get bigger (more GPM) they can also have a higher pressure shut off switch. Anything over 45psi tends to make the trigger harder to pull on your style nozzle. We use the same style nozzle that you do. Great video as always.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Bob! I don’t have a lot of trouble with the 45 psi, but did consider swapping it for a 35. The only real issue is when air is in the line and it blows out and spatters syrup in my face. Always fun.

[@3Beehivesto300]

Bob I bet if you try the new nozzle with 60 psi you would be surprised at how easy it is to squeeze.

[@daverowden-RowdyBeeFarms]

I am hoping I don’t get big enough that I need a syrup pump. Interesting set up though. Thanks for the video like always

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Dave!

[@kaistumer198]

Well allready with 30 hives i would think about one

[@DuckRiverHoney]

True, at certain times of year.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Sweet deal

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Little different in scale from you Ian. Probably fewer headaches as well though 😂

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I use gravity, a tank and a hose. So far we’ve carried 1 1/2 semi loads of syrup in pails. Your pump system looks appealing! I’d just need to scale up the pump and hose

[@davezman2295]

I got 135 hives. I use five gallon buckets and mixing with my hand. I use quart jars. I manually scoop sugar water into the bottlesTakes a little over an hour and a half to to fill the bottles. Total 4 hrs to feed my bees driving time and all. Also. I feed at night in my t-shirt

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@markepping2307]

I got a older cattle trailer washed it out plywood on the floor I got to put a bench in front and a few cabinets for grafting stuff got everything I need to go work bees and end of day just unhook and truck is freed up

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Sweet, sounds like a good setup.

[@timmorris7022]

Oh man 100 hives ,thats a lot of work .Im mixing in 5 gallon buckets but only feeding 11 hives and for me right now is all i need with my work schedule. I like your setup and have thought about just buying a 30 gal spot sprayer and converting it into a mixing tank for my application. Thanks for posting Nathan !

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Tim!

[@brianbennett4374]

Thanks for your time I really enjoy and appreciate all you share. Thanks 😊

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Brian!

[@tmv5989]

I bet you could use an air compressor to pop the crushed drum back out to use again

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ve considered it. I also thought of using a compressor to pressurize the tank so I don’t need a pump!

[@andywhite9932]

I finally bit the bullet and got one of those marco pumps like Bobs. Haven’t regretted it at all. I also got a battery extension cable from lowes with a male and female plug to wire to truck. I just plug in pump when feeding and remove it when finished

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Good system, I may move to a Marco someday, or a compressor.

[@ToBeeOrNotToBeHoney]

Glad you made this. I am slowly growing and currently still mix in a pot on the stove, soon I will need to do something else...

[@DuckRiverHoney]

A home brew bucket and drill mixer is good for smaller batches.

[@ToBeeOrNotToBeHoney]

@@DuckRiverHoney I am really following our journey closely because I am close to retiring from my day job and thinking about making the hobby something more. I am up to 8 hives that I believe have a decent chance of wintering, then inspring I will decide if I want to make honey with those or split for more hives... Keep posting videos of your journey, I wish I had someone to help my take videos, but I don't :(

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@kaistumer198]

What really wonders me, in the US many people start to mess around barrels for feeding, specially when growing. Why not straight go for an IBC tote? IBC totes are cheap and available in all sizes from 300 to 1000 L. Nearly no one here messes with other tank systems. Even ppl with just 50 hives and feeding systems will normally run a 600 L IBC maybe a 300 L one. For the reel and hose, look up craigslist or so and look for used wall fire hydrant reels. They are industrial quality and have a high quality hose on them. Those are often sold for 10-20$ since no one reuses them.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks! I’ll move to an IBC tote at some point, but I’ll have to trailer it, so the drum in the bed is more convenient.

[@3Beehivesto300]

I use the harbor, freight trash pump. The flow rate is so high you will want to have it in a tote. 2” pump

[@3Beehivesto300]

SEAFLO 55-Series Diaphragm Pump - 12V DC, 5.5 GPM, 60 PSI With iSpring WSP-500 Reusable Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter, 500 Micron Flushable Prefilter Filtration, 20GPM, 1" MNPT + 3/4" FNPT, Brass Had mine for 5 years

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Have any issues with the 60 psi switch?

[@3Beehivesto300]

@@DuckRiverHoney no issue at all. Same pump and same diesel fuel nozzle for years. The only issue I had was the filter was to fine but after switching to the 500 micron cold syrup will flow through it.

[@paulhicks7991]

Thanks Nathan. Syrup system is a necessity for next year(really actually this past year). Appreciate the details and thoughts on improving and upgrading. Was really hoping for a "Luke, I am your father" while your head was in the barrel at about 3:30 :)

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Lol!

[@thebeekeepersworkshop]

I was watching Bobs video on this subject, but I was thinking that you could use a gravity feed with a gas tap on the end

[@DuckRiverHoney]

That would probably work with a full tank and bottom outlet but as the head pressure drops your fill speed will drop off quickly.

[@sawmillcharliesbeefarm]

If you have a four prong trailer plug for lights on a small trailer you could plug your pump into that for power and get rid of your battery.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ve got a 7 prong, I could do that, but I had the battery already.

[@GEEZBEEZ]

Nice setup. Thanks for the information. Take care

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Garry!

[@jtlearn1]

What if you use a tire valve and leave the stem in? Will it collapse the spring in a vacuum?

[@PeabodysApiary]

I heard you say a splash of bleach … how much is that I use a 50 gallon drum as well. Roughly 40 ish gallons of syrup at a time when feeding

[@michaelfike7542]

You can get a small vent tube with a vented cap like goes on a small hydraulic tank should work fine to keep anything from getting in.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Yep, I thought about adding some window screen with a zip tie, but it has t been a big issue.

[@kaistumer198]

Well normally all you nee is to drill a 1/10 Hole, that is allready enough. But better drill a bigger hole and add a screened plug from a feeding bucket. Easy to replace with a closed plug and the screen even keeps Ants out

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@lagrangebees]

My syrup system consists of a drill and a paint mixing attachment thankfully I only have 30 3 gallon pails to make to feed my hives >.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I still use a drill for small batches.

[@bobhudson3875]

Hi Nathan, Great videos. I am a newby and have a serious question. Why worry about a food grade barrel if you are still using garden hose, and regular nozzle and pump. The only food grade part of the system seems to be the barrel. Thanks Bob

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Used drums and used IBC totes are often used for petroleum or agricultural chemicals. By getting food grade tanks you can be more confident you won’t feed bees any harmful chemical residue.

[@TexasBeekeeper]

Really appreciate your links to the different items. It's a nice setup you have there. I've got a large tote, but I think I'm ahead of my time on it for right now. Would like to set up around a 55 gallon setup similar to what you have for now since that's more in line with what I would use. Edit: On that 3/4" Rubber Hose, is that 3/4 NPT thread on that? Online it just says 3/4 I.D. But doesn't specify the thread. Trying to figure out which nozzle I need. The 1" or the 3/4". Thanks.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Get a 1” nozzle and adapt it, and garden hose is GHT, not NPT. You’ll need an adapter from a hardware store.

[@TexasBeekeeper]

@@DuckRiverHoney appreciate it!

[@corygriesemer645]

For a 55 gallon tank how many pounds of sugar and gallons of water to blend 1:1 and 2:1 ratios?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Roughly 200 lbs of sugar to make 1:1. I don’t make 2:1 as I get them all fed before cold weather hits.

[@brandonpowell5852]

Why do you add the bleach to your feed? And how much do you add?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

A cup per 55 gallon drum. scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-beespart-4-timing-and-tummy-aches/#:~:text=Fresh%20chlorinated%20syrup%20also%20disinfects,for%20long%2Dterm%20effects).

[@weslypype1]

What's your method for mixing sugar within the tank?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Fill tank about halfway, turn on trolling motor, pour sugar in. Top it off with water.

[@gregcundiff]

@@DuckRiverHoney Do you use hot or cold water? I'm building a similar system this winter. Thanks.

[@billymiller1954]

Great video! This is the exact information I have been looking for. I currently carry five, 5 gallon buckets to my Bee yard with a hand truck. The area is accessible with a vehicle so I plan on putting this system together before Spring. I do have a question, did you get someone to design your labels or did you do that yourself? If so, who was it, if they do this publicly. Thanks for the guidance again. 💪🏻🐝💪🏻

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I hired a graphic designer to help me, but they don’t do this sort of work regularly.

[@billymiller1954]

@@DuckRiverHoney thank you

[@DuckRiverHoney]

No worries

[@mattharrison8029]

To relate on your question... I hired a local artist to make my "logo," then I used Canva to build the label. Then, had a local printer make my labels. I'm trying to keep as much of my business as local as I can economically.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

👍

[@donjohnsen6052]

Why do you add bleach to the syrup, this is the first time i have ever heard of that.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Take a look at this article - scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-beespart-4-timing-and-tummy-aches/#:~:text=Fresh%20chlorinated%20syrup%20also%20disinfects,for%20long%2Dterm%20effects).

[@chuckgross6024]

How much bleach do you add per gallon?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I add a cup per 55 gallon tank.

[@johniac7078]

Great info as always. Question, what do you do to control mold in your syrup? Thanks.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-beespart-4-timing-and-tummy-aches/#:~:text=Fresh%20chlorinated%20syrup%20also%20disinfects,for%20long%2Dterm%20effects).