Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi

I'm extremely green when it comes to AP but have just installed a space saver system purchased from Dean at Growfresh. Its been running for a week now. Don't have any fish in as yet, waiting for some silver perch.
The water in the system came from a rainwater tank that had a PH of 6.8-7 but the PH in the fish tank is constant 8. I seeded the system initially with seasol & apparently my two boys took a leak in the tank (seemed like a good idea at the time according to them). I Was able to lower the PH to 7.2 with lemon juice, but the next day it was back up to 8. Should I continue to try and lower it artificially or will it right itself given time.
Will the raised PH affect what can be grown in the system initially or do i just go ahead & plant it out.

PH 8
Ammonia .5
everything else 0

Hi and welcome without fish dont bother about lowering it do you have a test kit if not get one
your system will probley take 3 to 4 weeks to cycl
if fishless cycling a 1/2 doz stubbies and a good piddle wont hert
you will get amonia ist then the others will follow when they reach 0 then its cycled
Mind you you can put a few gold fish in now just test mice

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If it/s free pick it up
If it isent broke dont fix it

Thanks F&F
I think i'll continue with the fishless cycling & just be patient, which from reading past threads seems to be the wise thing to do.

I spent 2 years at Crib Point

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My New Commercial System - viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6616
My Work - http://www.goldfieldsmc.com.au

a bit quieter & cooler than Kalgoorlie

Hi

Added fish to my system Tuesday before Christmas, 30 SP approx 50mm long. Had been feeding them daily about a tspoon of 1mm floating pellets crushed. Just found 1 dead on the btm of the tank. Didn't have any damage.

System is a BYAP grow bed over a 1000 ltr FT, flood & drain 15 mins on , 30 mins off. No additional oxygen.

water test results:
Temp 16
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 40-80 ppm
ammonia b/t 0 & .25 ppm
ph 8.2

any suggestions\advice would be greatly appreciated

Hey mate!!! It's not uncommon to lose 10% of the fish due to transport stress, environment change etc. If you lose anymore I'd look into it further. Extra aeration will help them, they will survive without it but will grow better, feed better and be healthier with it, when temps rise oxy levels drop so i' recommend some air asap.

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Cheers!

Jamey.

Thanks Jamie,

I was hoping it would be something like that. Will keep an eye on things.

Can you recommend an auxillary air pump & what would i expect to pay for one


Todd

Check that there isn't any feed accumulating on the bottom... at 16 degrees... they may not eat more than every second day....

And 16 degrees is cold for little fingerlings.... mind you your tank should warm after a few consecutive warmer days...

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Fresh By Nature - Distributor of Aquaponic Systems and Products in NSW
http://www.freshbynature.com.au

all seems ok this morning. Doesn't appear to be any food accumulation but wont feed today.
Weather supposed to get to 38 on friday & saturday, SP's should like that a little better.
Will the higher temp affect oxygen levels to the point where i need extra air in the fish tank? I only have 29 fish (50mm long) in a 1000 ltr tank.

Todd

Supplementary aeration is always a good idea IMO.... especially when temps are up...

Buy a rechargable 2 outlet air pump... it will give you battery backup if the power fails as well...

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Fresh By Nature - Distributor of Aquaponic Systems and Products in NSW
http://www.freshbynature.com.au

Thanks Rupert

Can you suggest a brand & size of airpump & also where they might be available from.
As you can probably guess all this is new to me.

Todd

Salt is also a good idea, especially when cycling. Many run their systems with 1ppt, some as high as 3ppt. Helps with nitrites etc.

Hijack: I'm curious how fast urea turns to ammonia in a new system or in a cycled system. It might be that once the system is cycled it would still be fine to add urea (from whatever source) to supplement that excreted by the fish. Anyone?

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This has been a test life. It is only a test. If this had an actual life you would have been given instructions on where to go and what to do.

WARNING: I suffer from ideaphoria. This post may contain untested ideas, errors, and excessive enthusiasm.

Actually saw the tiny silvers feeding
Had to peer through the shade cloth & murky water but saw them come up through the water column & take some feed of the surface.

Hi

Finally took a photo of my system. Installed 2 months ago just to learn the ropes. yesterday moved the fish tank into the shed. Mainly because of algae problems & access to the fish tank. Already wanting to expand.

Todd