Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day guys,

Got my master test kit today and took the first readings:

Nitrate - 2.5ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Ammonia - 0.25ppm
PH - 7.9
Temp - 15.5deg C
Time - 6pm 27/06/12

If you haven't seen the set up its in the Double IBC thread. It's only been operating as a continous flow for 3 days, got about 7 goldies left out of 10. Seedlings going alright but hasn't been much sun lately.

Dosed a cap ful of Seasol for the first 3 days. Haven't introduced anything else.

Does anyone think I need a water heater to get things speeding up a bit?

How are those for readings?

Cheers!

Ph...

What happened to the other three?

No. Patience Grasshopper, patience.


You've just started the nitrification process; it's going to take up to about 8 weeks.

I am going to guess the nitrates in your system came from either the Seasol or another contaminant/additive. You should be expecting to see something like:

although amplitude will differ in every different system. (Ignore the arrow, that was from another post)


Scott

_________________
2008-2009: Experimental, NFT
2010-2012: IBC system(s)
2012-Now : 1000L FT, 500L GB, 23/25 trout (added 27Apr. 2 jumpers)

SkyPE: wabbit.com.au

The other three died! One of them developed a slight white fungus... it was removed and I salted to 1ppm - the other two appeared very sluggish after being introduced into the new tank and I noticed them dead today. I'm not sure as to why, there is plenty of DO - maybe it was stress? Are goldies happy in water at 15.5deg C?

Yeah I thought the nitrate reading was wierd after such a short time!

I read in some of the threads that the bacteria growth is slowed or non-existant at low temps. I understand cycling takes patience and more patience and in winter even more patience! Buuuttt... so definately no heater?

Anywhere between freezing and boiling! I've found goldfish to be almost bullet-proof; they've survived HSMs that killed many other species.


Is 15 your air temp or water temp? Either way, that's fine.


There is no sense in wasting $$$ and electricity. The more you try to push things, the more things will go wrong. There are hundreds of threads where this has happened. If you wanted fish and veges for tomorrow, you should have started six months ago!


Scott

_________________
2008-2009: Experimental, NFT
2010-2012: IBC system(s)
2012-Now : 1000L FT, 500L GB, 23/25 trout (added 27Apr. 2 jumpers)

SkyPE: wabbit.com.au

Seasol isn't an ammonia source... so if you want to promote cycling, you'll need to provide one...

Urea, urine, pure ammonia... even charlie carp, or similar fish emulsions..

_________________
>

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

A new system at this time of year I would be just growing a few lettuce and maybe spring onions. I find these grow well with low nutrients.
My big system is nearly two years old and has 20 x 600g silvers and 30 small silvers and catfish and the plants in that are not doing much. The ibc bed that is connected to my fish pond with 20 or so goldfish is growing herbs ok

_________________
IBC system
Bigger system
Greenhouse system
Horsham Aquaponics

Cheers Scott and Mantis...

The few goldies won't be enough John?

Goldfish should be fine but you maybe need a few more and also feed them some proper fish pellets that are high protein. Looks like you have much milder weather at Gosford than we do here in the wimmera plains in winter. So the goldies should feed well

_________________
IBC system
Bigger system
Greenhouse system
Horsham Aquaponics

Sorry Coast.... missed that you had some Goldies in there...

Yeah... they'll do the job... but patience is still in order... it's winter... and nature will just take it's time....

_________________
>

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

Well.... I had a check today and I think there are only 6 goldies left. Also noticed some of the plants are getting some serious yellow leaves. Checked the forum, think its probably an iron deficiency cue to high ph. Threw in two tsps of chelated iron. PH was sitting about 8 today. Nitrate/ite both 0. Ammonia 0.35ppm ish.

Will 6 goldies be enough ammonia for the two GBs of plants?

It seems your goldies aren't that productive with respect to ammonia and your plants could use a pep, so I'd very carefully add (ratio) 20mL Charlie Carp to 1000L of water. Dilute some outside the system, then add the diluted CC, just in case. You're looking to get the cycling started with an ammonia reading of about 2-4ppm. Pump continuously for a few days and make sure the water is well oxygenated.

But, most of all : have patience.


Scott

_________________
2008-2009: Experimental, NFT
2010-2012: IBC system(s)
2012-Now : 1000L FT, 500L GB, 23/25 trout (added 27Apr. 2 jumpers)

SkyPE: wabbit.com.au

Yeah thanks Bunson - I'll grab some CC tomorrow - I thought the ammonia was a little low. Would it be worth throwing in some feeder fish? Found a local bloke who does them for .20c for 3cm guppies.

Well the 20ml of charlie carp made a difference. Nitrate 3ppm today, Ammonia 0.7ppm ish (wavering between 0.5 and 1) - PH 7.8 - using lemons to try to reduce each day.

Got 50 feeder fish and 2 small koi in there too. The 6 goldfish, guppies and koi seem to be happy but don't really go for the food when I put it in?!

Ammonia at 2ppm today, Nitrate 1ppm, Nitrite 0 and Ph 7.8 Water temp 15.5deg C