Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm still pouring over the old posts available here and learning much, but it occurred to me today I have read bits and pieces in many different topics about the chemicals in the water and find I lack a solid understanding of what the levels of each chemical should be.

I have figured out that these variables are not static and depend on many facts from the number of fish and their size to what types of plants you are growing and what stage of growth they are in.

For a begginer, could ya'll please provide a brief synopsis of what to expect from the first start-up of the system, including common corresponding chemical levels and progress forward to acceptable levels for first plantings. Please feel free to go on and on and on..........

Perhaps there is a post which already covers this topic somewhere in here if so forgive me and please point me to it, if not maybe some of the new members like me will benefit as well.


TX

TXP,

All the topics in the link below that have a little PADLOCK next to them

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11

starting off with the nitrogen cycle

If those had been snakes they'd of bit me.................I hate snakes.

Thanks Steve, I knew ya'll would guide me. Before this exercise is complete I may have learned something.

TX

i'm going to try and move them firther up the page, as there is good info that i think newbies are missing.

By chemical levels I assume you are referring to Ammonia, Nitrita and Nitrate? Note that Nitrite and Nitrate are different, nitrite is toxic to the fish, nitrate isn't (until VERY high levels, above 160ppm).

Once your system is established you want to aim for 0 ammonia and nitrites, and some nitrates (there is no real accepted level, probably between 20 and 140ppm). The pH should be somewhere near neutral, adding some shell grit will help in this regard.

I was going to write about cycling new tanks, but it has been done already. Read the following threads for guidance.
The Nitrogen Cycle & Nitrifying Bacteria Facts
Ammonia - The Silent Killer
Nitrite And Fish Health

That should tell you all you need to know.

Nova

Well, way too slow there.

Nova

hi guys
hubby and i have about 50 bobs in a 100lt tub and all has been fine until recently. we use tank water (as we thought this would be better quality) and have had tomatoes, sweet potato and rockmelon growing. but our bobs are slowly starting to die off and we at worst had 4 die in one night. we have tested the water for ammonia and nitrate and the levels are ok. however when we tested acid levels we got a ph of 6.6. is this enough to be killing off the bobs and what do you think has caused it. the water out of our drinking tank is the same. any advice would be great as hubby is going into a severe mourning. we feed the bobs left over food scraps and they really love pumpkin skin, lettuce and cucumber. there is no waste. could the food scaps be killing them. please help
cheers marnie

Marnie,
what is a bob?

How long have they been in the tub?

soubnds like yabbies, am i right?

yabbies prefer a higher PH, in the 8's, but will be fine at 7.0 to 7.5

they have trouble in their moulting with a low ph

thought thats what you got when a job was done for your neighbour.
sometimes two bob. isn't that right Ell.

ok guys so i mean yabbies (bobs are our nickname for our babies). so what do i do now. do i add shell grit to make the ph 8 or is there any other ideas for a faster result. hubby jumping for joy that we have some leads.
thanks