Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been thinking about playing around with a small aquaponics system for the summer, and I think I've worked out most of the details except for one nagging problem; establishing the cycling. I haven't bought anything yet, because I'm a bit concerned that it'll take me too long to establish the cycling, to the point that it's not worth trying the whole thing.

I understand that the bacteria need to actually attach to the walls and rocks of my system and actually colonize it, but I'm curious about what would happen if I did any of the following. Which of these are good / bad ideas, and why?

• Getting some used aquarium filters from my local pet store to attach to my pump
• Using some used gravel from established aquariums from the pet store
• Using water from the pet store aquariums
• Filling my FT with water from a local freshwater fishing lake
• Gathering algae / rocks from local fishing lake and putting them in the FT
• Using Nutrafin Cycle as soon as I put water in the FT

I am only planning on using about 10 channel cat fingerlings in a 110 gal stock tank and can test the ammonia / nitrites / pH at least every day.

I'd defer to anyone with more experience but my answer would be to get some water from a local lake and cycle it for a wile.

I would not recommend getting anything from any local creeks etc because you do not know what could be on them. Think diseases, chemicals etc.

Anything from an established aquarium will certainly help to kick start your colony. Cleaning the filter from an established aquarium, adding water etc. Cleaning the filter will most likely give you the best kick start....

Excellent, the fish guy from the pet store was very happy to help, I can chat more with him about it.

I wasn't thinking about local creeks, but rather man-made lakes that are stocked and maintained by my local Game and Parks commission. Fishing and hunting are very popular around here, and there are tons of small lakes and ponds that are managed by the wildlife folks. Would those be OK? I can definitely get enough water that way!

Hi zenwebb,

Using local lake water is risky as there could be parasites or harmful bacteria in the water. I don't think it's a good idea but you might want to try it anyway as an experiment. The thing is with aquaponics once your system is running, barring accidents, your water requirements should be quite low. As the system auto-filters the water and you only have to replace what is taken up in the plants and lost through evaporation.

If there is a local expert you can talk to maybe he can give you information on the health of the water in some of the lakes?

Regards, Martin.

For what you would gain zenwebb, i dont think i would worry. Just use tap/bore/well water in your system and clean a few filters.

The water or filter from any aquarium pet store could be just as contaminated or worst, I would use ammonia in small doses until the cycling is completed, all depending from your water temperature!
After all the bacteria are already present in the water all you have to do is provide food for them(ammonia)
Far safer than a water source you can not test for pathogens/chemical etc..

The same could be said for any well/bore/rain or tap water.

When adding tap water etc make sure it is gassed off.. try get the chlorine out of it. I am no expert on this but from what i understand it can kill the bacteria off. This should aid it in cycling faster and probably something to consider when ever topping up.

You can purchase powdered bacteria or I think BYAP sell it in liquid form which may help but just as easy i reckon with the pet place. even if you could get some used gravel/ stones from an established aquarium leave in a stocking or similar hanging in your water or grow bed unitl cycled.

In saying this i have learnt that it pays to be patient with it.

Zenwebb,

Any of your suggestions will assist the cycling but let me tell you that the assistance is very, very minimal. Ive seeded systems before with colonized media and water from an exsisting system and I didnt notice any difference at all in regards to cycling time. My heated aquarium project is another one that Ive done just recently whereas I was changing out 30% of the water everyday and topping back up with my AP water. It has been 4 weeks of cycling and the nitrites are just slowly starting to come down... prob another week or so to go which is typical of a cycling time anyways.

Im not sure what your trying to achieve? Cycling is cycling and if you want to start an AP system well that is a big part of it. I cant see how it would deem it "not worth trying the whole thing"

Cycling is a very educational part of staring and owning a system, it cant be skipped or hurried. Treat it as an important process to success.

Sorry I fail to understand what you mean about too long to cycle to make it worth trying? It takes 4 to 6 weeks to cycle all by itself then it takes months for your fish and plants to grow to any decent size anyway. What's your hurry?

Ha Charlie beat me to it

After the end of August I will have no time to maintain the system, and have no place to put it. So for me, it's not worth it to spend all summer setting up and establishing a system, just to take it all down at the end of August.

In other words, its not worth doing for me if I don't have any time to actually use the system to grow anything usable.

Seems odd to me that if the goal is to establish live bacteria, you can't transplant it from an established system.

Can I establish the system with fish and plants installed? Or does it have to be the empty FT and GB for at least a month before I can actually do anything else?

If you have to pull it down in August... your right, its probably not worth it.

There's absolutely no reason why you can't add plants... and fish.... into your system from day 1....

You don't have to "fishless cycle"... you can cycle with fish... you just have to be a little more careful and diligent with your testing and feeding...