Hi all! I am a newbie on here
About 5 weeks ago, I set up an IBC chop and flip aquaponics system. I have started cycling with a few goldfish (5 to be exact), and have planted out a few seeds in the grow bed already (although I know they may not do well until the cycle is established). I have been testing the water every other day for the 5 weeks, and my ammonia levels are at around 4ppm and have been for about 3 weeks now, but there is still no signs of nitrites or nitrates. The fish are still ok (goldfish are pretty hardy), but I was expecting that I might have got some bacteria in there by now.
My question is this: We have a very well established pond in the backyard (has koi in it). Can I use some of the filter media from the pond to kickstart the cycle in the aquaponics? I was thinking of just rinsing/squeezing the slime from the filter out into the media bed, to see if I can get the bacteria colonising and starting to eat my ammonia up. Has anyone done this, and what sort of success have you had?
Thanks in advance!