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| Sludge for new system http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4066 |
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| Author: | Mr Fisho [ Sep 3rd, '08, 19:26 ] |
| Post subject: | Sludge for new system |
I have a fishpond with filter that has been in for a couple of years and the water is crystal clear although it only has a few gold fish in it. Would it be beneficial to take some of the sludge from the filter and add it to the new AP system to start the bacteria off? Should i add it to the grow beds or into the water? Thanks, Terry |
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| Author: | Jaymie [ Sep 3rd, '08, 19:32 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
yes, use it. Squeeze it over some of the mid level gravel |
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| Author: | King Erik the 14th [ Sep 3rd, '08, 19:34 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
Absolutely, there will be plenty of bacteria in there to help you start off. I dont suppose that it really matters where you put it as it will start to multiply and circulate through the system quickly enough, but when I did it I through it on the grow bed. Throw in some of the pond water as well. |
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| Author: | steve [ Sep 3rd, '08, 19:44 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
KE, the specific ones we are after are non motile (they cant move and have to be attached to a surface)so if transplanting media jaymies instructions are sound. I'd still do it the same way if i was using sludge as i reckon some of the sludge would be just as happy a place for the bacteria to attach to as any  mid level provides a place where the gravel wont dry out but is 100% guaranteed to have good flow and O2 |
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| Author: | TCLynx [ Sep 3rd, '08, 21:44 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
Yep, what they said. If I were building an AP system where I had an established pond handy, I would take the filter from the skimmer box and lay in in a half filled grow bed to spray it out with well water. This is of course depending on well water rather than treated city water. Another method would be to swish the filter out in a bucket of rain water, dechlorinated water or the pond water and then pour the bucket over that middle layer of gravel. Make sure that once you seed the system, don't let the goodies dry out (that is keep the system running on schedule once you seed it.) And it will be time to start feeding the bacteria colony once you've seeded it so that it may grow rather than dwindle. Small amounts of humonia, fish food, or even adding a few fish should take care of that. |
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| Author: | King Erik the 14th [ Sep 4th, '08, 08:27 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
Steve, the bacteria dont have to be motile, thats one of the reasons we have a pump! We know that if you put bacteria in one place such as the middle of a grow bed they will eventually spread throughout the whole grow bed, walls of tank, pipework, and any surface, not because they can walk but because they are circulated by the pumping of the water. In that case it doesnt matter where you put them as long as its not on the surface where they will be killed by the UV or dry out. |
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| Author: | jessy [ Sep 4th, '08, 08:54 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
The bacteria deal, and I am glad to tell this sad tale so no other newbies are taken advantage of aswell. I was so worried when I started my system about not having the bacteria for the nitrofication process I went searching on line and bought Nitrosomanas concentrate and nitrobacter concentrate from an eastern states online aquaponics store for $250. Did it work, doubt it !! system still took 4 weeks to cycle. |
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| Author: | EllKayBee [ Sep 4th, '08, 09:00 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
Bugger - sorry to hear about that Jess  I cycled the long way with goldfish and it took ~3 weeks...now TCL has written a good article on peeponics - so it hurts when ppl get stung...thanks for letting us all know 
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| Author: | King Erik the 14th [ Sep 4th, '08, 09:03 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
If you were going to buy bacteria I would recommend getting it in a dry (powder) form as it is more stable. The liquid form could be dead and you wouldn't know it. Jes I didnt think t would be that expensive??? I paid abut $30 for a powder but in the end I probably didn't need it anyway. |
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| Author: | jessy [ Sep 4th, '08, 09:12 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
powder sound just as a rip off as my liquid sludge,  any way shit happens.Just wanted to give a heads up for someone starting a new system , to be patient and not fret.  to the supplier , will never ever look let alone buy from them again.
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| Author: | steve [ Sep 4th, '08, 16:22 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Sludge for new system |
i hear ya KE, but i'm fairly sure that the bacteria live as an attached organism to a surface, hence gravel with bacteria attached wont mean that they will let go and float (be pumped) elsewhere. i'd assume that they expand out. Dried bac would be useless as far as the nitrifying (the non heterotrphoic) type that are the basis of the deal can not survive any drying process. The document in the useful info section contains all this. |
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