Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All
The system has been running for two weeks and Rup is delivering Trout in a few days. I have just done a test and want to know how my system is looking so far.Any advice on preparing for the delivery.

I haven't been following your thead...
What have you added?

The system is brand new, my first one. It is a 1100L tank with 2 x 550L GB. I have 6 small gold fish in it.
I have just started getting readings when testing. The system has been in for two weeks.
The water is very dirty with suspended clay. Have tried to filter it out with a 15 micron filter which did nothing.
Will stick with the nappies as they seem to be working ok.

Did you fill with rain water?

The clay is not a problem, just ask Troutman
The pH looked a little high.
And I was surprised to see elevated levels were with a few goldies.

Yes rainwater was used to fill the tank

High range ph test please. That water should have well and truley settled by now.

... no more of natures "amber fluid"... let the tank and levels settle...

And I happen to know that the tank was seeded with aquaria gunk as well...

Haven't added the the amber part of the test kit for a week or so. Two lots of fish bowl gunk so far.

A new system will take over a month to process amber fluid.

Relax, keep testing every day or so. Minimal to no feed for the fish. Several weeks from now there should be a sudden drop in nitrites along with a likely drop in pH and the water should be clearing the whole time. Be ready to buffer the pH when it does drop. Then start ramping up the feed slowly, watching the water tests for spikes as you do increase feed or fish load. The next couple weeks are the hard part where patients is needed. Once your bio-slime takes hold, it will take hold of much of the particles in the water and help to clear your system.

Will do a high range PH test now and repost

and?

Have tested again this morning and ph was in high range, added some ph down and have retested. Down in the mid 6's now, but now the nitrite has jumped to 1.0 is this normal. Does adding ph down have any effect on the nitrate test.

Here are todays test results. The only thing i have done is add ph down.

I would say that you probably added too much pH down. A key to AP and fish keeping is gradual adjustments. Most people seem to think a pH of 7 would be perfect for AP. If pH drops too low the bacteria quit working, if the pH is too high, the plants have trouble getting certain nutrients. Changing pH too fast can slow down your bacteria since they have to get used to the new levels. If there are fish in the system and you do a sudden pH change, you can kill them.