Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey guys, I just picked up 55L of expanded clay balls that someone was using as media in a very large sump/filter.

I was planning on keeping the balls in aerated water until my system is plumbed and running.

Wondering if anyone had any knowledge of bacteria viability in those kinds of conditions. They will be kept in a dark, double brick storage room I have attatched to my garage.

Any opinions or previous experience would be greatly appreciated. Any tips or tricks to help them last as long as possible would be appreciated.

Cheers

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If you have an Ammonia test kit (recommended for every new AP system), then add Seasol Powerfeed a small dash (about half a capful) at a time and test the following day. You want 1.0 to 2.0ppm to keep the bacteria happy. Don't over do it, at 8.0ppm the Amm will kill off the bacteria colony.

Thanks Mr Damage, I do have a test kit for my existing community aquarium. I shall do as advised and try to keep the water at those parameters. Cheers

The nitrifiers are surprisingly durable as long as the media stays moist and aerated. If you're going to be using these in the next few months, you don't really have to go to the trouble of feeding. I have stored media from a grow bed in the original plastic bags for 6 months in a cool basement - it stayed moist and when used, the system was already cycled (at least for the light fish loads I use). Some other people here have had similar experiences. I believe that some of the bacteria die off and along with the continued breakdown of detritis and waste provide the food for the others so feeding may not be necessary, the numbers will fall but there are millions or more to begin with.

What Mr. D suggested is still a good thing. It will keep the colony going but will also grow more bacteria. The ammonia added won't last long if the bacterial numbers are high so you'd probably really have to do occasional repeat doses, maybe every month or so (more often if your goal is to increase the numbers).

Yep, I probably should've made that a little clearer. You don't have to try and maintain the Amm up in that 1.0-2.0ppm range, that's just a figure to aim for when you are dosing for the first time. In all honesty 1.0ppm would be more than adequate for an initial dose. If you are trying to keep the bacteria alive long term you would only need to re-dose after it has dropped and been sitting at 0.0ppm for 4 or 5 days.