Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All, I am looking for some advice re Nitrates;
I have been cycling my new system for the last month and in that time Amonia levels rose and subsided and are not at zero, likewise Nitrites rose and subsided and are now at zero. Nitrates were at 20 ppm for about 3 weeks and are now at zero eventhough I was adding 350ml of humonia twice weekly and have now upped it to 500ml. I am planning on adding trout next week providing I can net the little critters in my local river.
Question; If I don't add fish where should the nirates be, I have 3 grow beds measuring 2.4X1.2mX35cm deep with a volume of 800lt each and 3,200lt of water. one of the grow beds is stocked fairly heavily with plants the others have mainly seedlings in them.

If I do manage to catch fish should I start feeding them imediately.

Thanks for all the help as I would not have been able to get this project off the ground without it.

pat from Eire

The nice thing about nitrates is that they don't matter. They can be anywhere.