Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Will try again in the spring. I used a mix of rain water and aged tap water. Not sure if I should eliminate the existing water and start with fresh water in case there is something in the water. We will see...

Pershing

Getting ready for spring and try again. Affer several solid freezes my pump seem to still work. Checked the numbers and seem to be pretty good and hoping to cycle soon. Waiting for solid temps to get some new fish. This summer will make a greenhouse around my system to see if the fish can winter better. Numbers shown below.



Pershing

Once things warm up hopefully those nitrite readings will fall for you and let you get going again.

Yeah, holding adding ammo, read 0.25. Thinking of adding some lettuce seedlings soon since there is some nitrate.

Pershing

or just sprinkle lettuce seeds

Already started some on rockwool, there are some 30 degree nights ahead so taking precautions. When it gets warmer I will try the direct seed method and see how it goes...

Pershing

Scratching my head with the new water test results. Where did my nitrites and nitrates go? I have no plants and no fish. Only thing I can think off is that nitrites were turned into nitrates and something like algae ate it? I covered by tank, sump and bed sides from light so not surr what is going on. Thoughts anyone? Curveball, test strips does see nitrates so now suspecting the api test.

Pershing

Forgot pic of test

As the bio-filter matures the Nitrite should drop to 0.
Nitrates can and will be used up by plants of any sort, including algae. If you are not continually dosing with ammonia and there are any plants or algae around, they will consume your Nitrates.

Figured, just dont know where could they be. Will add some ammonia soon.

-P