Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Not sure if I need to be worried, nitrites have appeared after adding the fish, about 0.25. Ammonia 0. Do I need to do anything?

Holding off the feed at the moment.

Fish added. Fish fed. Fish waste causing ammonia. Ammonia causing nitrites. Wait and see how long it takes nitrites to disappear.

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Nope, nothing to do except keep on feeding.

Your Ammonia is 0 because the bacteria that eats it has ate it. Those bacteria give off Nitrites as a waste product. Eventually, another bacteria will form that consumes the nitrites. Their by product is Nitrates.

In roughly 4-6 weeks ( average time for me) Your ammonia and nitrite levels will be 0 and your nitrates will register a pretty sizeable number. Your plants use the nitrates.

Ammonia is secreted by your fish via respiration, and in their poo and food. you can also add ammonia your self in a few different methods. Personally I don't use fish to cycle, I just dose pure ammonia. A bunch of folks like to practice PeePonics..... THats not for me.

Thanks I've already been though the initial cycling process, about 5 weeks of fishless cycling. I suspect the load of the now introduced fish means that the bacteria have to catch up (multiply) to balance things out

Yep. That is exactly correct. When you increase the bio-load, the bacteria will need to play catch up. doesnt usually take too long. I wouldnt worry about it too much. Just keep an eye on it and if it gets out of hand, mind need to change out some water.

Allrighty, last night Ammonia and Nitrites were 0. Fed the fish a bit

This morning both ammonia and Nitrites 0. Happy days. Fish feeding happily.

Bok Choi look almost ready for Harvest, first AP grown meal soon.