Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Quick update on the readings so far

PH - 6.8
Ammo - 0.25
Rites - 5
Rates - 5

I added EcoRose two days ago as the PH was still heading down and so far it has recovered from 6.4 back up to 6.8. I will monitor it over the next few days and add some more if needed as I would like to settle with it back up around or just over the 7 mark.
I have stuck with just small feeds and the signs are that it is not increasing the Ammo but there is no sign of decrease in the rites
I am hopeful the forecast of some warmer weather for the next week will kick things along a bit.
Dispite the high rites the fish seem very happy and are still very active especially for their small feed each afternoon

Any day now... just hang in there a little longer...

Just so you know, the long lasting Nitrite spike is normal especially with cool weather.
Hang in there.

Salt and lots of air makes nitrite pretty safe.

Thanks Ivan TCL & OBO
The tank has plenty in both the salt and air department so I am reasonably happy the fish are safe. I just want the second stage to kick in so I can start cranking up the feed to the little fellas.
They are happy enough at the moment with the small daily feeds so that is good.

I thought I would post a pic of the kids having a bit of fun at the pool The little guy at the back was showing off his backflip

That is the beauty of trout aint it. In all their glory, doing what trout do best, entertaining the onlookers.
It's not only the kids that love 'em

Boy you sure have a lively bunch there....

By the way, water and tank looks very clear... Not sure if it is inherent in the nature of things, but as my system got cycled, my tank started being coated with a layer of brownish slime... So my once rather clear and sparkling tank, it now coated with brownish slime. Harder to see the fishes now...

Do let me know if you experience the same thing...

My kids cant get a look in when its feeding time Faye

There is not much feed at the moment so Mum & Dad are in charge

Hi Ivan

Yeh the water is crystal at the moment. I do hope I can maintain it as this is the most facinating part for me just whatching them swim around. Freinds and family that have seen the set up all love to watch the fish so maybe I will have a few more converts in the near future

Time for a bit of an update



Well I obviously spoke too soon on this point as the water has progressively gotten darker over the last 2-3 weeks. Apart from the fish smashing the surface for a feed I dont see much of them anymore

I think my system is now cycled or very close to it with PH - 6, Ammo - 0.25, Rites - 0.25 and Rates - 20+
I have trialed increasing the feed to see the efect on the ammo and it is back at 0.25 each day but not yet at 0. I have read someware on here that the low PH can inhibit the Nitrification process but it is not a huge concern. Please correct me if I am wrong. I have tried the Eco Rose on a few occasions now and I get a slight rise only to see it fall back again.

I will post some pics of the GB's on the weekend

Well it should be the tank that is getting darker, being coated with a layer of brown slime... I think the water should only be a little brownish... like diluted tea...

With the extra feed and fish waste... and the nitrification as the system is near cycled...

Your pH will always tend toward 6... adding EcoRose continuously will get expensive... and should probably be saved for when your plants need the Potassium boost...

Try bringing your pH back with slaked/hydrated lime... and also bury several kgs of crushed shells or shell grit in your growbeds...

Wow, very nice system. I especially like your home engineered PVC greenhouse!

OMG That looks like a chlorinated swimming pool!!! how do you keep it looking so beautifully blue and clear?



That is a most excellent photo there. Fancy camera or pure luck?

HSM Last night

I got home late and after pottering about with a few other things I went to check on the fish. I have a tarp over both the ST and the FT at the moment so nothing was imediately noticable utill I pulled back the tarp and the trout were flying around in about 400mm of water They were a bit agitated but otherwise ok
A quick look around and I found the return line from the ST to the FT had separated so a lot of water had just pumped to ground. This was quickly reconnected and I was able to transfer the balance of the ST water up into the Fish Tank.

When I set the system up I played around a lot with setting the pumps up on raised sections of PVC pipe and adjusting the float switches to act as cut offs for just such an occasion. Well I am happy this actually worked

All up I think I may have lost about 1500L out of a 4000L system so this meant I efectively carried out about a 40% water change last night and as of the last look this morning before I headed to work there were no deaths to report