Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Add 20ml per 1000L... test the next day... and repeat if necessary... until you reach your preferred pH..

I don't know much about aquaponics but here is a nutrient deficiency chart

Problem with that "chart"... is it doesn't show iron deficiency... which is by far the most likely to occur with high pH...

Here's a better chart to show the relationship between pH and trace element deficiencies..

Since my last post on here I started another thread regarding HCl and calculation for CaCO3 neutralisation.

CaCO3-HCl Neutralisation Calculation

In summary I added 820mL of HCl to bring my pH from the mid to 8's to around 7.6.

My system will hopefully now see some plant growth. I am tempted to get new seedlings as I feel that the current ones may be stunted from lack of nutrients. I also feel happier that when I get fish I will have less problems with ammonium spikes now that the pH has been lowered.

Adding fish will undoubtedly result in an ammonia spike.. of some measure.... regardless of the pH...

The pH has nothing to do with the ammonia "spikes"..... other than when the pH <6.0.... which can cause the collapse of the bacterial colony... leading to an ammonia spike...

pH does have a relationship, in conjunction with temperature... to ammonia toxicity...

The good thing is that with trace nitrate levels it will hopefully soften the amm spike and should see your overall nitrification cycle develop a lot smoother.

Ah... no...

The nitrates wont have any impact whatsoever... on the ammonia... or susbsequent nitrification....

They will provide a base level of nitrates for the plants though...

I missed your post Rupe. Can you explain cause now Im confused?

My understanding is that because the nitrification process is well under way and having a nitrate colony established (to some degree) would see an amm spike 'softened' from the introduction of fish simply because the beneficial bacteria is already available.

Rough example to get my understanding right..

If I was to throw 20 fish in a virgin system the amm spike and thereafter nitrification process will be somewhat 'harsh' or 'unwelcome' to the fish due to rising amm and nitri levels... both of which are toxic etc etc.. until levels subside and the system becomes balanced.

If I was to put that same 20 fish in a system that already had an active nitrate colony wouldnt the amm produced from those fish be quickly dealt with... hence, 'softening' the toxicity blow... so to speak.

An established bacterial colony... will certainly deal with any ammonia "spike" more rapidly than an uncycled, or semi established colony...

But the nitrification remains the same.... any ammonia needs to be firstly converted to nitrite.. then to nitrate...

The nitriying bacteria that convert nitrite to nitrate... are inhibited by ammonia... i.e they wont begin processing nitrites until the ammonia has all been converted...

As above... an established colony... will ramp up and deal with the spike more rapidly.... but that's by expansion of the colony... not by the existing prescence of nitrate.. the end product of the existing colony/conversion...

Interesting..

Im glad you pointed that out because Ive never looked at the overall conversions in that way, cheers.

So, until the amm is converted to nitrite there is no benefit in an established nitrate colony... Im assuming because the nitrosomonas still have their work cut out for them as they are doing the conversion of amm to nitrite. So the new amm load is still a load regardless of whats happening at the nitrate end of things because it still needs to be converted. Of course.

Although, I think because an established nitrate colony indicates a strong presence of nitrospira so it adds an overall stability and puts the system in a better standpoint whilst dealing with the new amm load. Yes, the nitrate colony is not directly responsible for the amm conversion but it is an end benefit none the less.

Am I getting it? Cheers

Nitrosomonas are slow reproducers... so it takes a while to convert the ammonia to nitrites...

Nitrospira, on the other hand... can double their population in no time at all... but not while ammonia is present...

So, yeah... an exisiting population.... will rapidly multiple to deal with the "spike"... once the ammonia has been converted...

Sweet! thanks Rupe.... who says you kiwi's just sit around all day sucking prawn heads in their jandals. Oh how they were mistaken

Hows the system and fishies going Orpmoc

Bumpety bump!

Interesting about the nitrosomonas and nitrospiras and ammonia.
Yay I learnt something today.
Thanks master bumper Charlie.