Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looks like the cycling is done, been very light feeding 3 times a day for 2 days. Nitrates are down as i have added another GB and 650lt sump. Also pH as i added 1000lt at pH of about 6, as i topped up all sumps with maximum with the GB's empty.



The pH meter i bought has been spot on since i bought it, I calibrated the first day and never touched it since, seems to agree with the drop test.

Water temp has dropped over 2ºC in the last few days



All the fish seem OK and very lively, especially when i appear with feed.

Plants still slow, going to have to investigate why.

Todays test
Ph 7.0 (hope it stays there)
Ammonia 0.0-0.25 ppm(only a slight trace)
Nitrite 0.25 ppm or less
Nitrate 0 - 5 ppm not much due to dilution with 1000lt of water
water temp 17.8ºC

Now you just slowly increase the feeding while keeping an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels (back off the feed if they start to rise over a trace.) As the system matures the plants will start to take off.

It is not uncommon for plants in a new system to be a bit slow to get started. Also take note of what plants are appropriate to the season as they will grow better while plants meant for a different season my languish a bit.

Yes TC thanks for the input, i'm still testing daily to keep an eye on it just in case.

We are comming to the back end of summer here so i have winter crops planted but we are sort off in between, 2 types of cabbage,coliflour, rumanesca brocali, beetroot, sprouts and a few leeks(which are doing well) I'll have to check to see what else i can put in to fill the growbeds as the likes of Toms and peppers are passed the season. I also have a few lettuce.

Minimum temps are down to about 14-15ºC(57º-59ºF) but still days of 30ºC(86ºF) but getting cooler so its hard to decide

Don't stress too much about filling the grow beds at the moment, as the season turns and becomes better for the cool weather stuff, it will take off and fill out.

You can always sprinkle lettuce seeds later in bare spots so you can keep successively harvesting salad as the season progresses.

Now that things are settled down cycle wise the plants are starting to grow a bit better, beetroot, leeks and lettuce are doing the best, i have had a bit of bother with caterpilars on the coli and cabbage in one bed but i think i have disposed of most. I made up a Garlic/onion/chili pepper spray that deters the butterflies and moths but some eggs were already laid before i sprayed.

Water test
pH 7.1-7.3
Ammonia 0.0 to 0.25ppm Only slight trace after feeding but soon back to near 0
Nitrite 0 to 0.25ppm Only slight trace after feeding but soon back to near 0
Nitrate 0 to 5 Not much nitrate but the plants seem ok growth wise.
Temperature 19.2ºC but cooling daily.

I did a test the other day, fed the fish all they could eat 5 times in a day, got a slight ammonia rise then a touch of nitrite and it was back to 0 the next day so i'm pretty sure i'm well cycled.

I think i need to add some more Koi/goldfish, I was holding back to try and find some rainbow trout but Its proving to be difficult getting live fish though, all the fisheries will sell dead rainbow ready for the table but live is a nono. Damn the local bylaws.

It's all starting to look good Derek and it wont be too before you're eating from the GB.

Very nice indeed! Great job!

Just a quick update, system is still running fine, had a crop of leeks, cabbage, coliflour and beetroot and also a few lettuce.
Took out the last few leeks yesterday and i found worms not put there by me so thats a good sign.

As its spring here i just planted some tomatoes, lettuce and spring onions(chives), i've also got some red and yellow peppers to go in but as i planted them from seed under glass they are a bit small yet with the weather still not being at its best.

PH is still a bit high, its been between 7.5 and 7.8 continuosly so something in there is taking it up as when i take it down to arround 7.0 it slowly creeps up again.

Regards to all

Sooo, how's it all going?...
bump...

All still ok although we are into winter here so things look sparse. Also still using goldfish and some Koi.