Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Dan are americans familiar with the term "shit stirrer"

OBO regarding the bacteria i think putting "constraints" on them may be deceiving considering the multitude of strains

i'm sticking with the 7.5 is a good target when cycling, 8 isn't a bad thing as it will drop easily enough when cycled

Thanks guys. I have tried the last 3 days to lower the pH by adding a total of 118 ml of pH Down. It is stubbornly staying at 8.0 to 8.1. That's reassuring to hear though Steve. Because it is an outdoor pond there are leaves and gunk at the bottom. I scooped some out last night thinking the decay was messing with the pH levels and in doing so I saw that there are more dead fish than I originally thought. I have probably lost 20 or so now. The ammonia level is creeping up towards .50 and still no signs of nitrite or nitrate. Yeah Dan, it is still getting pretty cool at night, getting into the 40's F (4 C).

Looks like patience is my only choice at this point. I have to leave town for 4-5 days tomorrow so here is hoping that things are better or at least not a disaster when I get back!

4 deg c

Lots of patience

Ugg, OBO. I don't care much for the heat and was rather enjoying the cool spring but now I am forced to wish for warmer weather

I need to get an indoor system set up by fall.

Once your system gets cycling, the pH will likely drop a bit. My Well water reads as 8.0 give or take a point or two after it has outgassed the CO2. (If I check the pH of my tap water right out of the hose, it will read around 7.)

Anyway, I did have to add shell as the system finished cycling to keep the pH above 7 as it was heading down rater fast.

Yep, patients. When you get several warm days in a row with nights that don't get too cold, you will probably see a sudden burst of activity from your bacteria as well as your fish.

You will greatly help yourself future years if you can keep a batch of your gravel going indoors over winter that you will be able to seed the outdoor system with in spring. And just think, totally fresh lettuce and herbs aquarium side in your home.

TC, good to know about the pH. I haven't checked my water from the tap, but I haven't added any water to the pond all spring since the rain has kept it full. Good idea about the gravel indoors, even if I don't set up a large system. Thanks.

Nitrites!

pH 8.0
Ammonia 0.50
Nitrites 0.25
Nitrates 0.0

Looks like the cycle has started just as I succumbed to being patient. I think it might be the weather. It's been a little warmer the last couple of nights. Thus far the fish have remained at the bottom of the pond mostly out of site. Since last night they have made themselves more visible and tonight not only did they eat for the first time, but it was an absolute frenzy. Good signs all around I think.

What is the danger level of ammonia? I know in a well cycled system it should be 0.0 and I think 0.50 is high, but at what point with pH 8.0 (and sorry, unknown water temp) will the fish be doomed?

This is very good news since we will be gone the next 4-5 days. Maybe we will have a salad when we get back

I believe most people start doing water changes if the ammonia gets over 1 and same with nitrite. I know there are charts that tell how bad the ammonia is at different temps an ph. If the water is cool, I wouldn't panic till 1 though your pH is a little high to be comfortable with much ammonia.

Hang in there, you will still need some patients to get past the Nitrite spike that will be coming next. Hardest part will be cutting off the feed if levels get too high now that the fish are feeding.

Thanks TC. I think the water temp is still pretty cool, so that may help. You are right about the hard part being cutting off food. I am sure everyone on here understands how mesmerizing it is to feed hungry fish. I was just outside looking things over again and considered feeding again since the previous feed was gone but refrained.

Hopefully this painful nitrite spike will happen over the 4-5 days we are gone. Given the righ consitions how long does it usually take before the second phase of bacteria kick in? We have a friend feeding the dogs and cats, should I have her feed the fish or is this a good time lay off? The concrete sides of the pond are visibly covered with green slime (alagae I assume) and there is a several year old old water lilly underneath the net pots that is poking up shoots around the pots (roots have grown out of it's pot). Mosquitoes are bad around here and before stocking the pond I saw quite a bit of larvae in there. I am guessing they do have stuff to eat. I assume holding off on the feed will lessen the nitrite spike and the fish will survive but just not grow as much?

Nitrite is toxic to fish but less toxic than ammonia right?

Nitrite is a slow (relatively) killer. It causes stress in fish which leads to disease. Increased aeration will help to do the conversion from NO2 to NO3. Chloride (one of the salts) will assist protect the fish from absorbing it through their gills and into their bloodstream.

Take a look at Steves' article MM ... viewtopic.php?f=11&t=132

And here's the ammonia chart ....

That's good to know sleepe. If I think things are taking too long I will add an air stone. I might do that anyway. Thanks for the link Rupert. Good information. I need to get a thermometer.

Give your system till about wednesday with the forcasts I am getting right now 80s for highs and 50s for lows until then~ those bac are going to be feeding.

I am still a day away from trying my new prototype growbed. If successful I have three more to build. Any gravel washers ready to get with it?

Thought so

I would be thrilled if the system was cycled by wednesday Dan. I might not be back in town until then anyway. You have a link to a thread about your new prototype? I am rediculously busy right now but would love to meet a veteran AP'er, see your system, and what the heck, even wash a little gravel if I can swing it.