Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Don't go increasing the feed... just because your fish look "happy"...

Nitrite spike can last a fair while. Remember, cycling with fish often takes 4-8 weeks.

Have you tried nitrite testing your tap water just to nail down that variable?

Did you add any muck from the koi pond?

Yes I added 2litres of gunk from my Dad's koi pond. I haven't tested my tap water for nitrite. I will do that tomorrow morning. My test results today are the same as yesterday. I fed them 1 Tablespoon. I can stop feeding them if people think it is necessary.

You don't have to stop feeding them "Fishrcool"...

Just stop increasing the feed each day...

Test results today
temp 16
ammonia .25
nitrite ??? between 1 or 5
nitrate 10
I don't seem to be getting any extra nitrate. I don't know if that is because the seedlings are starting to take up some of the nutrients. Thanks RupertofOZ, I'll keep feeding them 1 tablespoon a day.

I am thinking of doing a water change. What does everyone think????? My tests are the same as yesterday. I watered down the nitrite test and then times it by five. It seems to have come down to 2.5. The fish ate today but took fifteen seconds before they started to eat. (normally they eat it straight away). They are swimming towards the bottom of the tank (normally they are about in the middle of the tank). Should I be worried?????

Any advice gratefully accepted.

I'd hold off on the water change... especially if the nitrites are coming down... what was your ammonia test reading... zero??

I suspect the fish might be slow to eat because the water temp is down... or a cold front might be moving in...

What tank temperature do you have??... and what colour is your water??

If the fish are slow to feed... then only feed them a half of what you intended... if it's all gone in 5 mins... then give the half of the remainder...

I think my ammonia reading was between 0 and .25. The colour was inbetween. The water temp is 19C and the weather is supposed to be fine and clear tomorrow. My water is still crystal clear. It has never gone green. Is that a concern? We have 3/4 covered with insulation and shade cloth on the remaining 1/4. the temperature has remained constant over the last five days - 16C in morn, 19C by night.

I am only giving them 1 tablespoon of food and it is disappearing in around 20 seconds. (I think they are really hungry due to the amount of food I am giving them).

I did the nitrite test again and actually measured the water exactly with a syringe. The nitrite level is actually 5 not 2.5. It took longer to colour up so I think it must be coming down slowly. My nitrate level is unchanged at 10.

Steady as she goes then.... patience...

You might not "pea-soup" with your tank covered...

Lack of algae is no problem. Sounds to me like all is well, except for worryingly high nitrites and those are dropping. I would probably have done some water changes, but it sounds as though it is coming down fast now. Maybe in another day or two...*crosses fingers*

The water results today
temp 16C
ammonia between 0 and 0.25
nitrite - 5
nitrate 10
pH - 8
They still seem happy.
I have an oversupply of lemons as the moment. Should I add some lemon juice to lower my pH?

If the ammonia is coming down the ph will come down by itself unless its buffered by something. The bacteria will reproduce faster at the higher ph.

Well my ammonia levels have finally dropped to zero Unfortunately my nitrite level is still sitting on 5. My nitrate level is finally starting to move upwards, it is currently 20. I think my plants might be missing out on some nutrients. They seem a bit yellow. I think the high pH might be locking out some nutrients. Should I put some seasol into the system?. If so how much should I add?