Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well, good news is that Nitrites are still 0!! Ammonia has come down to less than 0.25 but PH is back to 7.9! Phoned TimC to see if I could pick up my tilapia, but I guess he was out laying limestone and brick paving and other strenuous activities related to his AP system as he didn’t answer his mobile. Will wait a bit and try again – otherwise, tomorrow is good!

Thanks for your positive vibes JJ - how did your swim meet go?

And thanks for the explanation Rupe - didn't realise it would make such a huge swing in a relatively short time - but this evening's readings show it does have a significant effect!

Yes, Faye - it looks like I chose to learn all lessons in this life the hard way - keeps life interesting, and if this is the worst outcome I ever experience, then I guess I am one of the luckiest people alive!!! And as long as I learn the lessons and don't just ignore them, I guess I am moving ahead in the right direction!

Are you guys coming to the get together at the shop on the first Friday of April at 5pm?

I never knew there was one, but i should be able to make that faye.

That good to hear, it would be nice to put faces to the names finally JJ

Yes, you guessed correctly Robyn... Limestone blocks are down around the plum tree and started on some of the paving. I have almost destroyed my phone out there already, so it was inside. It is a bit late to ring you now!

Unfortunately I will be out most of tomorrow (making money to pay for the rest of the AP system) but I should be home after 6 o'clock. If it is too late for you, Nic should be home to fish out the tilapia. My phone will be in my pocket all day, if you need to ring me. Suppose I better recharge it too!!!

Robyn,
I expect the lower pH over night was due to lack of aeration. CO2 build up in the system will acidify things. If there is any algae in the tank, it will contribute to the CO2 overnight increasing the effect since plants will strip O2 from the water overnight. The ammonia itself actually has a high pH and it is the bacterial action through the nitrite and nitrate conversions that tends to lower the pH.

Anyway, sounds like you are doing well and caught it just in time, lucky that didn't happen before going away for a long weekend!

Yep, very true TCL (was late and lazy:D)....

No pumping, no oxygenation, no nitrification => pH <

Well done, Tim - great to see the young'uns earning their keep with all that work around the yard, and then to top it off earning $$$ too so you can follow your passion. I admire all the work you have done so far! After 6 will suit me fine so unless I hear from you, I will see you around then.

Thanks TCL - very clear explanation. It still amazes me that people from all around the world can help each other in this way. What a great hobby and what a great forum!

Faye - I hadn't heard about it either - should be able to make it but it is a friend's birthday so may have to just squeeze a short visit in. Is it a byo or contribute $$ into the kitty type of thing?

All levels fine, and my fishies survived their little ideal - they didn't seem affected at all and even yesterday morning when the levels were quite high they eagerly awaited their feed, but I resisted the temptation. They were miffed even more about missing their evening tucker as well! Boy, did they attack their food this morning!

WA AQUAPONICISTS MEET- APRIL 4TH 5PM BYAP
CNR JANDAKOT RD AND BERRIGAN DVE JANDAKOT
SAUSAGE SIZZLE AND SOFT DRINKS PROVIDED . OPEN TO ONE AND ALL
PLEASE PM ME WITH NUMBERS FOR CATERING THANKYOU VERY MUCH

Well, thanks to Tim and Nic I now have some beautiful Tilapia to add to my school of perch and goldies. Was a bit dark when I got home, but here is a photo of the beauties! Hope everything goes smoothly over the next few days.

Ooooooo, they are going to be so much fun Robyn, trust me!!!

Congratulations Robyn, you've got new babies. They look precious, will you be able to eat them when they grow up?

All the fishies are going well, swimming around altogether and always bunched together when eagerly awaiting their next feed!



That, Faye, is the $64000 question - I hope so - nearly bought a filleting knife today while shopping, to try and get myself used to the idea, but resisted the temptation and decided to do a bit of research into the best equipment closer to the time. Still, this is progress as I am at least thinking about it!


PH 8.0
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrates 40
Temp 24C

Plants are ok but I think the consistently high PH is hindering their progress a little! That and the extremely high winds over the last few days have tended to burn the younger leaves. Most of my plants were direct seeded, so are taking a while to establish. The Bok Choi are thriving, and some peas I planted a week ago are looking good. However, the Silverbeet was looking marvelous but something is eating it so I have shared those holey leaves with the fish and now they look a little bare. Hope the fish enjoy the leaves as much as the bugs obviously did! Bought some chive seedlings to try to discourage whatever is eating the Silverbeet but the chives are not doing well at all. I have some salt in the system and wonder if chives don't appreciate it! That or the frequent watering maybe!

Also attached a photo of the fish just because I still get excited seeing them!

Anyway, all is well with this aquaponic lady! Have a great day all!

How did you get that last photo so clear robyn?

No idea, OB - just point and shoot. Nice little Canon PowerShot S45 (about three years old I think!) did all the work!