Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

Back again after a while out. Anyway, due to work in the yard, I had to shut down my system and put in storage. I was recently caught up in the redundancies doing the rounds in the resources sector, so as I was at home, did some shopping and could not believe how expensive veggies now are. So I cleared a spot in the yard, moved the system into it, filled it with water, and decided to try a fishless cycle. This happened Sunday week ago, so 8 days ago.

Couldn't get urea easily, so put in some power feed (and a little seasol). On the tuesday, added a vile of bacteria from BYAP. Ammonia shot up to 8ppm within a couple of days. 2 days ago Nitrite first registered.

Today, which is 8 days after putting in powerfeed:

Amonia - still 8ppm
Nitrite - 0.75ppm
Nitrate - 7.5ppm

At this rate it will be cycled in 2 weeks, which is crazy. Weather has been nice and warm, so that would have helped, but I am suspecting some of the bacteria was able to survive for a year in a non running system.

That would make it pretty tough stuff to survive a Perth Summer with no water.

Now need to decide what fish. Not interested in changing every 6 months like last time, I prefer bigger fish. Is anyone running Murray Cod in Perth?


Cheers
Wazza

Mmm I thought some tried the murray cod but not aware of anyone at the moment who has them Wazza.

_________________
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... a&start=45 (Fayes system)
http://backyardfarming.com.au/phpbb3/vi ... f=24&t=119 (Fayes garden) https://www.facebook.com/Botanic.Obsession

Thanks Faye,

Was good to see you at the shop the other day. So did you sell me super charged bacteria, or are you also going with the theory that given I have such a high Nitrate reading in just 8 days, there was some residue bacteria hiding away somewhere in my growbed for a year??

I've not managed to find much on Murray Cod for Perth, but have not yet fully committed to a big search. I was hoping to 'flush' out someone on here first, but we will have to see what turns up.

Quite a number of years ago there was someone selling Murray fingerlings to Farmers in the wheatbelt for their dams, but have not heard of this for years.

Anyone, any ideas?

Ive heard of the murrays being in some dams down south, and they were self sufficient, breeding etc but that was all I heard either on here or MH's site.

They would be an interesting fish to have in AP.

_________________
My IBC Systems
Nothing beats eating your own homegrown stuff and going out and catching your own meat to eat with the family.

Welcome back Muzza

Werdna spoke about getting some this december, theres a bit about in this thread viewtopic.php?f=36&t=13618&p=348597&hilit=murray+cod#p348597 maybe you could drop him a PM

Good luck with the re-born system mate

_________________
~2010/2011~
~2012/2013~
~2014~
~Backyard farming~

I'll be getting around 200 in around mid December if all goes well.
I suppose if there is enough demand I can grab another 200...

Heck, don't need 200, only have a 1 bed system , was thinking around 16-18. Do you happen to know if a few extra would be available?

Thanks
Wazza

Update - day 10 of cycling.

Ammonia - now below 8, say 6ppm.

Nitrite - 1.5 ppm.

Nitrata - 20 ppm

Has to have been some left over bacteria in the grow bead - either that or the bacteria Faye gave me came from Lance Armstrong???

I only need 50 or so.
I figured others might want some...

Hi Werdna,

Does this mean I can put my hand up?

Do you have an idea of price / size, or is it too early?


Also, you macro shots inspired me to get my macro lens out, as soon as I re-install photo shop on this new computer, I'll post some pics. The file size is a bit too large currently.


Wazza

Can't wait to see those macro shots Wazza.
Ps I bottled some special magic water for you wink.

_________________
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum ... a&start=45 (Fayes system)
http://backyardfarming.com.au/phpbb3/vi ... f=24&t=119 (Fayes garden) https://www.facebook.com/Botanic.Obsession

Still too early.
I dont get confirmation till December.

Good to see I have inspired you to start taking macros again.
What camera/lens do you use?

I have a Canon 7D. My macro lens is a Canon 60mm f/2.8.

Nice. Looking forward to some shots then

Day 16, System has cycled.

Readings came down to zero on day 14, so added some more ammonia, checked this arvo, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate about 15, so chucked some more ammonia in.

Not sure how that Bacteria survived a Perth summer with no water, but it must have.

Now the wait to see if I can get some Murray cod.


Cheers

Wazza