Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We installed this system mid February 2010. We have been fishless cycling for the past 6 weeks placing about 4 teaspoons of Seasols "Powerfeed" (approx 12% nitrogen) into the tank when needed. Beds were planted out stright away and we have started harvesting last week. Have been monitoring water nutrients regularly. Powerfeed is being consumed within 2 days. Nitrates are low, around 10ppm, but plants are thriving so i am assuming that they are being utilsed by plants. Nitrites are at 1ppm. My only concern atm is the pH. it moves around the mid to high 7s, would appreciate some comment as to whether this is too high.

here are the pics

Welcome... well for a new system pH between mid-7 to 8 is quite normal... don't worry about it... once the system gets more mature, it would be closer to 6...

Not too sure about the chemical composition in Powerfeed, but I would assume that being somewhat "dead" fish, it would contain some ammonia... Assume that ammonia is close to 0??

Not sure whether powerfeed contributes to nitrite and nitrate reading directly, if it does, it would be hard to know if your system is getting close to being cycled...

rob:

I have a new system and it started with a PH of about 8-8.2, but now that it has cycled it is beginning to go down, now around 7.8. It'll happen! I have found AP to be a true test of patience. Enjoy!

Had a look at dates and we actually installed this the end of Feb begin of March. So we are about 6 weeks in. These pics were taken this morning so you can see the growth we have had in that time. only other problem we have had is with yellowing of plants but a good dose of Fe chelates sorted this out.

Ivan- Ammonia is zero 24-48hrs post feed with powerfeed. A dose of 4 teaspoons into the 1000L tank gives an intital ammonia conc of 1ppm. When we first started doisng with powerfeed and the system wasn't cycling yet the ammonia conc gradually increased over the next few days. I assume there is also urea, and other non nitrite/nitrate nitrogen derivatives in the powerfeed, that are converted into ammonia within powerfeed, hence the gradual increase in ammonia. This is not occuring any more so i assume that the bacteria are breaking down the ammonia as soon as it is generated

Sounds like your about ready for some trout Rob...

Check your top up water source as it may have a high pH, though you'll find your pH starting to move down before to long.

Definitely ready for some trout EB. Waiting to see when troutman is making a run

Well if he kept his original proposed schedule, I think he made a run yesterday...

Yep, some people got their fish yesterday, Gavin called in here during the morning, mid deliveries..

We are getting some more delivered here next week.

Contacted Gavin today, he is making a run every friday for the next month or so. No space for my fish until end of the month. Will be glad to get some in

Interesting approach Rob; plants first, fish second. Looks great.

Are you planning to simply swap Seasol for trout, or gradually reduce additives as the fish grow, or keep on keeping on with the juice?

Whether you're "fishless cycling"... or stocking fish from the start.... there's no reason to not plant out your growbeds immediately...

Not sure what we will be doing wiht adding extra nutrients while our fish are growing. My gut instinct is not to add anything once the fish are in and just keep an eye on plant health. If the plants start to look a bit dodge then i may think about adding some extra nutrient in but i would be very reluctant to

Will be interesting to see how the plants go when the fish are introduced and powerfeed removed. Suck it and see eh?

Bet you can't wait till the end of the month. I hear keeping trout is good fun.

We are now 8 weeks in and still going. Trout went in at the end of last week, 50 in our 1000L tank. So far no floaters so we are very happy. Nutrient levels are all looking ok. The nitrites which we always around 1ppm when we were fishless cycling have dropped to 0. The nitrate levels are between 5 and 10ppm but given the size of our plants i am not to worreid about that either. The ammonia lelvels are hovering between 0 and 0.25ppm. I am assuming that this is going to vary during a day and at what time of the cycling period you take your water. What is the official word on ammonia levles. We are eating out of the system everyday and palming off vegies to family.