Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Most obvious, GG.... but few think they really need one when they are doing the other tests anyway..

At least it's a possible way of knowing if yellow is 6 or 12..?

(I do have one --- SOMEWHERE )
..
.

I tried some litmus paper (not the most accurate I know) and it came up pH 6 . At least it's not something crazy like pH3 , which I tested against lemon juice.
Api test showed pH 6 (or less)
ammonia 0 - 0.25
nitrite 0
nitrate 20

going to put some pool salt in this weekend, just as well I'm not growing strawberries.
also some sodium bicarb to try to bring the pH up slowly.

confirming the dosage of NaCl is 1kg to 1000L?
Anyone know the dosage of NaHCO3 for 1000L ?

NaCl 1kg in 1000l will be 1ppt

NaHCO3 correct dosage is zero, use KHCO3

thanks
why not sodium bicarb?

Too much Sodium is toxic to plants, and you are already adding it with NaCl, whereas plants often need more Potassium in AP systems. I use KOH and Ca(OH)2, along with the CaCO3 (shell grit) to compensate for decreasing pH due to the bacteria doing their NH3 ->NO2->NO3 work. The shell grit only works for very low feeding rates, so "stronger medicine" is required when the fish are eating a lot.

Gunagulla, I may be wrong, but I think gorotsuki is referring to potassium bicarb inhis comment above. Perhaps he could clarify that?

I'm sure he is Gingerbread Man, as ecofungicide is 94% KHCO3, but that wasn't what I was responding to- see his question which I quoted.
I don't recommend adding much Ecofungicide to the system either, as it is 6% detergent. Pure KHCO3 is ok though.

what is the dose for KHCO3?
where do you buy it from?

added 1kg to 1000L of pool salt yesterday
also added 200g sodium bicarb as I couldn't get hold of potassium bicarb

had another death today
same symptoms around the head, no visible marks on the rest of the body

How long is a piece of string? If you are trying to increase pH, then you need to add it in small quantities, such that you don't vary the pH by more than a few points per day, start small and increase until you see an effect. Water volume and current chemical composition will have an effect on how much you need to add for say a pH0.4 increase. You need to allow sufficient time for it to be fully mixed throughout your system before measuring it again.




Any decent chemical supplier in Perth should carry it.

200g is a lot of Sodium Bicarbonate to tip into 1000litres...dropping in a stocking full of shell grit would have been much better.

My SP had a parasite infection, here is the thread with pics. viewtopic.php?f=36&t=22632

There are some similarities, the fish would spend a lot of time scratching / rubbing against things. Several heavy salt baths and rasing my salt levels finally cured my problem.