Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi Forest, can't tell you much about your pump. I have one just like it but haven't used it but for a few moments and seems fine. I'd be surprized if it was really "Made in America". I purchased mine at the local WalMart, came with a pond liner. Nafta and the Free Trade agreement with China has prety much killed manufacturing in the U.S. IMHO.
Just cover your (what if this happens) and have a spare about or an alternative in case it goes in the crapper. On a side note I'd wager Ten lettuce leaves it came from China.

Ah yes, the ViaAqua brand. It has an efficient design, it's fully submersible, multi-purpose, quiet running, and they have an oil free motor. It's probably also made closer to your hemisphere than the US is. (=

I was wondering if you don't have the big tank up yet whether you could try fishless cycling with pure ammonia in the fishless tank for maybe a few days. Like spread around some gunk from your established aquarium, put in some pure ammonia, then when the ammonia then nitrite are dealt with transfer the fish. Maybe it would get the bacteria a head start?

This might also be a way to get new beds online faster - if they are isolated in their own loop you could dose them with ammonia to get the bacteria humming, then incorporate them into the big system after they are going.

If you have a lot of space in the big tank then it would be better to skip it and just get them in the bigger one.

p.s. Please don't consider this unless you're sure it is pure ammonia - doesn't foam, doesn't have a (pine, lemon) fragrance. Someone mentioned that the pharmacist will have it.

john and dave, I've looked on the pump and the only markings other than the technical ones are that it was "passed CA" . I reckon that means passed by customs?? in california. I have no idea really. On the box it just gives the name of the company and that its californian address and website. hmmmm, ten lettuce leaves.

What does everyone think of dave's ammonia suggestion?

Update on the fish. One jumped out of the tank last night while I was staring at them luckily, I picked him up straight away and he's still alive this morning. There is a cover over the tanks.

No food has been given. pH still 7. I'll do the other test soon.

LOL wonder just what that jumper was thinking don't they know thier earth is flat? Good save still 99 then.

It would work fine me thinks but not sure if you would need it because you have an established system in the house (yes?) and using that to help you along should do fine.

let me describe my "established system" to you john.

It's a huge terracotta pot (maybe150L) that sits on my front verandah. It contains ONE fish - hannibal - a cannabalistic goldfish that has eaten every other fish I put in there. One night he ate 6 swordtails the same size as him. Since that night he's grown.

He's been living out there for about three years now and he's perfectly healthy and I suppose, happy, if fish experience happiness. The pot is not filtered and not aerated. It has oxygenating plants growing in it and a few taller water plants. I have it to grow aquatic plants, the goldfish is just for mosquito control. The water is rainwater. I usually change the water when the seasons change. The water in there now hasn't been changed since Christmas. It's as clear as, but there's lots of sludge on the floor and walls.

Are we still calling it an established system?

Id say yes and maybe just because I don't want to piss off Hannibal. Start a diversion and rob him of some sludge? I aint sticking my hands in there. LOL

Wonder what he thinks were for?

"passed CA" usually stands for: Passed Certificate of Approval. It means it passes particular standards that pumps must achieve albeit marginally.

Personally it doesn't really matter where stuff is made anymore. When companies shift to china, it is still the same machinery, the same design, it is just the workers who get paid stuff all. That is possibly when things can go wrong.

nitrites tested last night and this morning. pH done this morning.

nitrites clear, pH 7, so all is well.

How's the fish forest?

lol the fish are fine, john. All 99 of them. No more jumpers either.

Great, the grow beds on schedule? I'm assuming you have been changing water out?

nope, no water has been changed at all. I'm going to start a thread on my system soon.

have you tested for ammonia Forest? The nitrites won't start to register until there is bacteria present to convert the ammonia. Have a check of your ammonia and let us know.

Very surprized I am, as Monya says ammonia will show up first, then nitrites. Both deadly. I recomend changing out some water to stay ahead of it you do have quite a fish load.

Make that highly recomend, it will prolong the cycling a bit but your fish will live and thats a good thing.