Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have had my 100 gallon FT and 2 GB up and cycling now for 7-8 weeks. I have cycled through several dose of humonia and got all the propper spikes and drops and got my nitrates up to 20. During this time I started a bunch of lettuce, tomato, basil, green onions, and what not that have been growing great.
I finally found a source for golden tilapia and stopped my humonia dosing, got my ammonia and nitrites down to 0 and then put in my fish. I have 13 fingerlings mostly in the 1-2" with a couple 3". I have 4 bigger 4-5" fish that I put in a 50 gallon aquarium and I want to get a breeding pair or two going in that tank. They have been in there for a 5 days now and are doing great, no losses and all are eating.
Problem is my nitrates is zero. Todays reading is pH 7.6, everything else 0. It took a 6-7 days for my nitrates to go from 20 to 0. I don't want to dose it again with humonia because when I added 1 Cup I spike the ammonia off the card reading, same with nitrites. This would probally kill the fish.
Is there something I add that is safe for the fish and boost my nutrient available for the plants? I was thinking of foliar feeding with a safe weak liquid organic fertlizer like problend, foxfarm or fish emulsion as a boost. I live on a small island, so no exotic supplier here, everything has to be on ebay or catalog. Any ideas or suggestions other than harvest now and have a dinner salad?

Thanks,
Cory

you could consider incorporating a worm farm - let its liquid drip into your system - I did this when I was low on fish and had no problems - seemed to help keep my fish happy

What are you feeding your fish? Small tilapia fingerlings can be fed rather high protein feed and that would get your nutrients up a bit more for the plants. 40-50% protein feed for the small tilapia could be in order.

My suggestion would be to up the protein of your fish feed if you are not already feeding the fingerlings a fin fish starter high protein meal.

If you feel you must foliar feed your plants, be careful to use a rather dilute mixture of something that would be fish safe.

It is not mandatory that you have nitrate readings. Many people out there run systems where their plants use up the nitrates as fast as they are made but still have good plant growth. There really is no need to panic until you see the older leaves on the plants turn yellow.