Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What's good BYAP forum..

I guess you could say I caught the 'bug' a few months ago and after some heavy lurking and trial and error, it is safe to say I have my first system up and running. Living on the island of Kauai in an apartment, the indoor setup was the only way I could satisfy the itch. Also, working in a hardware store, my mind was spinning, thinking of new ideas daily. I wanted to post my system to both show you guys the inspiration this forum brings many people beyond myself and to ask if there's anything I am overlooking. Suggestions are more than welcomed.

System Specs:

GB: 22.44 gallons (84.94L) - red cinders
FT: 23 gallons (87L)

Put the goldfish in 2 weeks ago.


Water tests currently show (approximately):

PH: 8.2 - 8.4
Ammonia: .5ppm - 1.0ppm
Nitrite: 3.0ppm - 4.0ppm
Nitrate: 10.0ppm - 20.0ppm

maybe im color blind, but its hard to say which color it definitively is. Anyways, i've read that the cycle will end as the ammonia and nitrite levels get closer to zero. Hope I am on my way!

-Donovan

awesome, what are you planning on planting?

hey matt,

Hoping to get some different types of lettuce and herbs going in the beginning. I just ended up putting in a fluorescent light fixture with 2 plant and aquarium bulbs because I don't think there was enough natural sun light coming through the window. Are those 3 goldfish sufficient to get the system cycled?

OK, I have to ask...... Whats the idea with the beer bottles?

Of course, the beer bottles are surface area for the bacteria! And darn nice and cheap decor!

lol

jeff c

aside from the obvious decoration, the bottles were meant to hold down my air stones... i see in the first picture that they aren't doing a very good job.. i'll have to find a more permanent means down the road hah

That nitrite reading is really high. Are your fish OK?