Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All - new member with a new small IBC system from Toowoomba, QLD.

Still in the fishless cycling system but added some plants just to see what's going on. I have a background in agronomy many years ago so it's been interesting remembering all the old learnings to understand what's happening in the system.

It's been in operation only 4 weeks and cold the whole time so the cycling is taking it's time but I've got levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates going on so I'm assuming the process is happening even though water temp has been averaging 13-14 deg C.

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

its good to get the plants in to begin using up the nitrates and getting established prior to fish arriving.
If/when you need to give the plants you can water the plants directly with seasol (just a watering can or with a spray bottle as a foliar feed).

neat setup.

suspect you are not far away.

Thanks - I actually dosed with Powerfeed when I first started. This is why the water is pretty dark, but gave the system a real ammonia kick.

pH is pretty high (8.2) so I am seeing nutrient lockout (Fe deficiency) but until it cycles I'm going to let it run its course - mostly I read with new systems to not panic and don't try to alter too much too fast.