Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have attached a link http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com ... ntial.html

While I am normally sceptical about advice from companies trying to sell something this article I found interesting. I am unsure that all the conclusions drawn are valid however it does seem to explain why uv sterilisers seem to have a greater effect than one would expect given volume and contact time, I have observed this myself.
Anyway I thought I would put it up as a thread for discussion.

Doesn't having a uv sterilisers slow down the bacteria.

UV Sterilisers will kill (given the right flow rates and lowered turbidity) all organisms passing through them. The kill only happens within the unit. Once cycled the bacteria we require are living and breeding on surfaces. It was the reduction potential which is an after effect that seemed interesting.

I was reading about aquaculture and they had UV sterilisers for 20000ltr ponds. Don't know the strength of the UV but it would be good to use natural light to make one. Like a solar oven with water passing through it. Save running another pump and light.

dont know if you're going to get much discussion on the redox, sleep. it sounds quite plausible to me.

would be interesting to see what redox potential apers have........... anyone have a redox meter that want to do the rounds

Didn't think so

F&F might have one ORP meters are used in hydro . Think those that run high nitrates might have a bit of a surprise re water quality.

correct me if i'm wrong but a high nitrate would give you a high POSITIVE ORP ?

i'm figuring this because the nitrate is an oxidizing agent

Yes high positive, oxidising environment. Think the problem is it because it is an out of balance bioload it would cause other chemical reactions creating unstable water quality. Lock out of calcium and magnesium seems likely if you look at the table even to a degree iron.

Is this saying that we could be adding a little ascorbic acid (vit c) every now and then to improve fish health?

Probably better in food Gemmell, but yes.
Interesting article even though by a Chemical Co. http://www.dsm.com/en_US/downloads/dnp/vit_c_fish.pdf

Interesting. I'm tempted to come up with ideas about why UV might help reduce the redox potential, but find myself not just out on a limb of speculation, but actually treading thin air.

Odd, though, that one could not simply add acid (a reducing solution) to make the environment more reducing. Or am I being obtuse? I am somewhat suspicious of complex scientific information that seems on the edge of meaning...kind of like using the facts of quantum physics to explain homeopathy.

Perhaps this information is accurate, but is "too complex for general use in AP, but maybe useful for studying underlying science". Or it could be.....inaccurate. Either way, it may be better, practically, to just let the complex biology of the growbeds take care of things and not worry too much (he says sagely, not wanting to admit that it makes his head hurt with possibilities).

g'night!

having said that, sleepe, it would also not surprise me if the redox potential was zero or even negative............i know my system is VERY hard with high calcium levels...........

Not hypothetical's then Steve? post your nitrate readings

Hydro

Have a feeling its not as way out as that

will do, but must warn you last time i tried to measure KH i cracked it after X amount of drops with no colour change........VERY hard

will do a NO3 GH and KH sample for you after work (yes work ) tomorrow (bout mid day)