Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hi
how do i measure disolved oxygen in the water cheaply? Someone told me you can put a couple of drops of methyl bromide in your sample and consult a chart, like ph. Also how does one measure nitrate levels?
I went to bunnings today and they have a 110 lt poly containers 300mm deep for $52. When i was in brisbane a couple of months ago there was a guy at the logan city markets selling 220 lt blu drums ( no toxins) for $20 00.
Great site i love it
peace and love
pete

Hi Pete, welcome to the forum

hmmm Methyl bromide, better read this:
http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/ ... index.html

Nitrate testers can normally be purchased from aquarium/pet shops as a single test kit ($15 approx) or multiple (ph, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates - $50/$60)

Blue drum @ $20 is about normal around Bris - just check what they were used for beforehand and wash before use, can't help on the poly bins tho

Im not sure how to measure dissolved oxygen cheaply. I do know that (well i think thats what my teacher said in yr 12 chem) CO2 bubbled through water lowers the ph, and co2 bubbled through i think lime water turns the water white. And high CO2 means low O2........
But i cant think of a way to measure dissolved oxygen cheaply. Others here may have a clue....

There are chemical test kits available (i think) for DO.

a blue drum sliced in half from top to bottom then layed on its side gives you a 100Lt grow bed in HDPE for $20/2= $10 each.better than $52

hey guys
thanks alot for the info im addicted to this site and have been spending hours reading old posts. Caked myself reading the joke forum though.
I have an old septic tank buried in the back yard and i was wondering if it would be ok to use after cleaning. I t is about 900 lts and made of concrete. I seached on google and you can get a electronic device for $250.00 that calculates temp as well. I guess i should check out my local "aquariams are us". However i am still collecting old baths for my growbeds and washing machine bowls.
peace and subwoofers
pete

dude, $250 AU ?

the best i've found is around $585

please link to it!

http://www.pondbiz.com/home/pb1/page_72 ... meter.html is the link to a digital oxygen meter $280us
pete

Thats american isent it steve

Pete, C1 is the concrete guru and should be able to help on sealing etc, Jaymie & Alx should be able to supply references for him

Still.............$280 USD works out to $365 AUD Maybe $35AUD postage

You're looking at $400

and duty--Steve
Bluefin if u want some info PM me, I'd be glab to help...