Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Since you started feeding again, I would advise to keep testing at least the ammonia and nitrite daily.

I also notice that you only did the high range pH test in that last picture I saw, when the high rage is that color, I usually like to also run the regular pH test to make sure the pH has not actually dropped too low, which can have the effect of crashing things.

Okay.... Will do a test tomorrow.

I was thinking about getting some shellgrit this weekend and just put it somewhere in the system. Since it will only dissolve to a certain pH and stop dissolving, I will just put it in earlier. In that way, I will not need to scramble around trying to raise the pH like some forum members are doing right now.

Yep, having the shell grit in early before a crash is happening is a good idea.

Have been testing the water the last few days, but tests at 5.30pm today is Amm 0.25, Nitrite 0.25. That's after feeding in the morning as well.

Looks like it is heading in the right direction...

Hey Ivan, I have around 6 kg of shellgrit in my a bit over 10,000 litre system, and it can not keep up with the acidifying process, so add extra if you can. I have had a low pH bacteria crash, and I am getting some pretty cool colours in the test kit

2 years of AP and still finding cool ways to mess it up woohoo

PS: Luckily enough low pH = less risk from ammonia, so it sorta balances out.

I thought my test kit was screwed, can't match any colours in pH or Trate, still trying to get pH up

Unfortunately I did not get a chance to put the shellgrit into the system. Was doing some other things and also thinking what I should use to contain the shellgrit. Then before you know it, the weekend is gone.

Checked the bottom of my fishtank again this evening. Black shit seems to be gathering again... I suppose trout does crap quite a bit... I am quite certain it is not food since the last few days, I have fed them slowly and made sure that they stop splashing before putting more in.

I think the water pump is not effectively sucking the shit out of the tank. I have a bigger air pump coming so will try to aerate the tank and hopefully shit will not settle and get sucked out. Otherwise, I think I need a better water pump.

Ivan I stir the bottom every now and then, mine seems to flush ok, but every month I still stir up the bottom, just before pump kicks in, at least you can see the bottom now

Hey guys, I am finally starting to see growth in the plants over over 2-3 months of putting the first seedlings in the growbeds. Measured nitrates to be 10-20 quite consistently.

However the only growth I really noticed is the brocolli plant growing bigger with its leaves, etc, but no flower stalk (or the part that we eat). Also the pak choi seedlings I had in there, seem to be growing to flower instead of growing its leaves. Again the flower is not the part we eat for pak choi, but the leaves.

Wong bok (chinese cabbage) does not seem to be growing moving much... Lettuce is moving but not really bolting. I do notice new seedlings come up but all in all, still nothing I can harvest.

I have about 15 trouts for two BYAP growbeds (500Lx2), pump running 1hr on 1hr off. Feeding them about 2 tablespoons a day now during weekdays and 4 tablespoons during weekends. I go to work early during weekdays, before the sun comes up.

Any comments?? Lack of nutrients??

Have you used any supplements or sea salt. It could be a lack of trace nutrients. Seasol could help.

Ivan, are your growbeds all hydroton? If so, it sounds like a nutrient issue.

You dont really have enough fish to support two growbeds.

Just a thought Ivan...
how about changing your timing to 1/2 hr on 1/2 off.
This might be less stressful for the fish as the DO would be less depleated after 1/2 hr
than an hour, might be better to be more stable.
Same amount of power but more on/offs

The plants have gone to seed through struggle, I'd say.
The recent moon phase for planting could have been used to replace the 'Bolting' seedheads.
Other than consuming a little nitrate, there will be little or no benifit to you
you don't want to keep any seeds from that germination

So I'd suggest replanting your beds with seeds between your existing 'keeper' plants.
The days are getting warmer/longer so condusive to good growth
IMHO only
PS stunted plants don't process for plant growth as well as a healthy vigorous seedlings

Yes, growbeds are all hydroton. Well too late to buy more fishes...

So in short, I should harvest (or get rid) of the bolting seedheads plants and let the new plants have the limited nutrients my system is producing??

Yep, agree with C1... you're just wasting the nutrients on them... they will continue to struggle to even grow poorly... or at all...