Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

unfortunately you will just have to wait to watch the nitrites come down. They are just a representative of the cycling process they are high because you have got zero ammonia. If possible check your nitrates and if they are starting to come up then you should be okay. If you can grab some water from someone who has a system or aquarium that is already cycled that should help a lot.

The nitrate will be the key, if it is on the way up you will be fine.
Nick

Hi Nick,
The nitrates have been sitting on 5.0 since 11th September and have remained steady since then. Is that what they should be?

Should I be trying to increase the ammonia then? I can add some more trout to get the ammonia going but I was concerned that I would just be increasing the nitrtites in the long run and nothing to get it down.

The nitrates wont really begin to rise any further ... until the nitrites drop to zero...

Don't add any more ammonia... or fish... check the nitrogen/ammonia cycle info in the info section...

Hi Littledevils - I believe the Nitrites will drop off quickly anytime now... just go easy on feeding trout until the Nitrites drop. I'm sure Ammonia is still being produced... but do not be concerned if you are getting zero reading... just means "Ammonia converting bacteria" are working well... just waiting on "Nitrite converting bacteria" to catch-up. Very soon you may find zero readings for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate... BUT your system will have "cycled". I'm sure your vegies will start to grow better as weather warms up... mine (in Mitcham) are just starting to thrive now. Best wishes - Colin

Hi little devils.
Dont stress too much, your fish seem happy at this level of nitrite,
I would back off the feed just a little bit, (they can last for over a week with no food at all.) and let things level out.
Don't worry about the plants, as the nitrobacter kicks in and starts making nitrates they will look after themselves.

Once things get going, your tank should start to look like pea soup!!

Just shade it a bit and don't panic!
It just means that nature is doing what it does! A couple of days/weeks later it will clear almost over night! This is the sign that all the planets have aligned and that your world is in balance!

early in the cycle it is tempting to chop and change setups and chemical compositions.
I generally try to resist and let nature take it's course.
but if something goes pear shaped be prepared to move.

Sounds like you're right on track!
If your still worried in 2 weeks, Ill be in Macclesfield for the weekend, I can bring a bucketfull of gravel to tip into your system, but you should be right by then

Cheers Dicko