Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

First question......

1. I got a oil pod from work, took it home and cleaned it the best I could. I rub my hand around the inside of the tank and it still feels a bit slimy, I was thinking of putting a test run of goldfish in and see if they live....... Will it be alright to use??

2. I need some more info on making a bell syphon, for a flood and drain system. Is this the best to use. I have previously put photos on here, I will put more on later.

Thanks again for your help and patience.

Where do I get rocks for the grow bed in newcastle....

Ask Outbackozzie how he cleaned his IBC's, I believe his had oil or grease in them.
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1689

What's an oil pod?

goldies will live in almost anything, but may contaminate your grow media and affect plants, if you go for trout in the future may still be traces of contamination and may need to change media

+1

It's actually quite easy to clean IBC's that have contained oil.

IBC, Water, Degreaser.

Soak for 1 week, rinse, repeat. Job done

I had diesel oil in mine--- washed out with dish washing detergent,,, rinsed, aired for a few days - then used it - all dead easy

How do I lower my ph levels? They are running @ 8.4.

A high alkalinity like that is not unusual when you first start. Assuming you have fish in your system, they will create a more acidic environment. My system was high like that at the beginning of this year and I was told not to worry. That I did and now my system is ph of 6 and lower which is too low.

My advice is don't worry.

Thanks alot...As a matter of fact, I just put in 25 goldfish yesterday.

8.4 might be a little high but as long as your media or gravel is not limestone, marble, or concrete, the pH will eventually come down on it's own and perhaps even need some buffering to keep it from getting too low.

See the bacteria working to change the ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate as well as the bacteria that will slowly move in to convert the solids will all use carbon in their processes which will slowly use up some of that high buffer material and acidify the water in the process.

I've seen my pH get almost down to 7 and I have tons of shells as media in my system. The Shells I have tend to buffer to around 7.6.

So, how to bring down you pH, patients. cycling the system will have a slow acidifying effect.