Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

After reading about Aquaponics for some time, I finally took the plunge mid Nov.

27 Barra went into the 1000l tank on the 10th Nov (1 growbed BYAP system). The Barra came from Golden Ponds, and turned out to be a bit bigger than I expected, I was told 8 inches, but they were easily this size. 25 were ordered, but a couple of others slipped in, hence 27.

Due to the size, I was very careful with the anmount I fed them. I noticed them being slow moving, so was going to get my water tested, but found 2 dead Barra before I could do this. As I was at work, I got my wife to take some water to a local Fish shop, where it turned out the Nitrite level was "through the roof". No Amonia was present however. Promptly half the water was changed out (other vegie garden and fruit trees loved this).

It's now nearly 2 weeks since this has happened, and I now have some test strips for Nitrite and Nitrate (all my local shops were out of amonia test kits).

Basically, Nitrite since has been zero, and Nitrate around 30ppm. Yesterday however Nitrate had dropped to around 15ppm, Nitrite still zero.

All plants are looking very healthy and flowering. Growth rate however is behind that of my dirt garden (which is well established over several years, so probably not a fair comparison), and fish seem happy and active.

Given the above, am I to assume that bacteria levels are established to cope with the current feeding load, and I can start to feed the fish a bit more? Obviously keeping an eye on the levels in the system? If so, is this a little quick for the first cycle to have established?

Cheers
Wazza

Yep, sounds good Wazza, bacteria will establish much faster in warmer weather. Just increase the feed gradually and keep an eye on your readings.

Thanks Earthbound.

Is it worth getting an Amonia test kit at this satge?

I also have shell grit in there, figured it would do no harm sitting in there, and if the ph did change it could simply do its thing.


Cheers
Wazza

Hi there, good to hear that you did not have too many casualties during cycling...

You should get yourself one of these... does all the necessary tests that most would do for AP...
I have not used strips myself but have heard that strips are pretty inaccurate...
http://www.theaquariumshop.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=424&name=Aquarium%20Pharmaceuticals%20API%20Freshwater%20Master%20Test%20Kit

There are other online shops that sell this kit as well... just do a search...

And in case you are thinking why you need a test kit when you have already cycled... many of us still periodically
test our waters or test them when we feel something is wrong... and if you have problems in the future, and post
any queries here, it is likely that water test results will be a question from those trying to help...

Thanks ivansng,

That was the type of kit I was looking for in the first place, unfortunately the stores I went to didn't have anything like it, so I am glad to see they do exist. I will do a quick search and order one.

Agree on testing in the future, just because things are working now, does not always mean they will.

Cheers
Wazza

Byap shop has test kits