Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

I just got into AP recently after reading an article in the NYTimes. I was instantly bit by the bug, and over the past couple of weeks I have set up a small system in my studio apt. 30 gal tank with a flood and drain set up in place. Just got it going yesterday. Can't wait to see what happens and continue my education in this very cool method of gardening!

Anyone else out there from Montezuma County?

Welcome!

We love pictures!!!!!

So do you have fish in already or are you going to cycle it up fishlessly? do you have a test kit yet?

Highly recommended reading includes the entirety of the Basic Info section and the Useful Info section.

Welcome to the addiction.

TC, Thanks for the welcome!

I have been perusing both sections of the forum you mentioned. Lots of information! Kind of overwhelming for a beginner, but I am trying to absorb as much as possible.

It may be a rookie mistake, but I do have some gold fish in my tank as of now. From what I have been reading today it sounds like a fishless cycle may be the way to go. I am on my way out to buy a test kit this afternoon. I have been reading today about how slow the ammonia converting bacteria form, and am a little concerned about my fish, but as of now they seem to be doing OK. Time will tell and hopefully a test kit will illuminate the mysteries of my tank a bit. It's all a learning process, right?

I tried to load a picture of my system, but for some reason it isn't liking my file. I'll keep trying.

I put some photos of my set up in the Members Systems forum under small systems gallery

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1617&p=222645#p222645

don't worry too much, goldfish are tough. Just keep the feed minimal till you can keep track of things with the test kit. The next 6 weeks will require lots of patients.

Got a test kit. Everything looks good, waters a little hard, but nothing else alarming. All of my fish are looking good as well. Swimming around looking like healthy gold fish. Had one die, but I think that was probably due to transport stress. Now the patience begins as the cycle commences!

A 10% water change every 2 weeks will keep fish happy and will not effect the cycling process. Use RO water from one of those dispensers outside the grocery stores. All this will do is lower the ammonia levels until the bacteria can catch up...standard practice in aquarium culture. But as noted you might be fine without it.

Mark

Mark, thanks for the tip. I will be sure to do that. What about putting distilled water into the tank? I have a bunch of that around.

Distilled water is not normally used for fish. While not harmful to the fish, it lacks the trace minerals needed to keep them healthy. When I do water changes to my 30 gallon tank, I get 5 gallons RO water from HEB ($1.35). Topups I do with water from the fridge filter. Make sure you get a test kit, and watch the ammonia - that will tell you when you need to change water and when it is cycled. Distilled water is best used in the iron...

Mark