Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

System has been running for 3 weeks now, growbed planted with snowpeas, rhubarb, strawberries, water chesnuts, kang kong, bok choy, tomatos, rocket & cos. test results as follows -


PH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate
Week 1
Sat 12-11-11 8 0 0 0 No Fish
Sun 13-11-11 8 0.25 0 0 20 SP added ( 6cm) , 3 died
Thur 17-11-11 8 0.5 0 0 Week 2
Sat 19-11-11 8 0.5 0 0 6 more SP added (15cm)
Wed 23-11-11 7.8 1 0 0
Thurs 24-11-11 7.8 2 0 0 Week 3
Sat 26-11-11 7.8 1 0 0
Weds 30-11-11 8 1 2 0
Thurs 1-12-11 8 0.5 5 0
Week 4
Sat 3-12-11 8 0.25 5 5

All seems to be going well.
Have been feeding fish approx 1 tbs of 3mm feed per day.
Do I now wait till Amm, nitrite & nitrate readings are near 0 before increasing feeding ? ?

Thanks

I would hold off feeding until all levels are 0 or close to it. You may also want to add some pool salt to negate the effects if nitrite however that may do in your strawberries.

Looks like you're very close Paul, next test you'll probably find your ammonia close to 0 and nitrites starting to drop..

What fish do you have in there? Like Arbe says, you want to see those nitrites down a little...

I have 17 approx 6cm Silver Perch and 6 approx 15cm Silver Perch so 23 fish all up.

How much pool salt should I add ? or should I just wait a few days to see how it goes ?

There would be no harm in chucking in 1-2kg, bring it up to 1-2 parts per thousand.

+1 back off feed and salt.

Hi Paul, I cannot believe that no one has told you... we love pictures here
Glad to see you found the forum, no turning back now

Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it, will add some salt tomorrow and will post some pics when the plants get to a respectable size.
cheers.

why wait to post pics its nice to be able to look back and see how much your system has grown its one of the best things about having a system thread