Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Always enjoy your updates Rob, thanks for sharing.

Thanks Charlie..

A couple of more updates (thought I had already posted this one)
First is just a system update



This is just a few jobs that got knocked over during the long weekend..



Now it's fairly much well done (other than the back up air but that should be done soon) & we are picking some great kohlrabi, I am feeling the itch to expand..
Have a good one..

That itch is the problem is it not.

Finally got the backup air sorted...
I used the design Chainsaw posted here http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9805 of the system a few on here build..




Wasn't happy about blowing the phone charger or first relay but you live & learn I suppose... Am interested in getting a more stable setup sorted but that will have to wait until funds & the expansion happens...

pH - 5.6
Ammonia - 0.5ppm
Nitrate - 0
Nitrate - 80+
Plants were looking yellow so I upped the feed without checking levels... :facepalm:
Any suggestions as I feel the nitrate is way higher ?? Also need to raise the pH...
I am using pic's from the net as my chart went AWOL..

For the Nitrate I will do the following--
Not feed for a few days..
Planting out more seedlings tomorrow (kohlrabi & greens yet to be purchased)..
& I have some water conditioning but it wont be ready to add until Friday...

For the pH I am looking at getting some oyster shells...

Would love some advice if anyone has some suggestions..

For buffering ph in my big systems I have a hop bag from my earlier brewing days that I put a few handfulls of shell grit in and then hang it under a growbed return in the sump. I have also used stockings the same way but they can break down and bust, but I guess shell grit on the floor of the sump cant hurt.
Those nitrate levels wont worry the fish

Your nitrate isn't the problem.. your pH is...

You need to stop feeding until you buffer it back... feeding will only make things worse... especially if your bacterial colony collpases due to the pH...

Get some slaked lime... and add a heaped teaspoon... wait a day... retest your pH... repeat if necessary... to bring the pH back to about 6.6-6.8...

Then add the shellgrit to maintain/slow the pH drop...

Thanks Mantis, shall be adding some shells/grit... I have a bag of large grit that was given to us for the chooks under the house somewhere.. Shall go a digging..

Thanks for that Rupert...
Just need to find where to get some... Food grade Calcium hydroxide would be what I'm looking for I take it ??

Slaked Lime... hydrated lime... brickies lime..... same, same... Bunnings.. hardware stores.. cheap as chips...

I knew that Rupert
Was just testing...

Thank you for that...

Popped a small handful of shell grit under 2 GB inlets & shall suss out the lime later today...

pH still steady at 5.6 this morning..
Had time to go a wandering through the threads today & found that Eco Rose will do the same so used that instead for now.. The Bulls horns will probably love the extra potassium as well at the moment.. Used a scant Tbsp in 2L of water then poured it under the 3 grow bed inlet pipes.. Will do the readings again at 18:00 to see what if there is a change..
Thanks again for the help... Shall go looking before & cry wolf next time..

Better to scream for help then look some times, a quick answer from the scream may save the system. You can always look after the scream.

Did a test a while ago & 1Tbsp of Eco Rose has brought it up to between 5.9 & 6.2 so am very happy with that..
Shall test over the next few nights to see how we do.. Will grab some Brickies lime as soon as I get a chance for the next dosage... Shall alternate between the 2 as has been recommended elsewhere..