Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

im just in the planning stages of my first ibc setup but have a question about my first fill of the tank. i also have aquariums that require water changes weekly so i thought the water from them could be used to fill the tank and if i was to clean my canister filter aswell then would it give me a good start to the cycling? i guess im hoping thet the nitrates from the aquarium water would give my plants a head start as well as the bacteria from the filter helping to seed the grow bed. does any one out there see any problems with this or wether its as good an idea as it seems or not?

Hi beerhog,

Its quite common to use aquarium or even another AP system to 'seed' an new system by either using the water, filter muck or medium to get things kicking along.

As long as you don't tend to use lots of aquarium chemicals or medications, and your aquarium are healthy, great way to get started with your aquaponics.

thanks guys, the only chemicals that go near my aqaurium is the dechlorinater so i guess i should be good to go. im really getting excited about it im hoping to get all set up and running over my christmas holidays.

Throw away the "dechlorinator" as well...

Perfect way to start cycling you new fish tank is to use old water from water changs from your indoor tanks, and as RupertofOZ has stated throw away the dechlorinator it does bugger all and is generally not needed here is Aus, not to mention the little chlorine in the water will no harm your fish.

If your water has only chlorine in it, then you can simply bubble the water for a day or so to minimize the chlorine that would get to your system.

If you have chloramine in your tap water, bubbling it won't quite cut it.

Now if your system is already filled and cycled up and all you are doing is a small top up (less than 10%) and the chlorine/chloramine levels in your tap water are not too high, you can probably get away with skipping the dechlorinator. If you need to do bigger top ups or water changes, then get one of those hose end carbon filters.

If you have no choice but to need a dechlorinator, you need to do some research into finding something that is safe for use in a food system. Most aquarium chemicals are not meant for food systems and hence many of them are NOT safe to eat.