Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day all,


About 10 days ago I finished the first stage of my first system. It has been fish-less cycling since then.

The system so far consists of Tank, SLO to grow-bed currently running constant height draining to sump.

I plan to build a second grow-bed and towers of NFT in the coming weeks.


I have been adding Charlie carp and Seasol in small amounts every second day.

Today’s results are

Ph 7.6 (was 8.2 on Saturday)
Ammonia 6ppm (was 2 on Saturday)
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Nitrate 0.00ppm

Should I stop with the additives now ?



System Spec's

Tank 1000L IBC
Growbed 900 (w) x 1200 (l) x 300mm (d) – Hydroton
Sump 400L IBC
Pump 3500L/hr Jebao (ebay)
1000L/hr Aqua-one as spray bar
Air 4800L/hr ebay job


I will post some system pictures in the coming days.

Thanks

Welcome, would love to see the photos. You could stop adding and just test each day and adjust as needed. Seasol will only help your plants not the cycling of your system.

Edit have you planted anything yet, if not start planting.

As ccBear said, no more charlie carp until your Amm is showing 0.

We are all looking forward to seeing some photos.

yep, pics or it didnt happen.

good luck. its an awesome addiction this aquaponics thing.

Welcome Gritz

Given your GB dimensions you have aprox 350L of bio-filtration.

Thanks Gents, i will stop adding Charlie carp.

I will get some pics on the weekend. I'm normally not home during daylight.

Todays levels show slight increase

Ph 7.6
Ammonia 8ppm
Nitrite 0.50ppm
Nitrate 0.00ppm





Charlie, is 350L not enough?

Your right mate, just doing my maths out loud lol

Not sure why I do that.

As others have said, stop with the CC and over the next few days you will see your Nitri ramp up and then both Amm and Nitri will fall to zero. At this time Nitra will rise and you can either add fish or more CC.

Thanks Charlie.

No problemo my man.... we are here to help.


This nitrification chart may help you understand the chemical/bacterial curves. Ignore the 'you are here' as this was posted on another members thread for them... but you get the idea.

Hey gritz,

What are your plans for fish? I'm also at the same stage as you (fishless cycling) and nitrification permitting, looking to buy some jade perch in the next couple of weeks or so. If you'd be interested in buying together let me know. I'm in Paddington.