Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and thought I might share a few pics of my new IBC system for some feedback.

I have made an IBC AP system with a 250mm GB with a 750mm FT as per the design in the "IBC of Aquaponics" and have 8 Silver Perch in the tank and they seem to be doing just fine. The system was completed on the 20th of this month

To get the system cycled quickly I have been using some of the tank water and filter media from my other Goldfish tanks which have been going pretty well for 1yr now and seem to be pretty well established (i.e pH 6.5-7, 0.0 ammonia, 0.0 Nitrite, 0,0 Nitrate).

I have been keeping a log of the AP tank water over the past week and have seen the following readings.


pH 8, 8, 8, 7.6

Ammonia 0, 0, 0.4, 0.5,

Nitrite 0, 0, 0, 0.25,

Nitrate 0, 0, 0, 0,


I am hoping that the increase in Nitrite is due to the beneficial bacteria converting the ammonia given that I have not added anything to the system. I have been pretty carefull with keeping uneaten food off the bottom of the tank to minimise the production of ammonia, most of the uneaten food is pumped out of the FT by the water pump.

I am most likely doing a number of things and would appreciate any feedback the forum has.


Cheers

Hey Gaz, that looks really great. The readings look good and are with in a safe range and travelling in the right direction. Keep the fish feeding to a minimum and all should be good.
If you want to read a bit more about the cycling process in a new system you can download the first edition of the BYAP magazine, there is an article about the nitrogen cycle and also healthy fish are happy fish http://www.backyardmagazines.com/shop/b ... edition-1/

Welcome to the forum, your system looks tip top.

If you wanted to get rid of the timber boards, you can turn the GB 90 deg and sit it back down on the FT. IBC's are longer one way than the other.

Faye/Charlie,

Thanks for the feedback, I'll download the BYAP magazine tonight!

I might take the timber slats out at some stage given that they stay fairly wet/moist and I am worried that they might rot down the track!

Once the plants/fish see some growth I'll throw some more photos up


Cheers

I would get the wood out sooner rather than later if it is treated Gaz. You wouldnt want your fish to go belly up from leaching poison! Especially if they are constantly wet. Or you could paint them

Also keep in the back of your mind that if you get a lot of sunlight in that area you might get algae explosions

Nice looking system though

I looked at the second photo and was thinking 'ahhhh there isnt much water in there mate...'

rsevs3

I didn't even consider that the timber would have been treated thanks for the heads-up. I'll move the slats this weekend

Yeah I noticed that I'd put the photos in backward.. Oh well I'll eventually get the hang of it.

Cheers for all the help!

We do everything backwards around here

Here... around backwards.. everything do we....

YodaofOz

The only prob with removing the timber and rotating the GB 90 degrees is you wind up with a fairly small opening to access the fish tank which can make catching your fish a bit tricky down the track...

Gaz,

Good point, given that SP are only lil' fellas at the moment I have a bit of time to tinker with the system.

On a side note, I had a glance at your system and had noticed that your FT is cladded, did you notice a big difference in water loss (evaporation) when you had that installed? Did you also install insulation between the cladding to maintain water temp? If so do you feel that it is worthwile.

Cheers

Yep that is true Gaz.

I fixed it by getting a really big net

I insulated and clad my system pretty much as soon as it was built, but I think there would be limited difference in evaporation, a small difference in water temp and the main benefit would be keeping the sun off to reduce algal growth.

Bit of an update to get a bit of advice!


Over the past week I have seen a big shift in the ammonia levels from >1ppm to 0ppm I have also seen a spike in the amount of Nitrite (2ppm) and Nitrate (60-80ppm) in the water. As a precaution I stopped feeding for a few days to try and curb the Nitrite levels, however, nothing seemed to work. pH was relatively stable at around 6.2 -6.4 .

I Removed approximately 5-10% of the water and topped up with some fresh stuff.

As of today I have noted that the all nutrient levels are at 0.0ppm and the pH is slightly more alkaline at 7.2. Have I stuffed up the cycling system or is this expected

Are you saying that your Nitrate has gone from 60-80 down to 0? Or just nitrite and ammonia are 0?

If you don't already, add some shell grit to keep your pH stable and some salt to protect your fish from affects of nitrite should it spike again.

Yep,

Ammonia = 0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0ppm

pH 7.2