Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Could you:
1. Drain the GBs into the big tank;
2. Put a pump in the big tank that has the same flow rate as your other one and pump that into the sump; and then
3. Pump the sump into the GBs?

Getting two pumps that have the same flow rate all the time could be tricky though. Much better to use a SLO.

Maybe just add a separate GB to the big tank and run it as a separate system?

Love the handiwork btw

Thanks Fuzzy. Wish I could've managed the sweet corner joins on your system. I borrowed a friends drop saw which had a lock on 45degrees but still mangled the corners .. ah well, it's a 'rustic' look now

Actually, I want the pump out of the fish tank altogether, so dual pumps wouldn't help. I think I'll take Charlies advice and just leave it .. I will see how the first batch of fish go.

Does anyone know of a plant which can be added to the FT to provide some natural cover? Like a lillypad or something?

I'm about to put in an order for Skretting trout feed, so if anyone in Melbourne wants in, I will have 3x20kg bags spare. I have another post from a while back with the prices.

Still cycling. Running nearly constant flood.

The last 8 days my levels have been:

ph nh3 no2 no3

7.6 2.0 5.0 08
7.6 1.5 5.0 30
7.6 1.5 5.0 30
7.6 1.0 5.0 30
7.6 1.0 5.0 40
7.6 2.0 5.0 40
7.6 2.0 5.0 80
7.6 2.0 5.0 80

I noticed that the nitrites had been hitting 5.0 almost immediately, so I did half tank water with fresh water and still hit 5.0. I did 1/6th tank and it just hit 5.0 at the 5 minute mark. I haven't added any CC for 2 weeks now, and I never had an ammonia spike, just a solid 2.0 with a drop a few days back. My nitrates are rising but the plants arn't looking well.. I know this is part of the process, but should I lower my ph slightly to get some more nutrients to the plants?

I found a tiny leak in one of the drainage pipes. It only drips when I'm running 15/45 so must be the pressure of the water when its on constant keeping the liner flat. I can probably get in there with some sikaflex .. is there a particular type that is able to stick under water? I should do this before the fish arrive and possibly catch the water that is running through at the time..?

Thanks!

Nice looking system Torcz

Hi Torcz,
Nice system, I like the natural look of it. I built mine in a similar fasion but then clad it all in decking
Because mine is in full sun most of the day im going to use water hyacinth to give shade. Each plant covers a six inch circle and the gnats/mozzies love it, so my trout are happy

Torcz are you around on friday avo?
I would love to see your system

Yeah, after work. Are you in town regardless, or to pick up feed? The skretting stuff is landing tomorrow apparently, but I have a bag of 3mm if something goes wrong and you need it. Will Pm the deets.

Hey greenanchor. I think the water hyacinth has been banned in Australia, it does a little too well .. but yep, it would be perfect. Anyone know of an alternative?

Everyone I got to see torcz system today !! fantastic looking little system. Very impressed.
Nice to network online
I'll bring you some seedlings next weekend.

Quick update and a couple questions:

I've been fishless cycling for over 1.5 months now. The levels were stuck at: 7.6 ph, 2.0 nh3, 5.0 no2 and 80 no3 for roughtly a month (nitrates varying a bit). I did a 50% water dump maybe 2 weeks back, and again 50% the other day. Levels didn't budge. I get a fair bit of oxygen into the fish tank via the spray bar and a air pump. I haven't added anything at all for over a month.

Any tips on speeding up this process? I'd been patient up until this week when I noticed the plants starting to wilt and lose their colour..

Also, I have a few handfuls of expanded clay that got into the the fish tank ... will this be ok? The fish wouldnt try to eat it right?

Thanks!

That's annoying torcz.

What about heat?

Not sure about the heat. I will get a cheapo temperature gauge tomorrow. I'm setting up a couple sensors to log data, but haven't got around to it. I'm guessing the temps are going to be similar to yours - what are your temps currently?

I should have said in the previous post: I've actually done three 50% dumps and each time the ammonia and nitrate went down, but the nitrite is still maxing out on 5.0. The last dump I could see it just reached 5.0, so perhaps there is now room for the bacteria to do its thing?

What are your local temps Torcz? Even if they are low I would expect that your ites would have dropped off by now to some degree.

What are you adding for amm? And are you still adding it and how much? MAybe you are just overwhelming the biofiltration at this stage.

Just spit balling

I was using Charlie Carp to bring up the ammonia, but that was over a month ago. The ammonia never went over 2 or so that I can remember, so I don't think I overwhelmed it. we've had a few cold mornings, but no frost, and the days have been pretty warm, like 13 - 17.

After each water dump the ammonia has gone down by the appropriate percentage, but not more. Is it possible the bacteria has disappeared? Should I add a little more to rejuvenate things? Ammonia is 0.25 currently, nitrite is still 5.0...