Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ok I got the PVC valves to replace the brass ones. Now hopefully I get home early enough tomorrow to replace them. Wanted to send pictures of the progress.


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Tested my water tonight finally. How screwed up am I? Using a master kit

March 31
FT1

Ph 6
Hi Ph 7.4
Ammonia .5 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80


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Needs a few blinky rave lights just because if you are going to do night shots.

I know I would

Where is the mirror ball?

Keep your photos to 800 x 700 or less will be a benifit to your thread. Cheers

and your water readings look good

I put the water in my tanks over a month ago and let it just sit there I guess that may help the process.


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Just tested samples.

April 2
FT1
Ph 6.4
Hi Ph 7.3
Ammonia 1 ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80-90

Small changes is there a reason my ammonia is going up?


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Oh forgot to mention my daughter is doing a science project that fell right into our little world.

Do plants grow better on water or soil?

Well we planted two cucumber plants one in GB2 and one on a pot with soil. The one in GB2 has grown 2cm in 4 days and the one in soil has stayed the same.


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I like that school project idea - very cool.

Not sure about the ammonia - check for fish food that hasn't been cleaned out, dead fish, overfeeding, not enough plants to take up nutrients leading to decrease in ammonia conversion, etc etc.

May have too many fish there's about 50+/- minnows and shiners in the tank but figured they wouldn't grow up and they r cheap for cycling


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Hey Binky,

For now keep an eye on the ammonia and if it keeps climbing you would have to take action. If you're still cycling you want to try and minimise your interference in the system so that you don't cause too many problems by your own actions.

Regards, Martin.

I did shut down flow for about 30 min to change out the brass valves with PVC valves don't know if that was long enough to cause sufficient issues but I shouldn't have to interfere in the process again anytime soon.


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I don't think shutting down for a short period will make a big difference.
I am thinking that I am not paying attention - didn't you switch this system on less than a week ago? If so then ammonia is desirable to get the nitrogen cycle started, as long as it doesn't go too high. An ammonia level of 1-2 is sufficient for cycling especially if you have fish you don't want it to go higher.

Regards, Martin.

This is from biddaddy:
"Ammonia source...Ammonia peak at well over 2 for a day or so..Then it will drop off...The Ammonia will convert to Nitrites...and you will get a show of nitrites...They will peak to well over 5 for a while then drop off...Once they drop off and the Nitrites start to convert to nitrates your plants will eat the nitrates... Only when your nitrites and ammonia are reading 0 or close to 0 can you say you have cycled...Don't worry about the nitrates until your system has cycled...just carefully and steadily watch your cycling process and take it easy...let nature do her stuff and you'll be fine..."

Regards, Martin.