Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My IBC Aquaponic System in Barbados

A few more pics

No fish added yet, as I am still cycling.
Current readings are:
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrites 0.5ppm
Nitrates 0ppm
pH 7.0

Once cycled I plan to add Tilapia to the Fish Tank.

Looks like the water level is too high. Media on top should remain dry to avoid algae, fungus, fungus nats/bugs and it is hard on plant stems. Looks great otherwise!

Water level is about 2" below the level of the top of the clay, which you can kind of see in this pic.

the dark area is the water height

Still waiting for Nitrogen cycle to start.
5 days later and Ammonia is at 0.5ppm but Nitrites and Nitrates are almost 0.
Water is now green and cannot see the bottom of the tank.
No fish added yet.
Am I right in saying when the ammonia gets to 0ppm, I add ammonia again to get it back to 4ppm and wait for it to return to 0ppm, and continue this until the time take to go from 4ppm to 0ppm is about 12hrs?

Cycling has started!
added ammonia to 4ppm, and 24hrs later it has dropped to 1ppm.
Nitrites are up at 10ppm (up from 0.5)
Nitrates are at 80ppm.
Time to source some Tilapia.

Cover your tank to exclude light will help, also a lid to stop organic matter falling in.

Ok. Will see what I can come up with.
Is the occasional leaf falling in a problem? Figure the Tilapia would probably eat them, and if not, they would just add to the Nitrate count.

Nice work Farmz, great to see your system. I don't think the occasional leaf is an issue but everyone that has an uncovered fish tank starts complaining about algae growth within a few weeks.

Regards, Martin.

Thanks Martin
Tank was running clear until I dosed it with ammonia.
Anyhow, think I have some plywood I can use to cover it.

Ammonia was at 0ppm
pH was 6.5
Nitrite 10ppm
Nitrate 80ppm

Redosed it to 4ppm Ammonia

Ammonia 0
Nitrites look to be higher than 10ppm
Nitrates now above 80ppm...closer to 120ppm
pH about 6.0

Not adding any ammonia as I hope to get some fish by the weekend once the Nitrites start coming down.
Little concerned about the pH.
Should I raise it and with what?

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 10+
Nitrates close to 160
pH about 6

Was hoping to add fish this weekend, but with the Nitrite being high, I guess I won't be.
Or am I over reacting.
Also concerned about the pH and it locking out the plants from nutrients, although they show no signs.

Collected some tap water and let it sit for 48hrs to let the Chlorine off gas. Added that to the fish tank and left it for 24hrs. pH now up to between 7 and 7.5. But Nitrites still 10+ppm and Nitrates above 160ppm. Planted 3 cherry tomatoes Friday and another 3 today, as well as an eggplant earlier in the week. Haven't added any ammonia in a week. Hope the nitrites start dropping soon.
Took the advice, and covered the FT, to cut down on the exposure to sunlight and reduce the algae growth, and hopefully reduce the water loss due to evaporation.