Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looks like its settling to a better level. It originally looked like it was up around 9 or higher, bacteria wouldnt establish at that high pH and there would be a range of nutrient lockout for your plants and they would suffer. I doubt the fish would like it either. 8 is fairly common in new systems so your looking good now.

That's good to know. I was starting to get concerned. Thanks again for your help.

Yea, strange how it peaked like that.

Yeah that is very strange. When I did it the first time I used the low PH solution and now I can't remember if I cleaned out the test tube or not before I used the high PH stuff. Maybe that's why it did that.

I had the same problem with my rocks. I had to let the system cycle for a few days then replace the water; even after rinsing the rocks first.

Wow that's crazy! I did rinse my rocks, but not very well. I guess you will never get it all out.

I put an old tube sock on the end of my return pipe to the sump. It really helped clean out the water from my "pre-washed" gravel. Crystal clear in about 2 days of running.

Funny you should mention that. I did just that thismorning, although I used an old flannel sheet instead of a sock! You are right it really catches a lot of the fine dirt!

Well, not a whole lot has happened over the past three days, as I have been away. I just got back today and I couldn't wait to check out my greenhouse. I did another water test and these are my results...



Tomorrow is Canada day and we are going to some celebrations in the morning, but I hope that the afternoon will be very productive. As long as the heat lets up a little bit. It was 31 feels like 42 today. Not that I'm complaining with the winter we had this year!

So after messing around with my bell siphon all afternoon, I think that I have it all figured out. I managed to get the rest of my GB filled up. I planted some seeds as well!



This is the "washer" that I made to hold onto my bell

Here are some of my peas coming up.



Here is my water test for the day, same as yesterday.

It'll be full of life and overgrown in no time!

Looking good.

Is that washer so you can pickup the bell ? as in your fingers didn't fit down the sides?

Can you take a picture of the final product?

Thanks colum, I'm looking forward to it, I think!

No the washer is between the bulkhead and where my stand pipe screws into the bulkhead. I was having trouble with my bell floating.

Picture it as having 2 end caps on your bell!

Unfortunately I can't take a picture of that one without taking the whole think apart, I should of taken a picture of it before I installed it. I do have to make one for my GB on the other side, so I will take a picture of that one.

I do like the idea of putting something on top of the bell so that I can take it out easier, as my fingers are getting all cut and scratched trying to get the bell out of there. I have been thinking about making the hole bigger, but haven't decided yet.