Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

You've been cycling for a month or less?
All is going fine Bazington, you're halfway (ish) there.
The first conversion from ammonia to Nitrites is happening (nitrite spike).
When the nitrate levels start to drop and nitrates *probably show up then you're almost there. (*nitrates may not show if you have heaps of plants and they drink them up but they will usually be detectable).
Once your nitrites vanish you're pretty much cycled.
It's all downhill from here.

Day 33. Nitrite and nitrate on ZERO.

Has cycling finished?

I didn't see any nitrate spikes.

Not enough fish maybe? Or your plants are eating it all

If your previously measurable nitrites have vanished then you have the right bacteria present now doing their job.
Fully cycled isn't a term I'd use yet but it's probably close enough.
Like Jayendra suggested, maybe your stocking and feeding might be a bit light? Crank up the feeding slightly if you can and check to see if ammonia or nitrites appear again. If they do then I'd say the bacteria colonies are still smallish and need to grow. If they don't then you're well into things.

There are only five goldfish in there. Have chopped a lot of the silverbeet leaves and eaten them. See if that makes any difference.

I am looking at getting more fish in two weeks. Want to check with stocking rate:

500L FT. 300L GB.

5 goldfish.

Want to add - 10 silver perch and 5 catfish.

Does this sound reasonable?

Also thinking of throwing 20 odd yabbies into the 500L ST.

Thanks Bodgy.

I have upped the feeding. Was only feeding the goldfish once a day. Now feeding them three times a day, making sure I don't overfeed them at the same time.

After five days I haven't noticed any increase in levels.

Ammonia, nitrate and nitrite all dead even on zero.

There is a slight yellow tinge too all my two week old seedlings that started from seed in the system, which concerns me a bit. Thought they would be going crazy

Small fish make small amounts of ammonia, lots of small fish make lots of little amounts, as your fish get bigger they will produce more than you will need like my fish do now. I started with ten small goldfish, it wasn’t until I added the three silvers that the nitrite appeared. When I put the Barra in it hit the roof. it’s a balancing act for me ATM. Between warmth for the Barra so they don’t stop eating. And nitrate levels. And silvers are very skittish, well the ones I have are,

Good luck with the new fish, bazington.

Hi Bazington,
Great thread, reminds me of the excitement I had when I put in my first system.
The excitement doesn't wear off, as you get more adventurous and try new things.
The yellowing of the leaves may be due to iron deficiency. Try putting in a little iron chelate. It won't fix the yellow in the leaves already there, but should fix it for the new ones coming

Went for a drive up to Glenwaters today. Picked up 16 silver perch and 15 yabbies.

Here are the 15 silver perch with the goldfish.

Are you doing the test right?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1DrY4Qaj5Y

I have posted this a few time now. it’s a link that helped me get it right. Like you I had the small spike, then I watched the clip and started to do the test right.

I hope you find your Nitrates.

Hi Blizzard. I must have forgotten to reply to your earlier message about this.

I checked out that vid straight after you posted it. Since then I've been doing the test exactly like in the video.

No Nitrates to be found. For the past 2 weeks everything is on zero.

I'm now 50 days in since adding fish. I am guessing/hoping that the system has cycled.

Seeing how the new additions in the tank are will be the test. Hopefully no deaths.

I wouldn’t worry about deaths to much as you seam to be on too it, just keep up the good work and we want to see pictures,

All the best mate.

Must have jinxed myself. Found two dead fish in the GB. Straight up the SLO. Made some adjustments.

System is running well. All seems to be going to plan. Have lost two yabbies but have also rescued 12 babies and brought them inside. Here are some pics of a yabby molting and some babies hanging out near it.