Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Titus- I could do that, or I could just rinse the whole thing and put it all back in. It all gets rinsed off anyways, just a matter of how much time passes between removing and getting it cleaned and out back in and system back circulating. It takes an extra 15-20 minutes, for a total of about 80 minutes vs. 40-50 when I swap them out. Not sure if I'm saving any bacteria that way or not?? I though my nitrites would drop after cleaning filter and then seeing them shoot up again after just adding 1 additional feeding caught me off guard.

Swede- about every week. The last cleaning, it wasn't very dirty. Due to the fact that while I was out of town, the guy who was watching fish only fed once daily.

Coach i copied this paragraph from some notes i have,may be of interest.
Micronutrients

All species of nitrifying bacteria require a number of micronutrients. Most important among these is the need for phosphorus for ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) production. The conversion of ATP provides energy for cellular functions. Phosphorus is normally available to cells in the form of phosphates (PO4). Nitrobacter, especially, is unable to oxidize nitrite to nitrate in the absence of phosphates.

Sufficient phosphates are normally present in regular drinking water. During certain periods of the year, the amount of phosphates may be very low. A phenomenon known as "Phosphate Block" may occur. If all the above described parameters are within the optimum ranges for the bacteria and nitrite levels continue to escalate without production of nitrate, then phosphate block may be occurring. In recent years, with the advent of phosphate-free synthetic sea salt mixes, this problem has become prevalent among marine aquarists when establishing a new tank.

Fortunately, phosphate block is easy to remedy. A source of phosphate needs to be added to the aquarium. Phosphoric Acid is recommended as being simplest to use and dose, however, either mono-sodium phosphate or di-sodium phosphate may be substituted. When using a 31% phosphoric acid mixture, apply a one time application of 1 drop per 4 gallons of water to activate the Nitrobacter. This small dosage of phosphoric acid will not affect the pH or alkalinity of marine aquaria.

DB, I tried some earlier. I'll add some more...can't hurt.
Thanks.

If I did my math right, it's 2.6 ounces for my 6000 gallon system.

Close enough to what I got based on their info . I think it's good that you're trying this again.

By any chance do you have a phosphate test kit?

I still think that your biofilter isn't there yet.

Hard to know, wouldn't surprise me one way or the other though.

Added more Phosphate.

How did that go?

Checked again this am. Still over 2. Feed lightly,and will check again at 5:30. Ph dropped about .25.

Making it around 7.1?

Yeah. Batteries went dead on ph meter and i didn't have time to recalibrate, so that may not be accurate. I'll check that in a while also.

Calibrated PH meter and now I'm at about 7.3. Added a few more cu ft of K1 to IBC. I think I've reached the tipping point, and may have to remove some. It's clogging up under the return lines and not circulating like it should. I'll wait a few days and see if it improves.

Nitrites were at about 1 this AM, fed twice yesterday, and am hoping to do the same today and rest of week. PH coming out of MBBR is the same as going in...a bad sign. At the best with the old homemade bioballs, I was at a .25 drop. I was hoping to top that, but so far, that's not happening.

I ordered a few more parts - knife valve to add backup blower and some more air stones.

Still no luck with breeding the super males. I'm about to just go back to the blues, which breed so easily. Frustrating for sure. The supers are supposed to give 25-30% faster growth and meat, and 99% males. All sounds great, IF I could get them to breed.

Lol.. Patience.. I feel your frustration but I am sure you will see improvement as soon as the MBBR gets in shape