Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We are developing our second system. The first was and IBC and vertical towers, this is an in ground pond that will have horizontal beds. No fish yet, but the ducks swimming in it have provided ample ammonia and nitrogenous waste to start cycling. We are at the second ammonia surge after algae bloom and die off. For a few weeks now,since the algae growth, the water has smelled some what minty. Google offered no ideas. Ammonia is 8, nitrates and nitrates 0, pH 8. It seems to be healthy other than the ammonia surge of first cycling as we have healthy may fly larva in the filter. Mostly curious what could cause the smell. Very little green algae now compared to the big bloom.

Might be some mint family plants around there . You might be stepping on some as you're working. I think they have square stems if you break a stem and look at the cross section. Other plants can give off a mint smell too.

http://www.michigangardener.com/mint-charlatans-discover-herbs-that-smell-and-taste-like-mint-without-its-bad-habits/