Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Ryan just called- he's on his way with my koi! Will post pictures later. Was hoping to take him and his little brother out to lunch, but he has some more deliveries and will need to get back home.

Nitrites got a bit high Thursday. Skipped a few feedings and salted back to around 2.5. They are back down around .5 now. Should be good for the new fish.

One huge, pregnant female. Ryan doesn't think any of the males are quite big enough to breed yet.
Some really quality looking fish. They are adjusting to their new home. Will try feeding lightly later tonight.

Koi seem to be doing good. Smaller ones in IBC are eating well. Larger ones in 1000 gallon tank are still being shy. They should eat later today or tomorrow.

I took some new tilapia and put in the 55 gallon tank inside. Going to try these- no luck with others in terms of breeding yet.

More issues. had another Nitrite spike. 5 weeks since spending $850.00 on the plastic miracle K1, I'm still struggling with this. Did a 20-25% water change...the first since I started. Didn't really like the idea of dumping 1500 gallons of water out.
Then this AM, still struggling with Nitrites. Larger(more expensive) koi have not came off bottom in big tank, and have not eaten in 3 days.

I have zero ammonia, so I don't think there is a dead fish somewhere. Going to need to buy some more salt now as well. Not a good weekend regarding the RAS.

I don't know what's going on with your filter . Any idea what your alkalinity and hardness currently are? Small spikes like this aren't that unusual especially when adding a bunch of fish like this but it's better if there aren't any. The Ammonia oxidizers grow faster so there is some lag and hopefully that's what you're seeing this time.

Hardness is between 30-40.Not sure of alkalinity. Limestone aquifer. PH in system is 7.52. coming out of K1 filter, 7.36
I did another small water change just now. Very worried about the new koi with the .5 Nitrates. Dropped them down to .25, and will add more salt tomorrow. I've dropped below 2ppt with all the water exchanges.

I did see the big guys a bit today. A few came up and ate a few bites. Ryan said no worries, they will eat when they get used to their new digs.

I am not sure what's going on either but my guess is it has something to do with your shade cloth tank the retention time and MBBR sizing to fish load and same thing there retention time.. Did Ryan advice you any on your setup? Being that he has seen the whole system?

Da bacteria no grow
Without da carbon source mon!

That low Alk stuck out like a sore thumb when I just saw it. Boost to 150ppm with Sodium bicarbonate and watch that filter take off!

And let me just say, Chris has a beautiful set up and you can tell he put in a lot of work building it. Happy fish, good looking water, great looking mini AP greenhouse!

Scored some No Pussy hot sauce and have all my friends JEALOUS!

Thanks again Chris! Now go get some baking soda and make sure not to watch your pH!

How do I test for Sodium Bicarb, and where is the best place to buy it? Appx how much for my 6500 gallon system?

Coachchris, hold off for a bit I think Ryan misread your statement.

Hey Ryan, are you sure you're not reading that wrong? What alkalinity, I guess I should have asked if that was carbonate hardness

If he's right, it's an easy fix and that's what I was hoping when I asked . Check out the fourth science panel on this page - http://www.mankysanke.co.uk/html/anoxic_filtration.html
see the carbonates being converted in the equations?

Is it going to whack my PH?

???
How only have a KH hardness test and a Calcium test kit.

Yeah I mistook hardness for Alk but they are related. If hardness is that low and he's not buffering for nitrification, its limited by the available Alk in his source water and Alk will also be low.

Grab an alkalinity test kit Chris and keep your pH meter handy. You don't test specifically for sodium bicarbonate but your alkalinity will go up and pH will buffer in the mid 7's.

0.16-0.18lbs sodium bicarbonate for every pound of feed to replace Alk lost to nitrification @42%protein