Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

PH beeso?

didn't check mate because its been constant at 7 the last 4 tests over a week and a half should i go do one its been at 7

As Rupe indicated, ammonia is less toxic at lower temps and ph. THis is because the % of total ammonia in the system is made up of ionised and unionised ammonia. It is unionised ammonia that is most toxic and the % of unionised ammonia (as % of total ammonia) is higher as ph and temps rise. Water change might be a good idea. Obviously your piss is quite potent. Looks like you don't have a problem with lack of nitrate anymore

Besso, here's the chart from the other thread I was referring to ...

yeah just saw, i'm getting a bit of a water change as we speak since my system is open to the sky...

Nice, let the weather do the work =)

Sweet water... nothing better

To answer your question Beeso, on the back of the ammonia colour chart on my test kit it says to add the drops, shake well then let it stand for 5 minutes before taking the reading

I have also found it is important to close and shake after adding each chemical...

Plus compare the colours in natural light, fluros can make the colour appear differently.

yep on the lights, really orange or "warm" CF or incandescany skew the colour too

I would do a 50% water change every day until your ammonia is back under 2. Also, stop feeding until ammonia is down. With ammonia that high, I'd expect that your fish would be trying to jump from the water, or would be flashing (darting quickly against objects in the tank or the tank itself to scratch their itches). You might also add 2-3ppt uniodized salt to help sooth the fish and help lower the toxicity of the ammonia and nitrite.

system seems to be settling a bit
ph (just for steve) 7
amm- 1.5
nitrite- 3
nitrate -15

Have the plants picked up since you increased the nitrate levels Beeso?

Out of curiousity Besso... did you end up doing a water change or did you just sit it out and wait?

mmm maybe a bit though the broccoli is already pretty mature and i have added a grow bed maybe a little, not amazingly so