Hi to all the new members!
I thought i'd make a short to do list on what i did when first starting my system. I believe it is a very simple guide to get an aquaponics system up and running but more importantly CYCLED and STABLE
Don't stress too much about the ifs and buts, just do it
IMHO do this:
A) Get a container for a fishtank that is as large as you possibly can.
B) Get another container of at least 50 litres (approx25 gallons) and fill it with gravel or hydro rocks.
C) set up a pump to pump water from the fish tank evenly over the gravel
D) Put some fish in and feed very minimally for the first 4 weeks, keep the temp between 20C and 25C if you can and the PH around the 7.5 mark.
E) Don't forget to use rain water or de-chlorinated water
F) Don't go nuts with your fish levels, i used about Five 50mm (2 inch) fish per 200Lt. Once you have cycled you can add more, slowly is safer.
The above plan of attack will get your system "cycled" (read the useful info section)
Once you have a "cycled" system that is operating stable, you can try any number of variations on the theme, becasue your system has the THREE things you need for sucessful aquaponics.
1) fish
2) plants
3) nitrifying bacteria (with out this everything falls in a smelly heap
)
If you like to measure things then when both the ammonia and nitrites have come to ZERO (ammonia first then nitrites) your system has completed cycling. If you're not the testing sort of person just be aware that generally speaking the quickest this is going to happen is 4 weeks under ideal conditions (25C and PH 7.5)
I really suggest reading the "useful info" section so you can understand WHAT and HOW things are happening
Oh, i forgot the most important thing..............HAVE FUN
PS: If you know anyone that is willing to give you a glass of "muck" from their fish tank filter and some aquarium water (as much as possible) then pour this over your gravel. "Muck" first then water and let it drain into your system. It will help you HEAPS
Steve
Backyard Aquaponics
