Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I was pumping the water through the bio filter continuously. Is that ok? Should I put air stones in it?

Yep, just keep pumping it through continuously.... you can make your growbeds "flood and drain" later.....

You need to keep your water as high in DO (dissolved oxygen) as possible due to the pH of your well water..... as it buffers, the need isn't as great and as people say Talapia are a very hardy fish.....

Probably can't have too much DO.... depending on your alttitude etc... but that's another box of dice....

I put 2 air pumps on today. They say they are rated for 60 Gallons each. Also, I pumped the sponge squeezing directly into the bottom of the bio filter. He gave me a huge shot of some kind of super starter ($300 for 32 ounces). He keeps telling me it should be ready in 4 days. I think he means an aquarium would be ready in 4 days. My pump is going. My fish and duckweed were shipped today. All I can do is hurry up and wait..
:munky2:

I bought a buffer powder that says it will make my water 7.0..

Does it say what it is Dandee

I did not read the label closely. Its says it buffers to 7 from acid or alkaline water. Interesting.. I put some in hoping that the bacteria will have an easy faster start.

My test kits are the ones that you put drops in and then compare the water color to a chart. I was disappointed. I wanted an ammonia test kit that you count drops to calculate the levels. I hate to compare colors. The color never looks like the card.. I never feel sure about the value. Does anyone know a source for a drop counting type ammonia and nitrate test?

It only says it contains phosphate buffers and conditioning agents.. Its also says it removes ammonia and chlorine; precipitates lime.

Sounds kinda nasty.. But hey, It worked great. I tested my water today and it is a 7.03 pH!

Perfect... I think this is good if the pH goes up or down this stuff will correct the pH allowing the bacteria to get going.

Hmmmmm.

use it sparingly and prepare for rampant algae due to the posphate..........maybe

Here is the ammonia test I took in my tank.
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I hate these things. What kind of reading is that? I would read it as .5

I would read it using the FRESHWATER card.

Oh, but you still can't tell the difference between 0.25 and 0.50, and I'm pretty sure that's the reading you'll have.

(Sorry, can't resist having some fun with the new guy!)

LOL, yea the fresh water card.. Great idea! (de de de)..
They looked the same to me
I wish I could get a drop counting test kit.

good pick, JP, the fresh water card is actually a bit easier to read!

i'd go the 0.25

DDM, can you tell me where is a good source for the hydroponic trays you use? I have an experiment in mind...

The only drop-counting kit I've every seen was for salinity.

In truth, it doesn't matter whether your ammonia is 0.25 or 0.5. Neither reading is cause for panic unless pH is very high, but you know you have room for improvement.

Sorry, most hydroponic stuff cost more that the same thing for other uses. I use what ever is cheaper. Thats why I made my grow beds.

For nft you can get gully channel HERE.