Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Latest test:

pH 6.3
NH4 8+
NO2 0
NO3 5

Nitrites have all been converted and mostly used, still plenty of ammonia though. Egg shells aren't raising the pH very quickly, so I'll add 1 tsp of sodium bicarb.

A day after adding the 1 tsp of sodium bicarb, test results:

pH 6.2
NH4 8
NO2 0
NO3 2

pH went down, which is weird, and I don't seem to be getting any ammonia->nitrite conversion.

Well...... thats very strange indeed!

I guess you could put more in then. The PH should move pretty much straight away if it's stirred in, I test mine immediately after adding.

I'd add another teaspoon and test it again, see if the PH moves. If you still need to add more I'd give it a few hours and retest before adding more.

Normal cycling takes about 3-4 weeks, I think you are in the 2nd week?

pH needs to be raised, so keep working on that.

Nitrite/Ammo conversion needs a couple of weeks - don't even worry about the nitrates at this stage.

Don't put in any fish yet

...work gradually on the pH...and your "P" atience

...and cut back on the ammonia additive

LOL

I'll add some more bicarb.

I thought the water from a koi pond would shorten the 4 week cycling time

Good point...then I'd say it is the low pH that is inhibiting the progress.

Low pH has shown to be okay in a well established system, but on starting really needs to be up around 7 or better

others may have said tamo, but ur bacteria need a 7 or so to perform at their best and get established. Also a little warmth.

Tam, I put 2 teaspoons of potassium bicarb per day in my 150 gal setup. That keeps my established system at 7.0

And it would seem Janet that potassium bicarbonate may have a secondary and highly beneficial use ......

http://www.sgaonline.org.au/info_powderymildew.html

I've always used the milk spray cure.... might have to try the potassium bicarb.... one product fits all

That's pretty neat, Rupe! Good research.

So it turns out I'm mildly retarded. The other day I put in baking powder (has other stuff in it) instead of baking soda (pure sodium bicarb). After putting in the correct stuff yesterday, today's readings are:

pH: 6.8
NH4 8
NO2 2
NO3 40

So pH is up, which seems to have triggered a good bit of nitrifying, and the sprouts look a little bit bigger already!

I still have a ton of ammonia in there though

Yeah, maybe too much Tamo.... take your water temperature and consult the temp/ammonia chart to determine your safe levels....

If you had fish in there it might have been time for a water change.....

Regardless, consult the chart to ensure you're within range for the bacteria themselves to perform.

No more "additives" required.....

Today's readings: pH 6.8, everything else 0.

So I guess I need more ammonia to feed the system...

Since the ammonia dropped to 0, I went out and got 15 small comets. I'm hoping that the salt from the sodium bicarb that I added will prevent any disease emergence.

I'm thinking that if the goldies work out, then eventually I'll switch to koi for aquarium resale. I like the ease of cold-water species.

A day later, the fish seem... like fish. None dead, all active in running away when I take off the FT cover. pH still at 6.8, and other readings at 0 so I started giving them food. 1/2 tsp of goldfish flake food to start off.

They seem to like the pipe pieces I put in the tank for habitats, hiding in/under them.

No immediate reaction to the food I put in the water, but I'm guessing they're just scaredy-scales.