Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

BINGO!!!

I removed the rocks from my first GB (Plastic laundry trough) and found that several rocks were limestone. That may have contributed to the rising pH.

I will do another water change and then leave it to see if the pH continues to rise.

No readings tonight - had to work late.

Had that gut feeling Tony....

Bet money you'll stablise your system much quicker now....

That much limestone in such a small volume of water was the only explanation for your pH moving 1 - 1.5 measures in a single day after water changes etc.....

With your pH from the bore being 6.5 (I think you said), you could now find yourself over time heading in the opposite direction pH wise...

Keep the limestone rocks... maybe break them up into smaller pieces and if need be add small amounts back to buffer the system if needed

Thot so. It may take a couple water changes or some time before the buffering already in the water is consumed.

Here are the readings from today (2 days after 90% water change)
Date - - pH - - NH3 - - NO2 - NO3 - Temp
21/10 - 8.0 - - 0.25 - - 0 - - - 0 - - 19.4 We shall see how it goes without plants in the pond.
22/10 - 8.4 - - 0.25 - - - 0.5 - - 10 - NA
No readings for 23/10 as I had to work late
24/10 - 8.2 - - 1.0 - - - 2.0 ! - 40 - 20.5
25/10 - 8.4 - - 0 - - - - 1.0 - - 40 - N/A pH rising again, will change our some water tomorrow, algae growing nicely, perhaps I will put some in with the tilapia in my aquarium, they should clear it up quick smart.

don't thinkso (on the NO2 question)

Well, the rocks were not limestone, but did have some concrete on them and in the dark looked and felt like limestone. There are now NO reactive rocks or stones in the pond or GB. The original plants, kept in a 100L tub had clear water at pH 7.4, were added back to the pond along with my floating planter (silver beet, parsley and now some Lebanese water cress.
I refiled the pond (100% water change) with water at pH 7.6 on Saturday afternoon. 50 hours later, the water measures pH 8.4.

What is happening?

Just say a positive affirmation
My water is crystal clear.

I'm at as much of a loss as you Tony on this pond.... can't make any sense of it at all.....

There must be an explaination, but I can't seem to see it....

What did Joel have to say about it, did he have any theories?

Joel was leaving all of the promises to Faye,
She seemed to be making enough for both of them

Faye, exactly what was your promise?
Was it something like: "That it is fixed and you won't have a problem any more, especially with the water cress added?"

I will keep measuring the pH and NH3. I won't measure the other parameters as I am getting low in NO3 indicator solutions.

I have outdoor ponds that never have been filtered other than water plants and when they extract nutrients the water becomes crystal clear.
Although I must say I have not tested the ph on them. If the plants are happy and the fish are happy, which they seem to be why worry?

Quote-I refiled the pond (100% water change) with water at pH 7.6 on Saturday afternoon. 50 hours later, the water measures pH 8.4.

Was that Saturday or Sunday Tony?

We refilled on Saturday, around 1pm and 50 hours later, at 3pm on Sunday, the pH had sky rocketed.

I can't figure this out.

I have measured the pH today and it comes in at 8.4 again.

Even worse than that Tony.... it's actually only 26 hours since you refilled it...... half the time you thought

OOps, my error, that was Monday afternoon (29th) not Sunday, I didn't take any readings on the 28th.

Well that sorted that out.... doesn't help explain ya pH though ...