Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Amazing isn't it. I didn't really experience the pea soup phase - though I am quite sure my system has cycled.

Nor did I... but with the bacteria I got from EB, and the big doses of 'muck' fom my large tank it seemed to prevent it happening... and there is the fact that the ponds are in shade 90% of the day too

BR mate,
can u let me know what water testing kit you have and where u got it from?

I priced one today at Burp pet supplies ($50) does PH, ammonia,nitrites, nitrates and 2 others which I can't remember, he won't have any until next week - he doesn't stock Ridley's pellets tho.

Les

Les something like this?

Hagen Mini Master Test Kit
http://www.ageofaquariums.com.au/category22_1.htm

I think that's the one Steve, he didn't have any in stock but $42 + P&P makes it about the same price. I'll be back to see him next week and get the manufacturers name and buy it if BR's is similar in price etc

Steve - unfortunately the Hagan Mini doesn't seem to have nitrate. I wnat whatever I buy to measure nitrate so I can get an idea of whether I am feeding my fish the optimum amount of food for the plants I have. May just buy the mini and get a nitrate seperately.

vb, I know this had nitrate because he read it from his brochure, will get the name and post it

Les, I was told today that "Hay U Pet Supplies" in Bris stocks Ridley pellets

thanks Jaymie, I'll look them up - its not urgent yet cause I got no fish but good to know before panic sets in

That's where I got mine from Jaymie.

Nitrate is the least important to measure, but curiosity will get the better of you. It did for me

seriously though it will be the least used test kit. I think i've used mine 6 times? and it does 90 tests!

I'm not sure on these trout pellets.............indoor fish are being very picky....and the feed is VERY oily, leave a film on the water surface for hours..........is still there the next day if the fish have not eaten the food

lucky i only bought 10 kg

Some vitamin C will help Steve. C will break down the fat a bit and provide antioxidants should there be any rancidity.

Use a sugarfree version crush it up let it oxidise in some water then add at a point it will get well mixed. Will cloud water slightly then go away.

The bio-film may jump around and cause grief with simple sugars (can also be fed but that's more research I've not even started yet) that's why I suggest sugar free.

Les,

My test kits are from the local aquariums. I got my Ammonia one from Morayfield and Nitrite and Nitrate ones from Caboolture. http://www.aquariumpharm.com made the Nitrite and Nitrate kits. They were all under $20 cant remember the exact cost.

Very good AA. any idea of mg per 100 lts?

Most vit C tabs range from 500 to 1000mg.

1 mg per litre would be fine. Frequency? No idea. When the waters oily...

Being acid it might pay to see what it does to pH. I'm guessing very little after it's used in the system.

Ascorbic acid is commonly found in fishfoods as an antioxidant, and is sold as a fish tonic.