All Discussions Tagged 'PH' - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T09:29:37Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=PH&feed=yes&xn_auth=noFishless cyclingtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-07-13:4778851:Topic:5710352014-07-13T23:08:37.356ZG. Michael Maynardhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GMichaelMaynard
<p>Greetings All, I have been doing a fishless cycle on my IBC system for the last 13 days. Ammonia came down, nitrites went way up and I started seeing a bit of nitrates. Today I checked my water. All are down to ZERO.</p>
<p>Not really sure what happened. Anybody have an idea? I did use PH up to bring the PH back up from 6.0. Hasn't bothered it before.</p>
<p>Greetings All, I have been doing a fishless cycle on my IBC system for the last 13 days. Ammonia came down, nitrites went way up and I started seeing a bit of nitrates. Today I checked my water. All are down to ZERO.</p>
<p>Not really sure what happened. Anybody have an idea? I did use PH up to bring the PH back up from 6.0. Hasn't bothered it before.</p> PH, Algae, Plant Observationstag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-06-23:4778851:Topic:5685142014-06-23T01:54:27.102ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>I have an IBC with hundreds of fish and 2- 45 gallon aquariums with grow beds. My IBC runs like clockwork with the only issue (which I leave alone) of PH around 7.4. The veggies in the GB grow fine but some of them do better in my dirt garden. The Kale is lighter green and started to seem dry in the GB while in the garden it flourishes a nice dark green. Strawberries aren't producing. Got 5 or 6 berries early but none since. I planted cyan pepper seedlings in my GB and garden at the same…</p>
<p>I have an IBC with hundreds of fish and 2- 45 gallon aquariums with grow beds. My IBC runs like clockwork with the only issue (which I leave alone) of PH around 7.4. The veggies in the GB grow fine but some of them do better in my dirt garden. The Kale is lighter green and started to seem dry in the GB while in the garden it flourishes a nice dark green. Strawberries aren't producing. Got 5 or 6 berries early but none since. I planted cyan pepper seedlings in my GB and garden at the same time and the garden already has 4" peppers on them while the GB has none.</p>
<p>Both my aquariums suffer continuous low PH.... I'm talking 4-4.5. I've added a potassium hydroxide and hydrated lime solution gradually but it never got to a good level. I'm trying something that might be radical now. I have a duckweed bed that I'm going to move. The water in the bed all came from my IBC and now has algae and a PH of 10. I was going to dump it but I've started doing water changes to the aquariums using this water in hopes of raising the PH. I've been doing this for a couple of days now.</p>
<p>Through all of this I haven't lost any fish. I have all Tilapia except for 7 large goldies in one of the aquariums.</p>
<p>I'm looking for thoughts and/or suggestions.</p> Raising Carbonates without raising PHtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-06-10:4778851:Topic:5672162014-06-10T01:03:18.884ZRichard Kowalskihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RichardKowalski141
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am just starting my flood and drain system. My system cycled, and I added some gold fish to start with. My PH was 6.8. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 40, KH 0.</p>
<p>I am amazed at how fast my plants are growing in the grow beds compared to my soil garden.</p>
<p>I added enough Potasium Bicarbonate to raise KH to 4. But now the PH is 8.</p>
<p>How do the experienced Aquapons keep the PH and Carbonates at an acceptable level without raising your PH every time you adjust…</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am just starting my flood and drain system. My system cycled, and I added some gold fish to start with. My PH was 6.8. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 40, KH 0.</p>
<p>I am amazed at how fast my plants are growing in the grow beds compared to my soil garden.</p>
<p>I added enough Potasium Bicarbonate to raise KH to 4. But now the PH is 8.</p>
<p>How do the experienced Aquapons keep the PH and Carbonates at an acceptable level without raising your PH every time you adjust KH?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Rich K</p> Can my media type be the issue why I'm having trouble with a high PHtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-09-09:4778851:Topic:5150202013-09-09T05:13:17.930ZJimmy Bellhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JimmyBell
My PH stays around the 7.8 to 8.0. The media that is in the bed is limestone in one bed and large gravel in the other. Which I believe is causing my plants to not produce fruit as well as they should. It seams that with my cucumbers they start to grow then turn yellow and die. I have used PH down to try and lower it but I'm concerned that this stuff is not good for my system. My questions are<br />
<br />
1. Does anyone feel that my assumption is correct that my plants are not producing as they should do…
My PH stays around the 7.8 to 8.0. The media that is in the bed is limestone in one bed and large gravel in the other. Which I believe is causing my plants to not produce fruit as well as they should. It seams that with my cucumbers they start to grow then turn yellow and die. I have used PH down to try and lower it but I'm concerned that this stuff is not good for my system. My questions are<br />
<br />
1. Does anyone feel that my assumption is correct that my plants are not producing as they should do to the PH being to high?<br />
<br />
2. Should I stop using PH down?<br />
<br />
3. Is it possible that my media is the cause of the high levels of PH?<br />
<br />
4. Should I keep adding this stuff until the PH level is where it needs to be.<br />
<br />
Thanks for any advice you can offer. PH Help.tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-08-07:4778851:Topic:5019172013-08-07T01:45:30.532ZNoa Villelahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/NoaVillela
<p>Ok, I am on a water well with hard water. My PH is 8.4. I have cycled my (extremely) small system with a fish and everything seems healthy. Fishy is eating well, ammonia, nitrite, nitrates are all good, and my plants appear to be doing well. Should I be slowly lowering the PH, and if so which way is best? I'm tempted to dilute vinegar and slowly add it but that seems a tad rash. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>Ok, I am on a water well with hard water. My PH is 8.4. I have cycled my (extremely) small system with a fish and everything seems healthy. Fishy is eating well, ammonia, nitrite, nitrates are all good, and my plants appear to be doing well. Should I be slowly lowering the PH, and if so which way is best? I'm tempted to dilute vinegar and slowly add it but that seems a tad rash. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. </p> First System: Recycled and Aesthetictag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-11-29:4778851:Topic:4194492012-11-29T01:33:06.130ZGuru Das C Bockhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/GuruDasCBock
<p>I have been running this new system for 3 months and all is going well. This system is made of recycled materials and hosts 11 koi fish and 1 plecostomus. The fish tank holds 180 gallons and the medium for the grow bed is locally sourced creek-bed gravel.</p>
<p><br></br>This is my first system ever and it took me a lot of research and imagination to figure out the right design. The method I chose is a continuous flow through the gravel with a single standpipe. The water exits the bed and…</p>
<p>I have been running this new system for 3 months and all is going well. This system is made of recycled materials and hosts 11 koi fish and 1 plecostomus. The fish tank holds 180 gallons and the medium for the grow bed is locally sourced creek-bed gravel.</p>
<p><br/>This is my first system ever and it took me a lot of research and imagination to figure out the right design. The method I chose is a continuous flow through the gravel with a single standpipe. The water exits the bed and splashes back into the fish tank below for aeration. No problems so far. We have gathered a surplus of melons okra beans corn tomatoes and tobacco.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As we live in the Sonoran Desert, temperatures may be extreme. That is why i chose a continuous flow system with a simple standpipe overflow. Electricity is consumed by a single pump which fills the gravel bed and aerates the fish tank at the same time. The fish tank is submerged in the ground for thermal mass and to slow any extreme temperature changes. It is not uncommon for the temperatures here to vary 40 degrees F from day to night. Also the fish tank is covered by the gravel bed and lumber box to prevent evaporative losses in the 100+ degree F summer temp. Everything transplanted so far has survived and thrived. Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate levels are always close to zero. The PH is just above 7. And average water temp is 70 deg. F. I have placed an old wrench found in the desert directly in the gravel bed as a source of iron. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Please feel free to reply with any comments suggestions.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://1144s7thave.tumblr.com/post/33142602183/the-evolution-of-our-first-aquaponics-system-it#notes" target="_blank">http://1144s7thave.tumblr.com/post/33142602183/the-evolution-of-our-first-aquaponics-system-it#notes</a></p> Testing for Iron, Magnesium and Calciumtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-07-18:4778851:Topic:3702002012-07-18T19:28:26.709ZBrandon nardoiannihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Brandonnardoianni
<p>Hello all. I don't know if I am over anylizing my water but I am in the middle of a fishless cycle (about 1 week into it) and my plants are yellowing pretty fast. I have tests for Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Chlorine, and have a DO (Disolved oxygen) test, and salinity test.</p>
<p>Right now these are my levels:</p>
<p>PH - 7.4<br></br>Ammonia - 3-4 (due to adding it to start the cycling process<br></br>Nitrates - 0<br></br>Nitrites - 0<br></br>Chlorine - 0 ( Thanks to TClynx's advice on sodium…</p>
<p>Hello all. I don't know if I am over anylizing my water but I am in the middle of a fishless cycle (about 1 week into it) and my plants are yellowing pretty fast. I have tests for Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, Total Chlorine, and have a DO (Disolved oxygen) test, and salinity test.</p>
<p>Right now these are my levels:</p>
<p>PH - 7.4<br/>Ammonia - 3-4 (due to adding it to start the cycling process<br/>Nitrates - 0<br/>Nitrites - 0<br/>Chlorine - 0 ( Thanks to TClynx's advice on sodium thiosulfate! :) )</p>
<p>These are the tests kits I have so far</p>
<p>Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B000255NCI">http://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B000255NCI</a></p>
<p>These two are being delivered right now so I dont have measurements</p>
<p>Dissolved Oxygen</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IR4EYQ/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IR4EYQ/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00</a></p>
<p>Salinity (not sure if this is the right type of test for AP water)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DO35EU/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DO35EU/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00</a></p>
<p>What are all of the things I should be testing for in my AP system to ensure I have the optimal conditions for fish and plant health/growth. Have I gone over board? If someone with some experience could lend me some advice I would really appreciate it!</p>
<p>I have a 1200 gallon system that is two 275 gallon fish tank IBC's and 5 100 gallon GB's (holds around 50 gallons each) and 4 connected bottom halves of IBC's that total a total volume of around 500 gallons give or take a few.</p>
<p>Here are the things I think I should be testing for from my research I have done so far and please by all means, Correct me if I am wrong. Also if someone could give the the correct level's of ppm for each for optimal fish growth, plant growth and overall health for the system. That would be AWESOME!</p>
<p>1. PH (I'm pretty sure this one is supposed to be between 6.7 and 7.4 Correct me if I'm wrong)</p>
<p>2. Ammonia (I know that this is supposed to be at zero once cycled)</p>
<p>3 Nitrates</p>
<p>4. Nitrites</p>
<p>5. Salinity</p>
<p>6. Iron (During cycling to ensure optimal plant health and growth)</p>
<p>7. Calcuim (During cycling to ensure optimal plant health and growth)</p>
<p>8. Magnesium (During cycling to ensure optimal plant health and growth)</p>
<p>9. Hardness? (not sure what this is but I have seen alot of people talking about it on the forums)</p>
<p>10. DO (Dissolved Oxygen for fish and plant health/growth)</p>
<p>Also if any of these are over or under what treatments, soulutions or additives do you reccomend on using. Currently I have used about a shot glass full of maxi crop in all 5 GB's and treated the chloramines with Sodium Thiosulfate.</p>
<p>Like I said if anyone could help me save some money by not wasting it on something I dont need that would be awesome.</p> Hello AGC from eastern Oregontag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-04-05:4778851:Topic:3162322012-04-05T15:48:43.822ZWayne Condithttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/WayneCondit
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656370678?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656370678?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656370678?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656370678?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p> Why does the PH go down?tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-03-11:4778851:Topic:3048422012-03-11T19:40:06.462ZTina Cresswellhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TinaCresswell
<p>Hi the PH in the Fish Tank dropped suddenly to 4.5. The temperature in the poly tunnel has suddenly gone up to a max of 28 c, and I removed one grow bed that had been covering the tank. Could it be as simple as more light and more heat? I have increased oxygen to try and counter it, and the surface has gone up to 7, but at the bottom it is still 4.5, so I think it is improving.</p>
<p>Hi the PH in the Fish Tank dropped suddenly to 4.5. The temperature in the poly tunnel has suddenly gone up to a max of 28 c, and I removed one grow bed that had been covering the tank. Could it be as simple as more light and more heat? I have increased oxygen to try and counter it, and the surface has gone up to 7, but at the bottom it is still 4.5, so I think it is improving.</p> Natural ways to bring down PHtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-02-16:4778851:Topic:2936922012-02-16T00:44:17.389ZAdam Garrett-Clarkhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AdamGarrettClark
<p>Hey Everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>Does Lemon juice work to reduce PH in a system?</p>
<p>I bought some rock wool to start some lettuce seeds and the back of the package said to use lemon juice to reduce the water ph to 5.5 to start the seeds. </p>
<p>I figured this would work in my system as well, which has been consistently coming up with a PH of 8.2, so I squeezed a few lemons into the system and tested the PH the next day and I noticed that the PH went down to 8. So I squeezed a bunch more…</p>
<p>Hey Everyone,</p>
<p></p>
<p>Does Lemon juice work to reduce PH in a system?</p>
<p>I bought some rock wool to start some lettuce seeds and the back of the package said to use lemon juice to reduce the water ph to 5.5 to start the seeds. </p>
<p>I figured this would work in my system as well, which has been consistently coming up with a PH of 8.2, so I squeezed a few lemons into the system and tested the PH the next day and I noticed that the PH went down to 8. So I squeezed a bunch more lemons in. I put about 12 lemons worth of juice into my barelponic system, about 55 gallons of water.</p>
<p>I think the answer to my question is no, because my I tested the levels today, and my PH is still at 8, and all my other levels are weak. I'm about 2 months into cycling my system. My amonia already spiked and was consistently reeding 0.25 ppm, now its at 0. My Nitrites were reading 5ppm now they are 2 ppm and my Nitrates which were at 40ppm are now at 0. Did I just kill all my bacteria? Is all this lemon juice bad for the fish? </p>
<p>I only have 2 gold fish that have survived the cycling. Should I add more fish? Should I change the water and start again? I have a lot of new growth in my grow beds right now. is the lemon juice bad for the plants?</p>