Ammonia - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T16:30:24Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/ammonia?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A398154&feed=yes&xn_auth=noDuckweed can use up quite a l…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-05:4778851:Comment:3985182012-10-05T01:06:18.447ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Duckweed can use up quite a lot of ammonia under the right conditions.</p>
<p>However, if you are worried about bio-security, live duckweed is a rather effective way to introduce all sorts of things into a system so you do it at your own risk.</p>
<p>Once you introduce duckweed, it might be difficult to get rid of if it doesn't work well for your situation. It is a weed, so that means it will tend to grow where you don't want it. My experience is that duckweed tends to only grow well when…</p>
<p>Duckweed can use up quite a lot of ammonia under the right conditions.</p>
<p>However, if you are worried about bio-security, live duckweed is a rather effective way to introduce all sorts of things into a system so you do it at your own risk.</p>
<p>Once you introduce duckweed, it might be difficult to get rid of if it doesn't work well for your situation. It is a weed, so that means it will tend to grow where you don't want it. My experience is that duckweed tends to only grow well when you aren't really trying to grow it. I suppose you would have to call it something else if you really want to cultivate it.</p>
<p>That said, I like diversity in my systems.</p>
<p></p> Deckweed will... by preferenc…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3979932012-10-04T19:41:26.027ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
<p>Deckweed will... by preference... grow directly on ammonia...</p>
<p>If you have fish in your system... and an ammonia reading of 4... then inevitably, and imminently... you'll have a nitrite reading of probably 2...</p>
<p>Salt your system to 1ppt.. to mitigate against nitrite toxicity...</p>
<p>Deckweed will... by preference... grow directly on ammonia...</p>
<p>If you have fish in your system... and an ammonia reading of 4... then inevitably, and imminently... you'll have a nitrite reading of probably 2...</p>
<p>Salt your system to 1ppt.. to mitigate against nitrite toxicity...</p> I guess I need to explain cle…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3981792012-10-04T16:59:58.628ZJohn Cubithttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JohnCubit
<p>I guess I need to explain clearer. My apologies Chip.I guess even with careful controls, and without a sterile environment I probably still would be hesitant with my past experience. I might consider maybe making a media setup area, fish free just for getting bacteria established on the media. Currently outside of ammonia issues I have now inevertently introduced Potato Aphids to my system and spent a good deal of time last night using a q-tip to clean aphids off of my plants (fed them…</p>
<p>I guess I need to explain clearer. My apologies Chip.I guess even with careful controls, and without a sterile environment I probably still would be hesitant with my past experience. I might consider maybe making a media setup area, fish free just for getting bacteria established on the media. Currently outside of ammonia issues I have now inevertently introduced Potato Aphids to my system and spent a good deal of time last night using a q-tip to clean aphids off of my plants (fed them to the fish) and that was all due to a cutting that had a blossom open that had larvae on it. I should have clipped it. Shoulda woulda coulda.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I do have a new question though, has anyone had experience with duckweed to reduce the ammonia levels in a tank? I have been given about a pound of duckweed to feed the fish and I know they may gobble it all up but I was thinking if I put in filter assembly without the charcoal and fill it with duckweed would that help filter the ammonia?</p>
<p>Currently my ammonia is at 4, pH 7.4 Temp 77.4 Nitrite .25 and Nitrate 2. The fish are currently on a spinach diet once a day and the occasional aphid.lol.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I know in the hatchery tanks we used at work we had plants in the bottom to mimic the natural habitat for some of the fish we raised (like gar and pike) we noted a def. decrease of ammonia once the plant beds were developed, of course these were aquatic plants. I don't want to bother if this is going to rob the grow bed of it's nutrients.</p> Hi John,
Sorry, I misunderst…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3979702012-10-04T03:26:20.384ZChip Pilkingtonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChipPilkington
Hi John,<br />
<br />
Sorry, I misunderstood you, thinking the filter material came from a fish farm.<br />
<br />
Regardless, your concerns are both valid and proved out by your personal experience.<br />
<br />
I was hesitant to discuss the filter sharing concept, though I'm sure most of the experienced folks have either discussed it, practiced it or chose not to.<br />
<br />
Good luck with your system and also with your Hot Sauce business - we LOVE spicy food here in Thailand! I spent several years down in the four-corners region where I…
Hi John,<br />
<br />
Sorry, I misunderstood you, thinking the filter material came from a fish farm.<br />
<br />
Regardless, your concerns are both valid and proved out by your personal experience.<br />
<br />
I was hesitant to discuss the filter sharing concept, though I'm sure most of the experienced folks have either discussed it, practiced it or chose not to.<br />
<br />
Good luck with your system and also with your Hot Sauce business - we LOVE spicy food here in Thailand! I spent several years down in the four-corners region where I became quite addicted to both Green Chile and good hot sauce. Let me be a little more clear…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3979692012-10-04T03:08:27.636ZJohn Cubithttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JohnCubit
<p>Let me be a little more clearer.</p>
<p>I have seen a person who does Aquaponics do that. They as a swirl filter off the bed to a sump. In the bottom of the filter was a sponge. He took that sponge to each new grow bed and placed it under the water feed line to the bed so it would "clean off" into the bed.</p>
<p>I have had others offer biofilters to me to get started and I know about cross contamination as we took a filter from one tank on our Salmon and placed it in a starter tank to…</p>
<p>Let me be a little more clearer.</p>
<p>I have seen a person who does Aquaponics do that. They as a swirl filter off the bed to a sump. In the bottom of the filter was a sponge. He took that sponge to each new grow bed and placed it under the water feed line to the bed so it would "clean off" into the bed.</p>
<p>I have had others offer biofilters to me to get started and I know about cross contamination as we took a filter from one tank on our Salmon and placed it in a starter tank to get the grow bed running ( we grew plants in the bottom of our tanks) and it introduced a pathogen that killed about 1/4 of the tanks Char once we added the fish.</p>
<p>As for a farm I do not own one, I worked at one and if you would like to see pictures please visit the SUNY Cobleskill website. I currently own a cottage industry hot sauce company. I left aquaculture back in 2001.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Chip Pilkington said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ammonia?xg_source=activity&id=4778851%3ATopic%3A330971&page=3#4778851Comment397968"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">Relax big guy. Absolutely nothing I have said was meant to offend you. I do think it's interesting that you are getting so sensitive over the discussion.<br/> <br/> First, you are not the only "Aquaculture" guru on the block. Here in Asia, there are fish farms on every corner. Not only have I toured dozens of facilities and commercial operations (some good, many quite bad)and purchased fish from some of these farmers, my in-laws farm both Tilapia (Blah Nin) and eel-tailed catfish (Blah Duk). Let me also say that claiming fish farming and AP are no different is a HUGE exageration. Outside of fish and H2O, there are few similarities in what and how things happen. Water management, waste management, circulation, environmental factors, etc, etc, etc, differ greatly with our fun little hobby. It would be interesting to see pic of your farm....<br/> <br/> Back to the original point, exposing a closed AP system to who-knows-what's in the fish farm environment would be a very risky practice, which you wisely chose to avoid. I think we are on the same page here. One of the big selling points of AP is you remove all of those potential organisms and contaminants, right?<br/> <br/> Anyway, I'm sorry you took my well intended post personally, I meant no offense.</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Relax big guy. Absolutely not…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3979682012-10-04T02:44:49.771ZChip Pilkingtonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChipPilkington
Relax big guy. Absolutely nothing I have said was meant to offend you. I do think it's interesting that you are getting so sensitive over the discussion.<br />
<br />
First, you are not the only "Aquaculture" guru on the block. Here in Asia, there are fish farms on every corner. Not only have I toured dozens of facilities and commercial operations (some good, many quite bad)and purchased fish from some of these farmers, my in-laws farm both Tilapia (Blah Nin) and eel-tailed catfish (Blah Duk). Let me also…
Relax big guy. Absolutely nothing I have said was meant to offend you. I do think it's interesting that you are getting so sensitive over the discussion.<br />
<br />
First, you are not the only "Aquaculture" guru on the block. Here in Asia, there are fish farms on every corner. Not only have I toured dozens of facilities and commercial operations (some good, many quite bad)and purchased fish from some of these farmers, my in-laws farm both Tilapia (Blah Nin) and eel-tailed catfish (Blah Duk). Let me also say that claiming fish farming and AP are no different is a HUGE exageration. Outside of fish and H2O, there are few similarities in what and how things happen. Water management, waste management, circulation, environmental factors, etc, etc, etc, differ greatly with our fun little hobby. It would be interesting to see pic of your farm....<br />
<br />
Back to the original point, exposing a closed AP system to who-knows-what's in the fish farm environment would be a very risky practice, which you wisely chose to avoid. I think we are on the same page here. One of the big selling points of AP is you remove all of those potential organisms and contaminants, right?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm sorry you took my well intended post personally, I meant no offense. Sorry again, another partial…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3979642012-10-04T02:21:42.406ZJohn Cubithttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JohnCubit
<p>Sorry again, another partial reader. I forgot that aquaponics was the marrying of aquaculture ( what I did for a living and have a master degree in) and hydroponics ( what my neighbor does to grow those strange smelling plants) Exception being here was we took our tank waste, solids water and they were use to fertilize fields. HD fish farming is no different than Packing a tank with Tilapia, the difference is collection of the waste and what is done with it. Did not realize you ever…</p>
<p>Sorry again, another partial reader. I forgot that aquaponics was the marrying of aquaculture ( what I did for a living and have a master degree in) and hydroponics ( what my neighbor does to grow those strange smelling plants) Exception being here was we took our tank waste, solids water and they were use to fertilize fields. HD fish farming is no different than Packing a tank with Tilapia, the difference is collection of the waste and what is done with it. Did not realize you ever inspected the farm or my aquaculture facilities in college. And yes I have freaking goldfish and my ammonia is too high and ph is 8 and Nitrites are 0, Nitrates are 2, my cuttings are rooting and seeds are sprouting and it has been running for 7 weeks total.</p>
<p>Again my apologies for opening my freaking mouth!<br/> <br/> <cite>Chip Pilkington said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ammonia?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A398158&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment398158"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Hi John,</p>
<p>We're talking about two different animals here - I'm talking about using my own, well maintained and controlled system components. You are talking about a fish farm. The risk would be quite high I would guess. Apples to oranges.</p>
<p>I began a variation on this practice 30-some years ago when cycling large aquariums. I certainly didn't invent the practice, but I was one of many who would move gravel from a mature tank to a new one to aid in the cycling process.</p>
<p>In an AP context, this can be done with an external filter (you all use them, right?), a GB (when I started my second system, I swapped a GB from the old to the new) or I've heard discussion on PAP of people sharing filter media.</p>
<p>Once again, caution, discretion and this may not be for you. I just wanted to qualify my previous comments as to NOT being able to speed the process a little. I have established systems, so I do not need to look outside. If you had a friend who managed their systems well, it MIGHT be something to consider.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Hi John,
We're talking about…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3981582012-10-04T01:58:26.454ZChip Pilkingtonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChipPilkington
<p>Hi John,</p>
<p>We're talking about two different animals here - I'm talking about using my own, well maintained and controlled system components. You are talking about a fish farm. The risk would be quite high I would guess. Apples to oranges.</p>
<p>I began a variation on this practice 30-some years ago when cycling large aquariums. I certainly didn't invent the practice, but I was one of many who would move gravel from a mature tank to a new one to aid in the cycling process.</p>
<p>In an…</p>
<p>Hi John,</p>
<p>We're talking about two different animals here - I'm talking about using my own, well maintained and controlled system components. You are talking about a fish farm. The risk would be quite high I would guess. Apples to oranges.</p>
<p>I began a variation on this practice 30-some years ago when cycling large aquariums. I certainly didn't invent the practice, but I was one of many who would move gravel from a mature tank to a new one to aid in the cycling process.</p>
<p>In an AP context, this can be done with an external filter (you all use them, right?), a GB (when I started my second system, I swapped a GB from the old to the new) or I've heard discussion on PAP of people sharing filter media.</p>
<p>Once again, caution, discretion and this may not be for you. I just wanted to qualify my previous comments as to NOT being able to speed the process a little. I have established systems, so I do not need to look outside. If you had a friend who managed their systems well, it MIGHT be something to consider.</p> I have seen someone else do t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3981542012-10-04T01:21:22.195ZJohn Cubithttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JohnCubit
<p>I have seen someone else do that. They placed it directly under the water line so it would "clean off" into the bed. I had someone offer their bio-filter to me before and know what can happen on a fish farm doing that, I choose not to do that.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Chip Pilkington said:…</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ammonia?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A398087&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment398087"></blockquote>
<p>I have seen someone else do that. They placed it directly under the water line so it would "clean off" into the bed. I had someone offer their bio-filter to me before and know what can happen on a fish farm doing that, I choose not to do that.<br/> <br/> <cite>Chip Pilkington said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/ammonia?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A398087&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment398087"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">There is an acceptable practice (if careful and absolutely sure as to safe conditions) that can bump the cycling process along. It may have been mentioned - sorry if I missed it.<br/> <br/> I have a small, portable filter (about 75L) that normally stay attached to my tiled koi pond. This is semi-indoor, very clean and controlled. When cycling, I will remove the filter from the pond and install it temporarily on the new system. I will also introduce some pond water (clean, clear). I have done this a number of times with no adverse effects. Once again, it's a very controlled environment.<br/> <br/> I don't necessarily recommend the practice, but it is a valid way to speed things up a little. I'm talking days or maybe a week or so. There is absolutely some risk involved, should your source water contain a virus, pathogen or whatever. But, it is much more effective than the bottled bacteria folks try from the aquarium shops, etc. Testing, testing, testing goes without saying, as well as patience as this only speeds things up a little. Nature still has to run it's course and find the balance with the variables in play (fish, surface area for bacteria, water temps, feeding practices, etc, etc).<br/> <br/> Hope this doesn't convolute the thread....</div>
</div>
</blockquote> There is an acceptable practi…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-10-04:4778851:Comment:3980872012-10-04T00:49:37.819ZChip Pilkingtonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChipPilkington
There is an acceptable practice (if careful and absolutely sure as to safe conditions) that can bump the cycling process along. It may have been mentioned - sorry if I missed it.<br />
<br />
I have a small, portable filter (about 75L) that normally stay attached to my tiled koi pond. This is semi-indoor, very clean and controlled. When cycling, I will remove the filter from the pond and install it temporarily on the new system. I will also introduce some pond water (clean, clear). I have done this a…
There is an acceptable practice (if careful and absolutely sure as to safe conditions) that can bump the cycling process along. It may have been mentioned - sorry if I missed it.<br />
<br />
I have a small, portable filter (about 75L) that normally stay attached to my tiled koi pond. This is semi-indoor, very clean and controlled. When cycling, I will remove the filter from the pond and install it temporarily on the new system. I will also introduce some pond water (clean, clear). I have done this a number of times with no adverse effects. Once again, it's a very controlled environment.<br />
<br />
I don't necessarily recommend the practice, but it is a valid way to speed things up a little. I'm talking days or maybe a week or so. There is absolutely some risk involved, should your source water contain a virus, pathogen or whatever. But, it is much more effective than the bottled bacteria folks try from the aquarium shops, etc. Testing, testing, testing goes without saying, as well as patience as this only speeds things up a little. Nature still has to run it's course and find the balance with the variables in play (fish, surface area for bacteria, water temps, feeding practices, etc, etc).<br />
<br />
Hope this doesn't convolute the thread....