Carbonate Buildup on Media - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T11:35:18Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/carbonate-buildup-on-media?feed=yes&xn_auth=noPH should naturally fall in a…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-10:4778851:Comment:5995502015-03-10T17:06:36.203ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>PH should naturally fall in an aquaponics system due to nitrification. Generally, it's necessary to raise PH, not lower it so something in your system is abnormally affecting your PH. If you search Vlad's topics, you'll find one on a bad batch of hydroton. Perhaps the media is the cause of your PH problem. </p>
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<p>Normally, a media bed has a dry layer on top, two inches or so. If you have such a dry layer, then you shouldn't also have white crusty stuff on the media…</p>
<p>PH should naturally fall in an aquaponics system due to nitrification. Generally, it's necessary to raise PH, not lower it so something in your system is abnormally affecting your PH. If you search Vlad's topics, you'll find one on a bad batch of hydroton. Perhaps the media is the cause of your PH problem. </p>
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<p>Normally, a media bed has a dry layer on top, two inches or so. If you have such a dry layer, then you shouldn't also have white crusty stuff on the media surface.</p>
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<p></p> Someone correct me if I'm wro…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-10:4778851:Comment:5995002015-03-10T17:00:45.466ZGeorgehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Geoge
<p>Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe vinegar kills bacteria, which you don't want in an aquaponics system. <br/> <br/> <cite>Brent Shafer said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/carbonate-buildup-on-media#4778851Comment599158"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p> I add white vinegar to the GBs to lower pH. </p>
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<p>Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe vinegar kills bacteria, which you don't want in an aquaponics system. <br/> <br/> <cite>Brent Shafer said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/carbonate-buildup-on-media#4778851Comment599158"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p> I add white vinegar to the GBs to lower pH. </p>
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</blockquote> White vinegar really? Interes…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-08:4778851:Comment:5993842015-03-08T23:41:10.450ZArwen Vaughanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ArwenVaughan
<p>White vinegar really? Interesting. My system is a 275 gallon IBC tote system. So, it is roughly a 4 x 4 foot grow bed with about 200 gallons of water in the fish tank.</p>
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<p>My water stays around 70 degrees, 7.6 pH, 20 Calcium hardness, 0 amonia, 0 nitrite, and off the scale nitrates. That is all the metrics I take regularly. The system has been running for around 3 years straight.</p>
<p>White vinegar really? Interesting. My system is a 275 gallon IBC tote system. So, it is roughly a 4 x 4 foot grow bed with about 200 gallons of water in the fish tank.</p>
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<p>My water stays around 70 degrees, 7.6 pH, 20 Calcium hardness, 0 amonia, 0 nitrite, and off the scale nitrates. That is all the metrics I take regularly. The system has been running for around 3 years straight.</p> 7.6 pH is not horrible : ) I…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-07:4778851:Comment:5991582015-03-07T16:19:12.626ZBrent Shaferhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BrentShafer
<p>7.6 pH is not horrible : ) I add white vinegar to the GBs to lower pH. But I would need to know the size of your system to recommend the dosage? And if you could share your other water test results it may point to something.</p>
<p>7.6 pH is not horrible : ) I add white vinegar to the GBs to lower pH. But I would need to know the size of your system to recommend the dosage? And if you could share your other water test results it may point to something.</p> Thanks for the post. I just b…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-07:4778851:Comment:5993462015-03-07T15:42:10.553ZArwen Vaughanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ArwenVaughan
<p>Thanks for the post. I just been removing the media with calcium carbonate crusted on it. I don't know how to remove it effectively, so it is just sitting in 5 gallon buckets. My water is not inline and the pH is too high (7.6) normally. I am trying to figure out how to get it down into the slightly below 7 sweet spot. I stopped adding calcium months ago, but still not happening. Thanks for the comments though. I'll let you know how it goes over time.</p>
<p>Thanks for the post. I just been removing the media with calcium carbonate crusted on it. I don't know how to remove it effectively, so it is just sitting in 5 gallon buckets. My water is not inline and the pH is too high (7.6) normally. I am trying to figure out how to get it down into the slightly below 7 sweet spot. I stopped adding calcium months ago, but still not happening. Thanks for the comments though. I'll let you know how it goes over time.</p> I have some on my media, but…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-07:4778851:Comment:5991442015-03-07T00:44:17.374ZBrent Shaferhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BrentShafer
<p>I have some on my media, but i dont worry about it. </p>
<p>The water test kit shows in line with where I want to be. If you are "digging" in your beds are you cleaning them out and letting them re-cycle? how big are your beds and FT?</p>
<p>I have some on my media, but i dont worry about it. </p>
<p>The water test kit shows in line with where I want to be. If you are "digging" in your beds are you cleaning them out and letting them re-cycle? how big are your beds and FT?</p>