A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

My first test

Here are my first test results.....
ph 7.8 alk 120 very hard 300 nitrite 0 nitrate 20 ....please any advice?

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Permalink Reply by George on March 17, 2015 at 7:18pm

ammonia?

Ammonia and Nitrite levels should be less than .75 ppm

See Rules of Thumb

If ammonia and nitrite are both low and fish are being fed, then your system is cycled. The presence of nitrate is a good indicator that cycling is progressing. If ammonia and/or nitrite tests higher than .75, then I suggest that you stop feeding until levels fall. Once completely cycled, you can determine appropriate feeding rates. Try to use a quality fish food to ensure that you're providing good nutrients to the plants, not cheap aquarium food.

Be aware that it takes months for a system to mature so best results aren't seen initially.

Small systems are generally considered to be more difficult to stabilize.

Indoor systems may have challenges different from outdoor systems - I don't have any experience with indoor systems.

good luck

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Permalink Reply by Zach on March 17, 2015 at 8:26pm

which one is nitrite ?

I am using flakes, is the pellet better?

got mine at petsmart where did you get yours? do you have a name?

what do each reading mean?

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Permalink Reply by George on March 18, 2015 at 8:35am

http://theaquaponicsource.com/product-category/educate-yourself/aqu...

You can learn a lot by reading the forum here and other forums on the internet, or buy a book and read it, take a course, etc. Everything you need to know has been discussed in these forums. Rules of thumb is a good place to start. The SHOP tab on this site is a source for fish food and there are many others. The flakes you are using are generally considered to be the worst choice for aquaponics.