Nitrification - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T11:17:28Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/nitrification-1?groupUrl=arizona-aquaponics&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A395373&groupId=4778851%3AGroup%3A253996&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks for responding. I will…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-09-24:4778851:Comment:3953732012-09-24T17:47:53.317ZRobert Rowehttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RobertCRoweBob
<p>Thanks for responding. I will get my arms around this.</p>
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>RupertofOZ said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/nitrification-1?groupUrl=arizona-aquaponics&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A395261&xg_source=msg_com_gr_forum#4778851Comment395261"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><blockquote><br></br>1. Does the API Freshwater Test Kit measure free or combined Nitrates?</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Robert, I think you might be…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks for responding. I will get my arms around this.</p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>RupertofOZ said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/nitrification-1?groupUrl=arizona-aquaponics&commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A395261&xg_source=msg_com_gr_forum#4778851Comment395261"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><blockquote><br/>1. Does the API Freshwater Test Kit measure free or combined Nitrates?</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Robert, I think you might be confusing Nitrates with Ammonia... which can be measured as "free" ammonia, or "Total Ammonia Nitrogen"... referred to as TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The API ammonia test.... measures TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>When the test indicates 0 nitrates, is this a good thing, or does it indicate that we no longer have adequete nitrates to support the plant load, or is that part of the unknowns re combined ions.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure what you mean by "part of the unknowns re combined ions"....</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>My own limited experiance has shown that upon reaching high level nitrates and adding a plant load, the nitrate levels have been slowly decreasing though still >0. I would conclude that a nitrate level of zero in a cycled system, would indicate excessive plant load.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>A nitrate level of zero is not uncommon in a mature and balanced system... and doesn't necessarily indicate an inadequacy of nitrate provision to the plants...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nitrates are continually being produced within the system... and a zero level may just mean that the plants are consuming all that is available...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Slowed plant growth, or signs of Nitrogen deficiency... would indicate insufficient nitrate availability...probably suggesting the need for additional fish...</p>
<p>But this is almost never the case... (usually most people have too many fish... <a rel="nofollow" style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a>)</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>2. I have encountered no information regarding upper limits on nitrate levels until today when I referred to "Wiki Nitrates, which indicates that nitrates > 30 PPM is toxic to marine life.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Levels of 30ppm are often quoted in references to marine aquaria systems.. for ornamental fish and corals...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But the lowest reported aquacultural references to nitrate toxicity for freshwater fish are 450ppm ... for blugill...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With most other fish having level up to, and beyond 1000ppm...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The "fry" of some species, particularly trout.... are more susceptible.. and prolonged levels above 30-100ppm are not recommended..</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> 1. Does the API Freshwater Te…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-09-24:4778851:Comment:3952612012-09-24T17:07:47.461ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
<blockquote><br></br>1. Does the API Freshwater Test Kit measure free or combined Nitrates?</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Robert, I think you might be confusing Nitrates with Ammonia... which can be measured as "free" ammonia, or "Total Ammonia Nitrogen"... referred to as TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The API ammonia test.... measures TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>When the test indicates 0 nitrates, is this a good thing, or does it indicate that we no longer have adequete nitrates to support the plant load,…</blockquote>
<blockquote><br/>1. Does the API Freshwater Test Kit measure free or combined Nitrates?</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Robert, I think you might be confusing Nitrates with Ammonia... which can be measured as "free" ammonia, or "Total Ammonia Nitrogen"... referred to as TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The API ammonia test.... measures TAN...</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>When the test indicates 0 nitrates, is this a good thing, or does it indicate that we no longer have adequete nitrates to support the plant load, or is that part of the unknowns re combined ions.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure what you mean by "part of the unknowns re combined ions"....</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>My own limited experiance has shown that upon reaching high level nitrates and adding a plant load, the nitrate levels have been slowly decreasing though still >0. I would conclude that a nitrate level of zero in a cycled system, would indicate excessive plant load.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>A nitrate level of zero is not uncommon in a mature and balanced system... and doesn't necessarily indicate an inadequacy of nitrate provision to the plants...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nitrates are continually being produced within the system... and a zero level may just mean that the plants are consuming all that is available...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Slowed plant growth, or signs of Nitrogen deficiency... would indicate insufficient nitrate availability...probably suggesting the need for additional fish...</p>
<p>But this is almost never the case... (usually most people have too many fish... <a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Grin.gif"/></a>)</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote>2. I have encountered no information regarding upper limits on nitrate levels until today when I referred to "Wiki Nitrates, which indicates that nitrates > 30 PPM is toxic to marine life.</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Levels of 30ppm are often quoted in references to marine aquaria systems.. for ornamental fish and corals...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But the lowest reported aquacultural references to nitrate toxicity for freshwater fish are 450ppm ... for blugill...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With most other fish having level up to, and beyond 1000ppm...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The "fry" of some species, particularly trout.... are more susceptible.. and prolonged levels above 30-100ppm are not recommended..</p>