System cycling - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T07:35:03Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/system-cycling-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A574957&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAlex Veidel said:
Having yo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-08-15:4778851:Comment:5748762014-08-15T00:55:56.576ZCarol Grahamhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CarolGraham
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Alex Veidel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/system-cycling-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A575054&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment575054"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Having your ammonia at 2-4ppm means you're good to go. Any higher than that and I would do water changes (also, test your tap water for ammonia). If your water test is really dark, your levels might be off the chart so it takes a few…</p>
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<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Alex Veidel said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/system-cycling-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A575054&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment575054"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Having your ammonia at 2-4ppm means you're good to go. Any higher than that and I would do water changes (also, test your tap water for ammonia). If your water test is really dark, your levels might be off the chart so it takes a few extra water changes to get results to show up.</p>
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<p>Keeping your pH up to around 8.0 will speed your cycling process. You can keep using builders lime, or use something like potassium bicarbonate to simultaneously raise your KH levels.</p>
<p>Thanks Alex, I did order some potassium bicarbonate and am doing water changes. The ammonia was very high with the water test (8!) tho ph is closer to 6.8 almost 7 after today's water change. I'm hoping the ammonia comes down soon. I brought in plants to float in the tank from the koi pond I'm cycling outside fishless hoping they will help too. That cycling is going very well compared to stock tank indoors with the fish in it. As soon as koi pond is ready I can transfer some fish outdoors. Just gotta keep them alive until then! Thanks again for the input, everyone is so helpful, as I'm sure you've all been frustrated at some point with cycling. I trust it will work so I keep at it!</p>
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</blockquote> Having your ammonia at 2-4ppm…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-08-14:4778851:Comment:5750542014-08-14T17:34:04.175ZAlex Veidelhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/AlexVeidel
<p>Having your ammonia at 2-4ppm means you're good to go. Any higher than that and I would do water changes (also, test your tap water for ammonia). If your water test is really dark, your levels might be off the chart so it takes a few extra water changes to get results to show up.</p>
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<p>Keeping your pH up to around 8.0 will speed your cycling process. You can keep using builders lime, or use something like potassium bicarbonate to simultaneously raise your KH…</p>
<p>Having your ammonia at 2-4ppm means you're good to go. Any higher than that and I would do water changes (also, test your tap water for ammonia). If your water test is really dark, your levels might be off the chart so it takes a few extra water changes to get results to show up.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Keeping your pH up to around 8.0 will speed your cycling process. You can keep using builders lime, or use something like potassium bicarbonate to simultaneously raise your KH levels.</p>
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<p></p> I would keep changing out 10-…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-08-14:4778851:Comment:5749572014-08-14T14:40:35.164ZHank Palocihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/HankPaloci
I would keep changing out 10-15 gallons of water a day if nh4 is over 4 still. Fish might look healthy but that isn't good for them. Goldfish are pretty hardy but there are limits.<br />
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Be patient. It will happen. First you'll see a little bit of nitrites and then you'll know it's starting. Then after a few days nitrates will start to go up.
I would keep changing out 10-15 gallons of water a day if nh4 is over 4 still. Fish might look healthy but that isn't good for them. Goldfish are pretty hardy but there are limits.<br />
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Be patient. It will happen. First you'll see a little bit of nitrites and then you'll know it's starting. Then after a few days nitrates will start to go up. Thanks Hank, I did end up add…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-08-14:4778851:Comment:5750422014-08-14T12:03:53.412ZCarol Grahamhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CarolGraham
<p>Thanks Hank, I did end up adding baking soda and ammonia lock and it brought the ph up tho the ammoina levels are higher. I'm doing another water change today and added some rocks and water from a cycled aquarium I have that houses healthy goldfish and has a float with basil roots. It's frustrating tho I haven't lost any fish yet. They look surprisingly happy. It does seem that the water change raises the ph but after a couple days it's back down, how many water changes can I do safely?…</p>
<p>Thanks Hank, I did end up adding baking soda and ammonia lock and it brought the ph up tho the ammoina levels are higher. I'm doing another water change today and added some rocks and water from a cycled aquarium I have that houses healthy goldfish and has a float with basil roots. It's frustrating tho I haven't lost any fish yet. They look surprisingly happy. It does seem that the water change raises the ph but after a couple days it's back down, how many water changes can I do safely? And is 30 % ok or shall I change more? I appreciate this as I'm new and thirsty for knowledge and successful results with happy fish.</p>
<p></p> I've read some people say hig…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-08-14:4778851:Comment:5747882014-08-14T02:43:54.834ZHank Palocihttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/HankPaloci
<p>I've read some people say higher pH is more conducive to the growth of the nitrifying bacteria. I'd raise it slowly through water changes, which I think you'll see so the NH4 doesn't go higher.</p>
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<p>The bacteria should colonize on their own but if you're still having a problem maybe find someone who has a fish tank to give you a half cup of stones or a filter or water sample to get you going. Fish stores will do this for you too.</p>
<p>I've read some people say higher pH is more conducive to the growth of the nitrifying bacteria. I'd raise it slowly through water changes, which I think you'll see so the NH4 doesn't go higher.</p>
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<p>The bacteria should colonize on their own but if you're still having a problem maybe find someone who has a fish tank to give you a half cup of stones or a filter or water sample to get you going. Fish stores will do this for you too.</p>