Water levels - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T07:18:41Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19063&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noWe are concerned about the st…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190632010-10-28T15:38:48.000ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
We are concerned about the stocking levels for your tank. Ultimately you are looking for about a pound of fish for every 5 gallons of water or about 60 lbs of fish. You are at 52.5 lbs with the mature (1.5 lb) fish you have, and you have a young bio-filter so I would want you to stay there for a while...but you said you now have 120 fingerlings in there as well. If you harvest your mature fish you will get down into a stocking density range that is much easier to manage.
We are concerned about the stocking levels for your tank. Ultimately you are looking for about a pound of fish for every 5 gallons of water or about 60 lbs of fish. You are at 52.5 lbs with the mature (1.5 lb) fish you have, and you have a young bio-filter so I would want you to stay there for a while...but you said you now have 120 fingerlings in there as well. If you harvest your mature fish you will get down into a stocking density range that is much easier to manage. Ok come back down to the newb…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190612010-10-28T15:17:08.000ZMichael sandershttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Michaelsanders
Ok come back down to the newbe world. in 3rd grade english, what told you that the fish fry is necessary?<br />
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<cite>Sylvia Bernstein said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19058&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment19049"><div>Well, I am convinced that I should stop worrying about Nitrates. You guys have made a convincing argument - thanks for enlightening me ;-). OK Mike, no more worrying about your…</div>
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Ok come back down to the newbe world. in 3rd grade english, what told you that the fish fry is necessary?<br />
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<cite>Sylvia Bernstein said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19058&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment19049"><div>Well, I am convinced that I should stop worrying about Nitrates. You guys have made a convincing argument - thanks for enlightening me ;-). OK Mike, no more worrying about your system, except the need for that fish fry.</div>
</blockquote> Yea, like Rupe said.
About t…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190602010-10-28T13:36:24.000ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
Yea, like Rupe said.<br />
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About the only thing that really bugs me about having nitrates over 40 ppm is that I just can't read the results accurately if it is 40 or above so I can't tell if it's 80 or 1800, it just all looks the same to me. So to avoid having to run occasional dilution tests, I would like it if I could keep my nitrates down below 30 ppm just for readability sake.
Yea, like Rupe said.<br />
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About the only thing that really bugs me about having nitrates over 40 ppm is that I just can't read the results accurately if it is 40 or above so I can't tell if it's 80 or 1800, it just all looks the same to me. So to avoid having to run occasional dilution tests, I would like it if I could keep my nitrates down below 30 ppm just for readability sake. Just a couple of points regar…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190582010-10-28T04:07:47.000ZRupertofOZhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RupertofOZ
Just a couple of points regarding nitrates...<br />
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It's quite common in a mature system with an appropriate level of filtration and stocking... to have a zero nitrate reading...<br />
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I't doesn't necessarily indicate any problem... just an indication that the plants are using all the nutrients available.<br />
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If you have a zero reading and your plant growth appears to be struggling, then it probably indicates that you may need more fish...<br />
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But generally people, if anything are over-stocked... and a reading…
Just a couple of points regarding nitrates...<br />
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It's quite common in a mature system with an appropriate level of filtration and stocking... to have a zero nitrate reading...<br />
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I't doesn't necessarily indicate any problem... just an indication that the plants are using all the nutrients available.<br />
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If you have a zero reading and your plant growth appears to be struggling, then it probably indicates that you may need more fish...<br />
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But generally people, if anything are over-stocked... and a reading above 80-100 would indicate that more plants could be planted...<br />
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Any reading above 150+... would probably indicate that you do need to add extra grow beds, as you obviously would have maxed out your existing beds...<br />
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But to my mind, it also probably indicates that you need to do so because your feed load and stocking level is exceeding your filtration capacity anyway...<br />
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N.B. ... I'm talking a mature system as opposed to a relatively new system with new, or recently planted plants... where it is possible to see nitrate levels above 150+, particularly if the system has just completed fishless cycling with urea or hummonia... often where initial ammonia levels may have exceeded 4-8....<br />
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In terms of fish health and nitrates... despite extensive research during the 4 years of my aquaculture studies...<br />
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I have not been able to find any references to nitrate toxicity below 450-500 ppm (bluegill)... with most indicating levels approaching 1500-2000 ppm...<br />
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And this was recently confirmed here in Australia by Dr, Wilson Lennard during a seminar...<br />
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I'm certainly not advocating the levels above 100 ppm are in anyway desirable... on the contrary, to me they probably indicate a general system imbalance...<br />
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But merely pointing out the nitrates levels, in general... just aren't a concern... His system is also very new,…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190562010-10-28T04:02:09.000ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
His system is also very new, TC, so that might explain some ammonia.<br />
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<cite>TCLynx said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19052&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment19052"><div>I didn't really comment on it before (and because you have tilapia which are pretty bomb proof it is probably no worries anyway) but I don't like to see measurable ammonia or nitrites in my systems. I grow catfish which are more…</div>
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His system is also very new, TC, so that might explain some ammonia.<br />
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<cite>TCLynx said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A19052&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment19052"><div>I didn't really comment on it before (and because you have tilapia which are pretty bomb proof it is probably no worries anyway) but I don't like to see measurable ammonia or nitrites in my systems. I grow catfish which are more sensitive to water quality though. If ammonia or nitrites get up to .25 ppm I start looking to see what might be wrong with my set up since seeing ammonia or nitrites usually means a build up of something or that the bio-filters are overloaded.<br/> <br/>
Since you say that you just changed things around and that you just added a grow bed, then I might guess that to be the cause of the ammonia and nitrite readings but if they don't go away, all the more reason to eat some fish soon.</div>
</blockquote> I didn't really comment on it…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190522010-10-28T03:53:44.000ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
I didn't really comment on it before (and because you have tilapia which are pretty bomb proof it is probably no worries anyway) but I don't like to see measurable ammonia or nitrites in my systems. I grow catfish which are more sensitive to water quality though. If ammonia or nitrites get up to .25 ppm I start looking to see what might be wrong with my set up since seeing ammonia or nitrites usually means a build up of something or that the bio-filters are overloaded.<br />
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Since you say that you…
I didn't really comment on it before (and because you have tilapia which are pretty bomb proof it is probably no worries anyway) but I don't like to see measurable ammonia or nitrites in my systems. I grow catfish which are more sensitive to water quality though. If ammonia or nitrites get up to .25 ppm I start looking to see what might be wrong with my set up since seeing ammonia or nitrites usually means a build up of something or that the bio-filters are overloaded.<br />
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Since you say that you just changed things around and that you just added a grow bed, then I might guess that to be the cause of the ammonia and nitrite readings but if they don't go away, all the more reason to eat some fish soon. Well, I am convinced that I s…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190492010-10-28T03:48:17.000ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
Well, I am convinced that I should stop worrying about Nitrates. You guys have made a convincing argument - thanks for enlightening me ;-). OK Mike, no more worrying about your system, except the need for that fish fry.
Well, I am convinced that I should stop worrying about Nitrates. You guys have made a convincing argument - thanks for enlightening me ;-). OK Mike, no more worrying about your system, except the need for that fish fry. I know of people who have nev…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190342010-10-28T03:23:01.000ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
I know of people who have never gotten a high enough nitrate level to really read it with the API kit and they still grow plants just fine.<br />
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My big system has usually tended to the rather high side on the nitrates. (As in I have to dilute the sample in order to get it down to a readable range and then do the math to figure out the actual reading.)<br />
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I've heard some talk that the high nitrate levels with the UVI method might have some to do with the pH adjustment methods they use.<br />
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I do believe…
I know of people who have never gotten a high enough nitrate level to really read it with the API kit and they still grow plants just fine.<br />
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My big system has usually tended to the rather high side on the nitrates. (As in I have to dilute the sample in order to get it down to a readable range and then do the math to figure out the actual reading.)<br />
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I've heard some talk that the high nitrate levels with the UVI method might have some to do with the pH adjustment methods they use.<br />
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I do believe that there is a correlation between pH and nitrate levels as the pH will affect how plants use different nutrients. The pH in my big system has stayed high due to the media. I've also watched the nitrate levels go up drastically after adjusting the pH up in my other systems.<br />
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A nitrate level of 30 ppm would not concern me either way though I think in a perfect world, that would be on the high side, my systems don't seem to know what a perfect world is.<br />
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I do agree about the concern that the fish load will be approaching the heavy side as the fish grow. Luckily they are tilapia but yea, it's gonna be time to start eating them soon. Dan, I can't find that in my…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190182010-10-28T02:04:42.000ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
Dan, I can't find that in my notes from Murray so I'll assume are right, but boy that seems mighty high, doesn't it? My API kit won't even go above 160. I'll see if I can get Murray's attention and ask him...<br />
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<cite>Daniel E Brown said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A18986&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment18986"><div>Nice reference Kobus, thank you. In your combined system, what readings do you…</div>
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Dan, I can't find that in my notes from Murray so I'll assume are right, but boy that seems mighty high, doesn't it? My API kit won't even go above 160. I'll see if I can get Murray's attention and ask him...<br />
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<cite>Daniel E Brown said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A18986&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment18986"><div>Nice reference Kobus, thank you. In your combined system, what readings do you shoot for (and what do you get)?<br/> <br/>
Sylvia, I was basing my estimation of nitrate levels on what Murray Hallam had mentioned regarding when it's time to add an additional bed. I believe he said that if nitrate readings are consistently over 300 ppm another bed is needed. I made what seemed to me to be a simple logic leap, and assumed his regular numbers were somewhere approaching that level (silly to make any assumption, I'm chastising myself as I write this) . I may have spoken too soon regarding stocking levels as well, your breakdown of stocking density is more detailed than my quick estimate, and is most likely far more accurate.</div>
</blockquote> Hey Kobus, no "smart ass"ness…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2010-10-28:4778851:Comment:190172010-10-28T02:02:00.000ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
Hey Kobus, no "smart ass"ness taken. I actually meant what I said and wasn't being sarcastic, although that is hard to read through a forum comment ;-) I really should read that paper, and I really am chagrined, and I really do hesitate to question their work. Thanks for posting it here...now I really have no excuse...<br />
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<cite>Kobus Jooste said:…</cite>
Hey Kobus, no "smart ass"ness taken. I actually meant what I said and wasn't being sarcastic, although that is hard to read through a forum comment ;-) I really should read that paper, and I really am chagrined, and I really do hesitate to question their work. Thanks for posting it here...now I really have no excuse...<br />
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<cite>Kobus Jooste said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A18986&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4778851Comment18978"><div>Wasn't trying to ask a "smart ass" question :) The reason I asked about the paper was that I could not remember the levels off hand, just new that they were higher. They went over 50 mg/L in their rafts. Here is the paper for those that are interested.<br/> <br/>
<cite>Sylvia Bernstein said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/water-levels?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A18973&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment18973"><div>Hi Kobus. I haven't read UVI's literature, I"m chagrined to say, and far be it from me to question such esteemed work so I'm sure they are right. I'm reporting what I've learned through my own system, and going for the notion of balance. While the system may be able to survive very high levels of nitritate I wonder if it is best for the long term balance of the system - feels out of whack to me. Like I said, I've always run at about 5 - 10 ppm with my 12" media beds and everything grows like gangbusters. If it goes below 5 I figure I need to add more fish. But this is certainly less scientific than UVI...but also a different growing method with more bio-filter...</div>
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