A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Cycling a new system

I was in Pet Smart getting a water test kit and I saw a small box of pond filter bacteria. I claims to quickly start bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrates (2 step process). The description on the box sounded just like what we need to have happen in our systems. The question is has anyone used this before? Do you think this would be a good way to speed up cycling and could it be add into a system that is starting up using sea kelp extract?

I am impatient an don't want to wait the 2 weeks to add fish.

Thanks,

Tom

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Campbell on July 16, 2012 at 8:08am

Even though the nitrites were not stable it sounds like Aquatic Eco may actually have some benefit.

I Googled it but only found

ProLine-Bacteria

and

Bacta-Pur

Permalink Reply by Earl ward on July 16, 2012 at 5:21pm

here is what i used

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1718/ProLine-174-Bacteria?g...

Permalink Reply by Tom Hack on July 16, 2012 at 6:25pm

Well things are progressing faster than I thought they would. My system consists of 50 gal fish tank with 2 half barrels for grow beds and a sump. I started with sea weed extract and planted some strawberries and peppers. I waited a few days and added 10 feeder gold fish. It has been 6 days since the goldfish were introduced and intrites began to register today. Ammonia levels have never gotten above .5 ppm. All the plants are happy and the seeds I planted Saturday are starting to show. The only issue is the 3 fish that ended up in the grow bed.

Tom

Permalink Reply by Paul Trudeau on July 16, 2012 at 6:32pm

Tom,

I applaud your moving forward one way or another!

Paul

Tom Hack said:

Well things are progressing faster than I thought they would. My system consists of 50 gal fish tank with 2 half barrels for grow beds and a sump. I started with sea weed extract and planted some strawberries and peppers. I waited a few days and added 10 feeder gold fish. It has been 6 days since the goldfish were introduced and intrites began to register today. Ammonia levels have never gotten above .5 ppm. All the plants are happy and the seeds I planted Saturday are starting to show. The only issue is the 3 fish that ended up in the grow bed.

Tom