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On the Master Test Kit color chart...the Nitrates at the first level are colored yellow, and at the second level like a carmel color.

When Nitrates appear...will the carmel color level be reached right away...or will the test vial look more like an off color yellow with just the slightest cast of brown in it?  I've been cycling and the ammonia and the nitrites have been regularly dropping way down by the next day after my adding ammonia each day to the system.

2 days ago I added some Nite Out II just to give it a boost and that next morning I did see a definate color with more of a tan in it...but by the next day it was back to mostly yellow color.

Just wondering...I'm being patient and reacting slowly..but just appreciate some feedback??

Thanks Much

Bradly

 

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It's gonna take a while for your bacteria to colonize. They have a slow reproductive cycle, doubling every every 10-15 hours. Focus more on the ammonia and nitrites at first and the nitrates will follow. Remember that the scale of nitrites are in increments of .25-1 where as nitrates are in increments of 5-20 so it will take a while to reach higher nitrates.

Thanks Jonathan

I came home from work last night and tested again...and got a nice carmel reading on the nitrates !!!!  Yahhh

So now I'll  just nurse it along...but I think I'm almost there.  It's been 13 days and I've put aquarium water and aquarium filter cleaning water in their too. That and the warm weather here has kept the water toasty. 

I think it's started to wrap up here so I'll give nitrates a few days and watch them, and then once the nitrites go to zero every morning (or at least low levels) then I'll slowly put a few of my 6" koi in for the big test run.

I'm building a shade awning cause the heat here is making water 91 degrees which is about 6 degrees too high for me.

Thanks again for the advice....I'm heading out to test it's 5:30 am but I think it's gonna be good.
 
Jonathan Kadish said:

It's gonna take a while for your bacteria to colonize. They have a slow reproductive cycle, doubling every every 10-15 hours. Focus more on the ammonia and nitrites at first and the nitrates will follow. Remember that the scale of nitrites are in increments of .25-1 where as nitrates are in increments of 5-20 so it will take a while to reach higher nitrates.

Do you have plants in the system?

No plants yet...no fish either. 

Update- this morning's tests showed a far less nitrates reading than last nights, so I dosed with ammonia and will test again this evening.  The nitrites level was way down this morning (whereas it was bright purple last nite)... as well as the ammonia (down to .25 or so.... so I think I'm heading in right direction.

I don't know if it's usual for the nitrates to go up and down a little at first,or if maybe the test vial gets a good sample of them one time and the next time no so many.

I imagine that once the nitrates kick in they won't fluctuate much unless I put plants in growbeds...I'm just guessing of course  :-)



Jonathan Kadish said:

Do you have plants in the system?

Once you really have nitrates they stay around until your plants use them. If your nitrites are going from 5 to 0 over night you are probably ready for a light fish load.

ok, I'll watch it rest of this week while building the awning and if pattern continues I'll throw a few Koi in there and watch it carefully.

Thanks Much Jonathan

Jonathan Kadish said:

Once you really have nitrates they stay around until your plants use them. If your nitrites are going from 5 to 0 over night you are probably ready for a light fish load.

Hey and don't be afraid to throw some plants in there too... stick to leafy greens, the flowering & fruiting type won't to to well in the first couple of months. One important tip about the plants is try only to grow from seed. Taking potted plants from nurseries leaves your system to catching pathogens. Kinda like VD for plants - don't let your system sleep around if you know what I mean.

Good tip Jonathan

I grow all my own veggies from seed for my dirt garden (because of cost), I'll do the same with AP system.  I'm gonna put some seeds in tonight.

One more question Jonathan if you can...  how deep does everyone typically sprinkle the seeds... Maybe like an inch below the "high water line" at it's highest level in that growbed? or deeper?



Jonathan Kadish said:

Hey and don't be afraid to throw some plants in there too... stick to leafy greens, the flowering & fruiting type won't to to well in the first couple of months. One important tip about the plants is try only to grow from seed. Taking potted plants from nurseries leaves your system to catching pathogens. Kinda like VD for plants - don't let your system sleep around if you know what I mean.

Many people just (including me) sprinkle them across the media. The only thing you should do is raise the level that the water begins to siphon to about about 1 inch or 1/2 inch below the surface. The seeds will drop into the crevices and stick to the wet surfaces where they will sprout from. Some might go too deep but it is way easier than transplanting from seedling stock and avoids root shock. After the seeds have sprouted you can go back to having your water level 1 1/2 -2 inches below the surface.

some basil coming up today

10-4  Got it.  Thanks for all the help Jonathan.  Seeds are going in! 

Well, I tested last night and the Nitrites were 5+, and this morning back to nothing again.This seems to be the pattern, so I'm probably real close now. Nitrates are still in the "negligable - 2" range ...but I will keep an eye on it.

Thanks again

Bradly


Jonathan Kadish said:

Many people just (including me) sprinkle them across the media. The only thing you should do is raise the level that the water begins to siphon to about about 1 inch or 1/2 inch below the surface. The seeds will drop into the crevices and stick to the wet surfaces where they will sprout from. Some might go too deep but it is way easier than transplanting from seedling stock and avoids root shock. After the seeds have sprouted you can go back to having your water level 1 1/2 -2 inches below the surface.

some basil coming up today

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