New aquaponic system finally set up!

[Daniel]

Hi all -

 

Since I received help from several of you here on the forum I thought I would post a link to a video introduction of my mostly completed system. Here's the link: http://youtu.be/HiMlfeWMlo0

And if you want to see the forum discussion withthe background on this system, the link is here: http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/feedback-on-pl...

 

I'm fishless cycling the system now, and trying to confirm this weekend whether I have a record for fastest newb cycling time, or am just missing something (?). I first added ammonia on Aug. 6 (5 days ago) up to a tested level of 1.8ppm, then I added 10 gal of water from a friend's (healthy) koy pond - not just regular pond water, but water the koy pond's filter had been cleaned with. That day, the Ammonia only tested at 1.0ppm. On Aug. 9 (two days later), ammonia only showed about 0.2ppm, so I dosed the same as the original amount - probably almost 2ppm. Today, (two days later) the ammonia was only showing perhaps 0.1ppm. nitrite was showing 0.0 today and two days ago. Tested nitrate for the first time today, and it shows perhaps 1.0ppm.

So, either my ammonia is already being processed by almost 1ppm per day, and the nitrite is also being processed as fast as it is produced, or I am missing something. Oh, PH in the tank was 8.0 before I started adding anything, 8.2 on 8/6 and 8/9, and 8.0 again today. I'd like to adjust down, but wanted to cycle before I started adjusting the PH.

I dosed double the original amount of ammonia tonight (3+ppm?) and will test tommorrow instead of waiting two days to try and confirm how fast the ammonia is being processed. Will post updates here in case anyone is interested...

[Daniel]

Update: Received 50+ bluegill today! I'm excited, and looking forward to seeing them prosper... My system was reading PH 6.4 and 0.0 Ammonia, Nitrite, & Nitrate as of yesterday so I think it was ready for them.

 

I did continue to add Ammonia (a little at a time) and some PH adjustment as needed after my original post above - watching my numbers all the while. I never did get an Ammonia level to read more than about 0.4 since Aug. 6 (testing 24 hours after each addition of Ammonia), though I did get Nitrite readings as high as 5.0 - so the system was not fully cycled as quickly as my post above suggested.

Hopefully this weekend I'll have time to post another video update and show off my new fish :-)

[Daniel]

I wanted to post an update for all the aquapons here who helped me with advice while I got my initial system setup last year. My outdoor system is going well, just a little overplanted ;-), and I set up an indoor system as well with a 50gal fish tank a friend gave me. For details, please visit (and follow!) the blog I set up at www.WhatIsAquaponics.co

I'll post updates to the blog, and probably share some of the blog posts on this site as well.

Happy growing!

[Rob Jordan]

I read this post with great admiration.  I am very new to this.  Finishing my 330 gal IBC with two 12" IBC grow beds (crushed granite).  Bell siphons in GBs, constant pump in 100 gal sump.  I am trying to soak up every suggestion I can.  I will be ready to start fishless cycling in a week.  Any advice on how I should proceed?  I don't think I know anyone who I can get "used" water from, so I am starting from scratch.  I do have good water, but will have a little chlorine issue to deal with.

[Daniel]

Thanks Rob - I've really enjoyed learning about Aquaponics, despite the challenges that come up. As far as suggestions, there is a ton of advice on this forum already - but you might want to make sure to read Sylvia's latest post on the topic: http://theaquaponicsource.com/blog-2/the-top-10-reasons-why-your-aq...
 

I think it was very helpful for cycling quickly to have added some dirty pond water from a friend's Koi pond; if you don't know anyone, you might look up pond supply stores in your area and ask there about connecting with one of their customers. Or, you could think about whether any local businesses have ponds or aquariums as part of their décor - and then stop by to ask about taking a bucket of their water. This does have disadvantages too though - I think I introduced some kind of water snail to my system by using water from my friend's Koi pond, and these have been minor pests, so this may not be worth the time it shaves off of the cycling process. In my case it worked because my friend was right across the street and I knew the pond and fish were healthy.

The only other thing I would add is to get some Maxicrop or other seaweed type fertilizer to add some trace minerals to your system, as I would suspect (just my non-scientific opinion) that it may assist bacteria to start with a nice balance of minerals - not to mention that then you can plant a few lettuce seeds while you fishless cycle ;-)

Rob Jordan said:

I read this post with great admiration.  I am very new to this.  Finishing my 330 gal IBC with two 12" IBC grow beds (crushed granite).  Bell siphons in GBs, constant pump in 100 gal sump.  I am trying to soak up every suggestion I can.  I will be ready to start fishless cycling in a week.  Any advice on how I should proceed?  I don't think I know anyone who I can get "used" water from, so I am starting from scratch.  I do have good water, but will have a little chlorine issue to deal with.