Comment

Comment by mary scholz on January 1, 2013 at 8:53am

i say use some butter ,garlic, dill and BBQ skin side down. sorry i can't add more

Comment by chris taylor Swamp Creek Farms on November 14, 2012 at 11:14am

finally some one i can understand the accent..  i remember when i  was the only one..

Comment by Craig Hannaford on November 14, 2012 at 4:29am

Thanks for the comments and info guys......

Comment by Matthew Chapman on November 12, 2012 at 3:37pm

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Comment by RupertofOZ on November 12, 2012 at 5:27am

Unless your starting pH is higher than 7.8-8.0... leave it alone... it will fall soon enough on it's own...

If your pH is 8.0++... then either your media.. or more likely your source water.. is highly carbonate buffered...

If this is the case.. and you're fishless cycling.. you could adjust the pH down by using Hydrochloric acid directly to the tank...

Once you have fish though.. and you begin topping up the system with high carbonate water...

You can't.. and shouldn't attempt to adjust the tank itself... adjust your top up water... and be patient..

Comment by RupertofOZ on November 12, 2012 at 5:23am

"In a system of 1000 ltrs (250 gallons) the juice of half a lemon would be... like spitting on a bushfire...

Comment by Matthew Chapman on November 12, 2012 at 3:32am

In a mature Aquaponics system the pH tends to drift down over time. This is as a result of the acid by product of the action of the beneficial bacteria in the AP system. It is a natural part of the process. Therefore expect pH to gradually move down.
I have observed pH to drop from 6.8 down to 5.8 in less than a month due to this natural process.
If your new system reads at , say , 7.5 or higher, then perhaps a little help to bring the pH down would be in order.

Adjusting pH down.
The easiest and safest way is to use the juice of a lemon. It will depend on the total litres or gallons of water in your AP system as to how many lemons will be needed.
In a system of 1000 ltrs (250 gallons) the juice of half a lemon would be added initially. Wait for 24 hours then measure the pH. If a small fall is observed then repeat the process until you have the system down to just below 7.0 in the ideal range.

Comment by Roger on November 7, 2012 at 9:14pm

Great looking system Craig!