Starting system

[cyberfysh]

How do i upload photos? couldn't seem to find instructions.

Below the text window in which you write your message, there's another box headed "Additional Options", in which you'll find a button labelled "Manage Attachments". Just click on that, and it should all be straightforward from there.

Looking forward to seeing your pix! :)

[terryd]

okay here ya go ,i hope.
I'll load some more next week.

[terryd]

sorry dont know what happened to my post.

[bunya boy]

Do what you have to to make it work! Good luck!!

[terryd]

Thanks everyone.
stay tune

[terryd]

Heres some more photos about 2 weeks growth, so far so good.

[Outbackozzie]

Good old cos :)

[terryd]

Just did a reading on my water.
PH 7.2 , ammonia .25 ,Nitrites 1.0 , Nitrates 8 Temperature 15 degrees.
Can anyone tell me what the best readings would be, what should i aim for please.
:confused:

[LPMurphy]

Your nitrites and nitrates will be a factor of your biological filter's health and the amount of ammonia being converted.
You always want low to zero for ammonia and nitrites however you will have some low numbers at times, more so with ammonia than nitrite once cycled.
I have not seen exact numbers for nitrates but mine has run from 20-40. Much of this will depend on your plant levels - how much do they soak up as they want the nitrates. Nitrates will not hurt your fish.
You Ph is ok - some may say it is a little high but nothing to even begin to worry about and certainly not high enough to take any action.
I would think your nitrate level would be going up soon. Make sure you are shaking up bottle #2 on your nitrate test kit real good so be sure you are getting a legit reading.

[terryd]

Okay finally checked the temperate this morning 12 degrees, what fish will tolerate the cold water please.
Need to get some fish next week maybe.
Thanks for the info mr murphy.

:o

[Outbackozzie]

Trout are your only option for this time of year.

[terryd]

Will they grow quick enough before it gets too hot?

[Outbackozzie]

yup, plenty of time still

[rainwater]

Hi Terryd
My system is almost 3 weeks old in Sydney and my test yesterday is almost the same as yours. My water temp is 13oc. I have put 6 small gold fish in the pond from the start and added humonia few times after a couple of cold ones.
I get 50 trout tomorrow.
Keep you posted

[terryd]

Thanks Everyone.
Can anyone tell me what the optimum readings should be for tests.
Ph, amonia ,nitrites, nitrates etc.,

[LPMurphy]

Ph - between 6.0 and 7.0 is the generally accepted concencus for aquaculture. However mine stays in the 8.2-8.4 range and the channel catfish seem happy (can't speak for talapia or others). I used to stress over the levels but found that many freshwater fish are ok up to 9.0 - HOWEVER these fish are typically in large open waters - not in a small contained system. I have to watch out for ammonia spikes. The higher the Ph the greater your chances of ammonia toxicity. For me it is not that I want the Ph this high - but I have more problems if I buffer it down when the gravel just puts it right back up. Fish are more susceptible to upward swings than downward so I just let it stabilize where it is and survived the ride.

Ammonia - 0. You will at times have low numbers-fish gotta pee sometime.
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - I can only tell you mine ranges from 20-40 using an API freshwater master kit. My plants are thriving (june is summer for me). These numbers will vary depending on your system, how many fish, fish activity as it realtes to temp, how big your bio-filter and how many plants you have taking up the nutrients.

Here is some water quality info you might find useful
http://philminaq.eu/pdf/Reviews/Annex%202%20WQ%20standard.pdf

[Outbackozzie]

Just make sure the pH does not drop below 6.5, once it hits below 6 the bacteria die off rapidly, leading to huuuuge ammonia and nitrite spikes.

[terryd]

Thanks for your help people much appreciated.

[terryd]

Okay need some assistance please , my latest readings have changed and wonder if these are okay please.
PH 7.2, Amonnia .25, nitrites .50, nitrates 20
Can someone tell me if these need some corective measures.

[LPMurphy]

Your levels are fine. I expected the nitrates to go up - the plants will love it. Your nitrites have gone down some - that is good. Some fluctuations are normal - especially in a new system. Overall looks stable. How does you water look? Is is clear or soupy green?