Starting system

[terryd]

Okay got everything working okay auto syphon and such,with water in fish tank and grow beds filled with beads and plants in.
But can someone tell me what do i have to do now please.
I was going to wait 2-3weeks before i get fish so have been putting seasol into system since setup, a cup 1st day then capful each day.
Soo what next please.

[Murray]

It is all pretty simple really....you are doing it just right. Test the water every day, especially pH and Ammonia. Every other day do a test for nitrite. When you see some of that show up you know that the useful bacteria is starting to do it's job. Not many days after that you will start to see traces of Nitrate.

Keep adding the Seasol...a cap a day....after about two weeks into the process get your small fingerlings........all will be well.

It is not unusual to see pH swings during this process...don't stress too much. Steady as she goes.

And , don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Castaway]

http://www.theaquariumshop.com.au/images/full/Aquarium_Pharmaceuticals_Freshwater_Master_Test_Kit_A.jpg

Get one of these test kits. Start planting. Test the water. When your system has cycled - insert fish and sit back and watch the plants take off.

How easy is that? You can buy the test kits here (http://www.aquaponics.net.au)

There is plenty of information on figuring out the correct pH, Ammonia levels, Nitrite and Nitrate readings on this forum. Do a search. It sounds too complicated at first but it will all make sense eventually after you test your system a few times. The penny will drop and it will all make sense. Good Luck.

[terryd]

Yes I just bought a kit off Murray, so i will test it and see what happens.

[terryd]

Okay did my first test, Ph7.5 , Nitrates 0 no fish yet so didn't test for other.
How does this look.

[Outbackozzie]

You wont get nitrates until you have ammonia and nitrites.

If you are fishless cycling you need to add some sort of ammonia source. Seasol cant do it by itself.

The pH is ok though.

[terryd]

What can i use as an amonia source or should i just wait for fish.

[Outbackozzie]

Urea (in extremely small doses) can be used to get a system ready for fish.

It is very powerful stuff.

Simply adding fish can be bad, due to ammonia and nitrite spikes killing them, unless you have the time to monitor the water every day.

[fishfood]

One good pee in it will do wonders

[Outbackozzie]

Depends on the amount of water though, and I know that the mods here dont like the pee version :D

[terryd]

So where would i get urea, would Murray sell it.

[Outbackozzie]

Bunnings and Nurseries sell it.

How many litres of water you got?

[terryd]

About 770 litres i believe.
I just bought a test kit of Murray so testing wont be a problem.

[Outbackozzie]

ok, just add a 1/4 cup of urea granules, then test for 4 days, if no ammonia shows add 1/2 cup and repeat

[terryd]

Okay I'll have to get some, i will let you know how i go Thankyou.

[terryd]

Well i got some urea and some salt, then today i tested my water for everything with the following results, so can someone tell me if they are somewhere near right please.
PH 7.4 Amonia 2.0 nitrite .20 nitrate 2.5
Thats with no fish just circulating system and seasol.

[nick]

why are people using urea when you can get ammonia granules in probably the same place.

It states on the pack that the ammonia concentration of the product is 45 %.
So here goes some maths, check it for me.

1 ppm is the same as one gram in 1000 litres.

So if we add 1gram of 45% ammonia sulphate to 1000 litres of water it should reach .5ppm roughly.

So in my system of roughly 3000L i would need to add 6grams of ammonium sulphate to achieve 1ppm.

Also becuase it is already in the form of ammonium sulphate there is no waiting for ammonia to spike in its transfer from urea to ammonia.

Might also not have the problem with any of the heavy metals that can/may be associated with urea.

Any wya give it some thought,
nick

the ammonium sulphate would be in the same isle as the urea in places like bunnings etc.

[Murray]

No way, please do not use UREA.
There are so many disasters out there from over use of UREA.
I posted something on UREA just the other day, do a search on this forum and read about UREA.
Some will disagree with me I know, but please do not start putting CUPS of UREA in your aquaponics system.

This subject has been visited so many times. Please read over the previous posts regarding UREA.

It is one way to cycle a system, but, at the risk of drawing some disagreement ......I would not recommend it to anyone...there are safer ways to cycle a system.
I do not do it my self, but pee in the darn thing, (provided you don't have a bad dose of the "Hong Kong Dong") :) it a far better option than adding UREA.

Here is a post just a few days ago, read through the page.....http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15030#post15030

[fishfood]

Yep you may as well pee in it :) it worked for me

[iain]

Small application of powerfeed (from the makers of seasol) worked great for me.
http://www.aquaponicshq.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729&highlight=powerfeed

Having an organic and "natural" dosing application was important to me when I started.

Not overdoing any dosing application is probably the key.

[GaryD]

Hi,

While I believe that the risk of using urea has been overstated.......these days, I suggest that the best way of getting your system to cycle quickly, is to get some a few litres of water out of an exisiting aquaponics system.

That is the fastest and safest fishless cycling method.

If you can obtain sufficient water, You can fill a system and stock it on the same day.

I move tanks around frequently and I've used this strategy to start many aquaponics systems and it's bulletproof.

While I haven't used PowerFeed, I can't see why it wouldn't work well.

Gary

[Outbackozzie]

But anyway, yes them readings are excellent for fishless cycling.

[terryd]

Thanks everyone whats the next move, i thought i would wait another week or so then maybe get some silvers.
Any suggestions people.

[bunya boy]

TD,
Plants first, then keep testing until system cycles at Amm=0, Ntrites=0 and Ntrates=something.
Check pH for levels of up to 8.0.
Check temperature of water to decide what sort of fish (e.g. >24 or so Jades, Silvers).

Then add fish. Stir gently and give lots of air.

We all like pics too!!
Cheers IanK. :D

[terryd]

Thanks everyone the people on HQ are awesome,wonderful people Thankyou again.
Ian thanks will take your advice on board, Murray as always thankyou and sending an order soon.
everyone else your help is greatly appreciated.
How do i upload photos? couldn't seem to find instructions.