Well I finally got my system up & running this past weekend
Definitely got a tad confused about how it was all mean't to go together but thankfully Castaway posted some pic's for me & Murray emailed me down some to further explain & presto.....got there in the end....thanks for the help fellas.
Clay pebbles have turned the FT water 'tea coloured' (as I didn't wash them prior to loading them into the GB's). How long does it take approximately for the clarity to clear up?
Cheers,
Shane.
Hi Shane - Good to see you got it up and running. Give it a few days before the water gets progressively clearer. I noticed the heavier particles of clay dust get recycled a few times before they stay in the Grow Beds. Start planting your seedlings right away and get some Seasol into the fish tank right away to get your system cycled. Might take a bit longer than normal due to the cooler weather so don't panic. Nature takes a bit of time before the bacteria colonise your system and start doing their thing. Take a few photos and start posting.
Planted into the GB's immediately after hooking the system up & testing that everything was working. Added 1/2 a cup of seasol to each GB straight after. How long does it take approx for the bacteria to do its thing...3-4 weeks?Originally Posted by Castaway
Yes....got some photo's in the camera before/during/after the build...I'll upload them to photobucket in the next day or two.Take a few photos and start posting.
Cheers,
Shane.
Depends on your water temperature. Get a thermometer and check you tank water. Might be a bit cold in Victoria and if you want to speed up things you might invest in some sort of heater. Make sure you are running air into the tank with the supplied aerator turned on.How long does it take approx for the bacteria to do its thing...3-4 weeks?
Some useful info found on the internet:
The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).
Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).
Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.
No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C).
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).
Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C).
Nitrospira is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas. In cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.
pH
The optimum pH range for Nitrosomonas is between 7.2-8.0.
The optimum pH range for Nitrospira is between 7.4-8.2.
Nitrosomonas growth is inhibited at a pH of 6.5. All nitrification is inhibited if the pH drops to 6.0 or less. Care must be taken to monitor ammonia if the pH begins to drop close to 6.5. At this pH almost all of the ammonia present in the water will be in the mildly toxic, ionized NH3+ state.
Dissolved Oxygen
Maximum nitrification rates will exist if dissolved oxygen (DO) levels exceed 80% saturation. Nitrification will not occur if DO concentrations drop to 2.0 mg/l (ppm) or less. Nitrospira is more strongly affected by low DO than NITROSOMONAS.
Thanks for the info Castaway...I currently have no idea what temp the water is (other than it seems pretty cold) so I'll grab a thermometer this weekend.
OK...lets see if I can get these pic's to load.
Currently had a disused triangular area down one back corner of the yard. This area used to be all lush green grass years ago (as was the rest of the yard).....but with our dams now down to 27% capacity due to the prolonged drought (& the consequent water restrictions we've found ourselves under for awhile now) all the grass packed it in died what seems a long time ago now.
Only a few sparse weeds grow now...but on the plus side I haven't had the lawnmower out since the middle of last year.
Two of my children grabbed some of their tools from the sandpit & decided to help Dad remove the bricks & assorted rubbish, level things out a tad & help put together the unit.
The 2nd hand bricks were leftover from a pathway I'd installed nearly 8 years ago...these were trailered to my Dad's house were he's now used them to pave a small garden shed floor.
Pic #1...looking at site.
Pic #2...Alexander(Batman) & William(Robin) grab some sandpit tools to help out.
Pic #3...different angle of site.
Pic #4...underway
Pic #5...one GB hooked up...still going with the other one.
Pic # 6...water into GB.
Pic #7...Flow from GB back into FT.
Pic # 8...both GB's emptying out.
Cheers,
Shane.
Shane,
Looks like a great possie for the system. Although you seem to be a bit of a "switch hitter". . .VB and Carlton??
Glad to see the boys getting involved, just wait until they discover the fish when you put them in! You won't keep them away. Good thing the lids to Murray's systems are well constructed from HW decking section!!
Lots of good growth ahead, I can see.
Cheers IanK
If you don't break the rules . . . there would be no such thing as innovation!
Hi Shane, nice work.
You may find your water turns green thru the cycling stage. Don't worry about this, it is part of the process and clears up after a few days.
You have turned a bit of a dead spot into something that will bring enjoyment to the whole family. Keep us posted.
Darren
www.aussieaquaponics.com
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