Barts New Larger 5 Tank System

[Dufflight]

As a system cycles the ph will go down by itself. Mine was close to 8 and ended up around the 7 and has stayed there.

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

I'd say that your high pH is probably due to the dust on the 20mm gravel that you used.

As Dufflight has indicated, the pH will drop of its own accord over time (after you've added the fish), so you may only have to do the downward adjustment using the acid once.

Gary

[bart]

just some update pics of the big pond pic 1 and 2 , 3 is the outdoor veg patch doing well the onions just about ready also the hot weather has hit Melbourne last 3 days in the30 S the ft is sitting at 23 to 24 deg when green house temp is at 39 and 34 just as well i burried the tank in the ground to try to stabilize the temp. ? is this temp to hot for trout I'm sure barra or perch would love it anyway wll keep you all posted bart

[bart]

just some update pics off the 25000 lter pond i now have yearling rainbow trout in the pond water temp has got to 22 but they seem OK they still feed in the evening trust Melbourne to turn on the heat early i should have put in perch but the trout were just too tempting right time right price just hope they will survive the summer i have 15 in the ap setup and they seem to be going well with temp at 20 on the really hot days

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

Love the swimming pool conversion. Did you consider using the pool as a fish tank rather than as a decorative pond? You may have been able to achieve both outcomes. In any case, it's not too late (but a bit of work) if you were to change your mind.

Gary

[bart]

hi gary the pool is a fish pond currently stocked with 20 rainbow trout around a year old they keep the mozzies and frogs away and dont damage the water lillies

[bart]

just some pics of my weekend project the wine barrel wicking bed

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

I spent several hours over the past two days attaching lattice work to two sections of our new pergola. Given that it was a scorcher and nothing was square, I much prefer your weekend project.

I reckon wicking beds show real promise as somewhere to put some nutrient-rich water from the fish tank. I'm keen to convert a couple of my square foot beds to the wicking water arrangement.

Gary

[bart]

just some pics of my gbs we are getting plenty zucchini and cucumbers also lettuce and the beans and tomatoes are growing well my nitrate have dropped off i only have 14 trout in the system about 1 year old and the plants might need more could i keep perch with the trout i tried goldfish but they lasted about 60 seconds and there were happy trout and no goldfish could i supplement the gbs with something

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

.....my nitrate have dropped off i only have 14 trout in the system about 1 year old and the plants might need more could i keep perch with the trout i tried goldfish but they lasted about 60 seconds and there were happy trout and no goldfish could i supplement the gbs with something

Are you sure that you need anything? Elevated nitrate levels will inhibit the performance of fruiting plants.
Many mature AP systems operate with no discernible ammonia, nitrite or nitrate readings. At around pH 6.0 - 6.5, such systems become very efficient at making nutrients available to the plants.

If you're getting good plant growth from your 14 trout, I wouldn't add anything.

Gary