questions on water

[SwampCreek]

I'm new to this, my system is made from all recycled products. I have a PH test, it stays around 7.5 throughout the weeks I have had it set up. I'm going to get an ammonia test and nitrite and nitrate tests. What am I looking for ? Whats the ideal numbers to look for ?
Here are a few pics of what i have set up. Just trial by error. So far it seems the growbed works better than the pvc.

[GaryD]

Hi SwampCreek,

Welcome to APHQ.

Once you've cycled your system and added some fish, the system will begin to naturally acidify over time.

It doesn't matter too much that your pH is high while you're cycling.....since nitrifying bacteria prefer pH to be a little higher than fish or plants.

The optimum pH for a fully functioning AP system is in the order of pH 6.4.

Given the quantity of water in your system, you could probably lower it using some plain white vinegar.

Since your system doesn't yet have fish, it's not important......but something to remember about pH adjustment when a system contains fish is to do it very gradually. Sudden shifts in pH can (at worst) kill fish and (at best) stress them.....leaving them exposed to disease.

Gary

[SwampCreek]

I have fish already. A local catfish farm donated about 25 channel cats to me, since they liked the idea of aquaponics. Then I added 10 goldfish, some bream from the pond, and a few minnows. I have had fish in the system since day 1. Plants are now about an inch or two tall. Everything seems like it is going good. Another concern is a brown algae thats is in my pvc pipes. I washed it out the other day, it stayed clean for a day. Is that something common, or should it not be there? Is it something i should try to get rid of? I'm glad i found this site, reading all the threads is very interesting and knowledgeable.

[kellenw]

Welcome aboard SwampCreek!