I've read that it can take one to three months before the bacteria start to kick in and result in a lot of plant growth with a new system. Is there anything I can add to the water that would jump-start the bacteria and get it going faster?
I've read that it can take one to three months before the bacteria start to kick in and result in a lot of plant growth with a new system. Is there anything I can add to the water that would jump-start the bacteria and get it going faster?
well if you can add some bacteria from an established system or aquarium that has healthy fish in it that would be the quickest way. It should already be established.
An interesting thing I found when I tried to cycle my new 3600 liter system is that it never would cycle despite bringing gravel and squeezing the filter from my aquarium system I had established. I had been seeding the thing for over a month and no change in the readings. Then I added some liquid seaweed extract and it cycled 2 days afterwards. I had been using fertilizer concentrate to supply my ammonia to start the cycle but it seems some element was missing until I added the extract. Could be coincidence and then maybe not.
Oh yea, a ph of 7.6-8.2 is good, and a temp above 22C is best.
Knowledge comes from books and classes...Wisdom comes from surviving mistakes not taught in either.
It really depends on the size of the bio media surface area verses the feed rate verses the stocking density. Without knowing these, you may be better off just letting it work itself out.Originally Posted by AquaTrox
As long as you provide ammonia, it will cycle in under 1 month during summer.
The quickest cycling is achieved with a constant ammonia level of 1 to 2.
new to the forums and looking to start an aquaponic system, but wouldnt the best method be to get a couple gallons of water from a pond that has fish in it naturally? I would imagine the water was safe and filled with bacteria. A couple gallons of natural pond water would be like making bread from a old yeast starter.
Hi Greenman,
Welcome to APHQ.
It would be even more effective if you took the water from an existing aquaponics system.new to the forums and looking to start an aquaponic system, but wouldnt the best method be to get a couple gallons of water from a pond that has fish in it naturally? I would imagine the water was safe and filled with bacteria. A couple gallons of natural pond water would be like making bread from a old yeast starter.
I'm assuming that when you speak about using pond water, you're talking about a backyard pond (as distinct from a pond in the "wild"). Taking water or other aquatic organisms from natural watercourses is not recommended due to the possibility of importing a disease.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
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Hey AquaT. No polite way of saying this, but urine will provide the ammonia to kick the bacteria along. A little goes a long way. Bacteria colonisation is temperature dependant among other things. As u are in mid winter, it will take a while 4 ur system to cycle unless you are providing some sort of heating for ur water.
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