Nitrite (NO2- ): On 1/10/19, our water tested for 0.5 ppm of nitrogen dioxide. On 2/1/19, it didn’t change.
Nitrate (NO3-): On the first day, our water tested for 40 mg/L of nitrogen trioxide. On 2/1/19, it tested for 5 mg/L. This change could be attributed to the increase in aeration of the tank over time.
Ammonia (NH3): Prior to adding fish to our aquaponics system, our water tested as “harmful” for ammonia. In order to combat this, we followed the instructions in adding a conditioner to our water (this would also help with any heavy metals and chlorine). After adding the fish, our water was testing as “stress” for ammonia. This is most likely due to the fact that fish waste breaks down and releases ammonia. As of 2/1/19 our water test strip states that the ammonia is at 0.5 which is considered state.
pH: On 1/10/19, our water tested as 6.5 for pH, which is below the optimal pH for goldfish (7.2-7.6). After adding the fish, our pH didn’t change. We’ll have to look into ways to naturally raise the pH of fish tanks in order to create a more hospitable environment for our fish.
Other: While our testing strips were different between the 1/10/19 and 2/1/19, our water tested as 0 ppm of free chlorine, 0 ppm of total chlorine, and 0 for total hardness.
Observations: We have added rockwool grow cubes to assist in the growth of our basil and peppermint. Since our last post we have added our plants to our system. We added two basil seeds to each of the five cubes in the front, and five peppermint seeds in each cube in the back. Today we found that a few of our seeds had sprouted! The fish continue to behave as though they are healthy.
Nitrate (NO3-): On the first day, our water tested for 40 mg/L of nitrogen trioxide. On 2/1/19, it tested for 5 mg/L. This change could be attributed to the increase in aeration of the tank over time.
Ammonia (NH3): Prior to adding fish to our aquaponics system, our water tested as “harmful” for ammonia. In order to combat this, we followed the instructions in adding a conditioner to our water (this would also help with any heavy metals and chlorine). After adding the fish, our water was testing as “stress” for ammonia. This is most likely due to the fact that fish waste breaks down and releases ammonia. As of 2/1/19 our water test strip states that the ammonia is at 0.5 which is considered state.
pH: On 1/10/19, our water tested as 6.5 for pH, which is below the optimal pH for goldfish (7.2-7.6). After adding the fish, our pH didn’t change. We’ll have to look into ways to naturally raise the pH of fish tanks in order to create a more hospitable environment for our fish.
Other: While our testing strips were different between the 1/10/19 and 2/1/19, our water tested as 0 ppm of free chlorine, 0 ppm of total chlorine, and 0 for total hardness.
Observations: We have added rockwool grow cubes to assist in the growth of our basil and peppermint. Since our last post we have added our plants to our system. We added two basil seeds to each of the five cubes in the front, and five peppermint seeds in each cube in the back. Today we found that a few of our seeds had sprouted! The fish continue to behave as though they are healthy.