The 5 aquaponics water tests

I got a 5 in one test kit today (it was more cost effective than buying each test separately). Basically the five tests are :

1. PH normal
2. PH high
3. Ammonia
4. Nitrites
5. Nitrates

You need to do tests 1 and 3 daily in the beginning and then weekly as your system stabilises. Tests 4 and 5 will tell you 2 things: 

1. Do you have a bacteria colony. In the beginning you can do test 4 until you get some kind of reading and then test 5.
2. Do you have enough plans in your system to filter the water. This is mostly test 5 since your plants suck up the nitrates which can become poisonous to your fish. 

The nitrates are the reason you need to change out 10% of the water in your fish tank/pond about once a week. Since the plants suck up the nitrates with great enthusiasm in an aquaponics system you don't need to lose 10% of your water weekly. In an aquaculture system (fish without plants) you replace the equivalent of your entire systems water every 2 and a 1/2 months. In a coutry like South Africa where water is a precious resource we can't afford to waste water like that. So aquaponics is the ideal solution.

  

Anyway back to the tests. The ammonia is in my opinion the most important test since this will kill your fish first. Anything below Ammonia level of 1.0 is cool, anything from 2.0 and up is serious danger for your fish.

PH is also important especially in the beginning. Any sharp fluctuations could end up killing all or most of your fish. These are the important one and you should not neglect to do them at least once a week.

 

Besides between testing the water and feeding the fish, spending time with your system will tell you more than any test can. Just the smell of the system will tells you more than any test can. The more time you spend with your system the more you recognise the symptoms of a sick or unbalanced system. Anyway remember to have fun and get your kids involved.

 

- Grant

 

PS: Check out my video clips on YouTube about these tests.