Thursday, April 23, 2015

AP update 04/19/15

We are waiting for the nitrogen cycle to commence before adding more fish.  The first batch of (10) 1.5" feeder fish died the first night, probably too much stress from cooler water temperature and higher pH than pet store.

When water is reasonably clear, nitrogen cycle is present and general water conditions (temperature and pH) are stable, THEN we will add more goldfish.  I don't think the family can handle another massive fish "friend" die off again.

Day 1 - Starting conditions 04/13/15
  • Temp:  55F
  • pH:  >7.6 (upper limit of test)
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: 0 ppm
  • kH: not measured

Day 6  - 04/19/15
  • Temp: 68F
  • pH:  >7.6 (upper limit of test)
  • Ammonia: 0.5 ppm
  • Nitrite: 0 ppm
  • Nitrate: 0 ppm
  • kH: 70 ppm

In the meantime, I added a seaweed nutrient to the water to get some plants started.  Poured in a whole bag (10.7 ounces) of Maxicrop powder (bag states 1 teaspoon/gallon, our system is ~ 250 gallons)

The Maxicrop turned the water to Guiness (ok, just the color and opacity of Guiness).  Research indicates this should clear up in a couple/few weeks as the plants take up the nutrients.

Planted yesterday and today.



4" starts from Home Depot (Bonnie brand)
  • Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)- start harvesting at 4-6 leaf sets, annual
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)- similar to basil, but lightly first year (year??)
  • Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum)- package: 80 days to harvest at 15-18" tall
  • Orange Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) - package: 70-80 days to harvest at 4-5" long peppers
  • Lemon Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - snip stems as needed after it gets bigger, perennial
 Seeds from Botanical Interests
    Planted 2-5 seeds per piece of cotton ball, placed cotton balls just at grow bed high water line
  • Dwarf Blue Curled Kale (Brassica oleracea) - expect sprouts to emerge in 5-10 days
  • Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) - expect sprouts to emerge in 5-10 days 
     broadcast seeds on top of growbed, attempted to poke down any visible seeds, watered over top to help set seeds into media
  • Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) - expect sprouts to emerge in 5-10 days 
  • Arugula (Eruca sativa) - expect sprouts to emerge in 10-15 days