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
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
- Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) - expect sprouts to emerge in 5-10 days
- Arugula (Eruca sativa) - expect sprouts to emerge in 10-15 days