H2Oponics

Hey folks! Welcome to my inaugural post. This blog is going to document my progress in developing a fully functioning aquaponics tank. I purchased this Aquasprouts system from a Kickstarter campaign. Hopefully, someone will comment when I'm going to do something stupid or can offer advice to yield a better crop and/or fish conditions.

Setup

I am not currently using any grow lights. The tank rests on two Ikea furniture pieces which are zip-tied at the center legs, in an upstairs room we call the Ikea Room (because it's almost exclusively furnished by furniture from there). Windows wrap 80% of the adjacent north and east walls. Thus, there's a good deal of light during the day since we don't have any curtains in it.  Because of the abundance of sunlight, the tank will be at risk for algae. The other factor to consider is the heat from the room; being in a upstairs, brightly lit location.

The 10 gallon tank has been cycling for the past seven days. I'm not putting any fish into it until the ammonia levels come down and there is a nitrate spike. I used some of the water, 5 to 10%, from an old 5 gallon aquarium that I just retired after emptying it through attrition (as fish died, they weren't replaced). It mostly held Zebra Danios and a female Guppy. I also put a minuscule bit of cat pee, for the ammonia source, to start a fishless cycle. I have read that this is okay, but chime in if you have other ideas.

The water pump in the tank, which cycles the water into the grow bed, is set to run 15 minutes every hour.

Seeds

These are the seeds for my inaugural crop. I would like to grow rosemary or mint if it is possible for this method.

1. Chives
2. Basil
3. Cilantro
4. Thyme
5. Small jalapeño peppers

The Show So Far

I noticed some very small sprouts in a few days after sprinkling the seeds onto the growth bed. Additionally, there are some seeds that made it into the tank itself that are sprouting. I’m debating whether to fish them out to place into the growth bed, or observe their development along with what is growing in the bed.

I am continuing to monitor the tank vitals in order to add fish. The ammonia reading varies between 0.5 and 1 ppm. The Nitrites are steady at 0.5, Nitrates are also steady at 20. I don’t know if I should do anything to change these numbers or just to let it ride to see if changes happen naturally. It's strange that the ammonia level is not changing, at 0.5 - 1 ppm, and I have more nitrates than nitrites. I can’t put any fish in there until the Ammonia levels are almost zero and the Nitrates spike. 

Numbers

Source	Reason	Date	5 in 1					Ammonia	Temp °C
			GH	KH	pH	NO2	NO3	NH3/NH4
Aquasprouts	Initial Test; no additives	23-Apr	180	80	7.0	0	0	0.25
Aquasprouts	After dechlorenator	25-Apr	180	80	6.5	0	20	1.00
Aquasprouts	After a fish died (too soon)	28-Apr	180	80	6.5	0	20	1.00
Aquasprouts	Cycling test	29-Apr	180	80	7.0	0.5	40	0.50
Aquasprouts	Cycling test	30-Apr	180	80	7.0	0.5	20	1.00
Aquasprouts	Cycling test	1-May	180	80	7.0	0.5	20	0.50	22º

Fish

For the fish, I may keep Zebra Danios and/or Guppies.  I hear that Goldfish are dirty for an aquarium. Any ideas for or against these breeds?