Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all! I am a newbie on here

About 5 weeks ago, I set up an IBC chop and flip aquaponics system. I have started cycling with a few goldfish (5 to be exact), and have planted out a few seeds in the grow bed already (although I know they may not do well until the cycle is established). I have been testing the water every other day for the 5 weeks, and my ammonia levels are at around 4ppm and have been for about 3 weeks now, but there is still no signs of nitrites or nitrates. The fish are still ok (goldfish are pretty hardy), but I was expecting that I might have got some bacteria in there by now.
My question is this: We have a very well established pond in the backyard (has koi in it). Can I use some of the filter media from the pond to kickstart the cycle in the aquaponics? I was thinking of just rinsing/squeezing the slime from the filter out into the media bed, to see if I can get the bacteria colonising and starting to eat my ammonia up. Has anyone done this, and what sort of success have you had?

Thanks in advance!

Hiya Gecko, welcome to the forum. Yes adding some water from an existing pond can help along the bacteria and if you know it’s disease free that’s even better. Not sure about the slime though couldn’t say if algae is a carrier. Just be wary if chemicals have been added to the water as you will be eating the produce from the system.
Hope this helps.

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Skeg In The Hills.

5 Gold fish wont run an aqua system are you feeding goldfish food if so that is only designed to keep them alive thats all you will need about 20 and feed them commercial food that will produce waste to run the system

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If it/s free pick it up
If it isent broke dont fix it

Food&Fish, you have a valid point about it.

And if we're talking about pond filters, what do you think about these over here ( link: https://mygardenzone.com/best-pond-filters/ ). A friend of mine has model called TetraPond Clear Choice Biofilter PF-1 for efficient filtration, and it seems like it's one of the best from that list. Would you choose it?