hi everybody greetings from dublin, ireland:) gonna be building some aquaponic window farms for here… http://www.chocolatefactorydublin.com big old factory windows for some lovely window farms:)) we’re also planning a roofgarden with an aquaponic pollytunnel but thats a different story…..have,nt looked in the posts yet just thought i’d say hello and looking forward to get aquaponic window farming…giddy up

I had fish tanks before and the two types of beneficial bacteria are required to keep ideal water conditions in a fish tank bio filiter are the same for Aquaponics. The first type is called “nitrosomonas,” which are aerobic bacteria that convert deadly ammonia (generated by fish waste and decaying food) into another toxic substance called nitrites. The second type is called “nitrobacter,” which converts the toxic nitrites into less harmful nitrates. Microbes in gravel in established tanks can process nitrates into nitrogen gas which then dissipates (which in large volumes will also stress the fish); can be absorbed by aquatic plants (and algae) as fertilizer; or can be removed from the tank through regular partial water changes.
In a new fish tank, ammonia must be present to start the nitrosomonas colonies, but the ammonia levels should be just enough to feed the bacteria because excesses will harm the fish. The same is true with the nitrobacter – they proliferate in the presence of nitrites but until there are enough colonies to process the nitrites, excesses will cause distress to the fishes. Therefore, the tank’s ability to sustain more fishes improves as the colonies of beneficial bacteria increase.

Because the speed of aquarium cycling depends on how quickly bacterial colonies grow, fishkeeping experts suggest several ways to rapidly proliferate bacteria. The most common method is to migrate bacterial colonies from disease-free established aquariums by moving gravel, décor, or filter media to the new tank.
Preserved nitrosomonas and nitrobacter bacteria can be purchased from reputable fish hobby vendors. I want to jump start my cycle has anyone tried this?

Is anyone using peat to stabilize thier tank PH?