Well here goes...

[Tommy_B]

Well my levels are finally at the 0 mark! I believe I've completed cycling.

NH3/NH4+: just off 0
N02: 0
No3: 5-10
pH: 8.3

Added some lemon juice this morning. Going to check pH again when I get back from class and make a conscious effort to start bringing it down gradually.

Basil is showing some black spotting as well as the discoloration... It does not look healthy but continues to grow towards my window where the sun spills at a good rate. The lower leaves closer to the GBs that don't get much sun yellowed and fell off. What's the policy on leave detritus in a GB? Should I be getting rid of them as they fall off (which I have been)?

The black spots on the Basil look like burns - which is crazy. I'll see about getting some pictures if I can find my camera.

[Murray]

That's great Tommy,
Basil will do better when the pH is down a bit more, and yes it might be wise to get rid of the fallen leaves. At this early stage the system will not be all that robust.

[Tommy_B]

Algae is getting pretty bad on the FT. I'm hesitant to do anything bout it as I have to move in 4 weeks... I might tape up some construction paper over the glass and see what that'll do. If I add an algae-eating fish I'll just have to give him to Bageera in a few weeks...

[Tommy_B]

Well, today I'm breaking down my little window system. Finally managed to get my pH into the 7.5 range by adding small amounts of distilled vinegar. Taping the construction paper around the FT took care of the algae problem and my lone surviving goldie "Lucky", will find a new home today as well as my basil and rosemary plant. The basil started to regain its green color when the pH came down so the pH lock on the nutrient absorption was definitely the culprit there. Still kept the black spotting on the edges of the leaves which I'm guessing was due to root rot... I'm guessing the ring of PVC I was using was over-watering the plants closest to it. Just guesswork though.

I'll be setting up shop in Vermont in the following month. That'll leave me around 2.5 months before the snow starts piling up. From what I've read it dumps 2-3 feet of snow overnight... Won't be enough time to get a greenhouse up and running but I'll be playing by ear and keep everyone posted on the progress!

Cheers!