Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yep - they mostly sink first, then float later. I am afraid that there is probably nothing much you can do, myself and gnash have lost most of our SP, due to cold temps.

If they are small fish, they are mostly likely too cold

I think his tank is a bit too big to be heating it.

Good Luck

Jacinta, I wouldn't recommend leaving the dead fish in the tank...if you have a net then suggest scooping them out...my water hasn't dropped below 14c and I have had no problems with temp and SP deaths as yet - so not sure if this is the cause (tho most likely)

What to do??
Temp swings rather than temp drop (temperature varying by +/- 5c per day) has a greater effect on stressing the fish, so would look at trying to stabilize the temp if possible - covering the tank during the day

Others may be able to add to what nitrites etc could effect fish stress/death at the lower temps

I take it they are not eating at that temp so don't keep feeding (possibly a small feed every 2-3 days and make sure it is eaten)

Keep us all informed of any progress/additional problems if they arise and just about all members will willingly assist

Ell, I think the main problem with sub 15 deg c temps for small Silvers, is no fat storage, they dont eat, then die

You could be right there OBO, sometimes I forget that my fish have had 7 good months of feeding and skip over the small details - none the less, the feed qty should be reduced if fish slow down their eating (normally due to lower water temps) to ensure uneaten pellets aren't left rotting and causing further problems

Hi all,

I haven't posted for a while - I was too demoralised after all my SP froze to death over Winter while I was sweltering in a French Summer. My 7 goldfish managed to survive ok, so I've just kept the system ticking over with them, waiting for the weather to warm up so I can get some more SP fingerlings.

On Thursday, I met a fellow Aquaponicist for the first time ever! RupertofOz delivered me 100 SP fingerlings and helped me settle them in - so far they are doing well, swimming around in ~3500L. They are not surfacing to feed yet, but hopefully when they get a bit hungrier they will compete with the goldfish.

I tidied up 3 of the beds (overgrown with water cress) and scattered various seeds around - some of them have started growing already. Soon I will have a regular AP jungle again!

Glad to hear the fingerlings have settled in Scottie... mine are laying low as well ...

Although, now the tanks cleared a bit... I have seen them take some pellets near the bottom...

Hiya Rupe,



Ditto. I fed the fishies this afternoon & they started feeding on some of the sinking pellets.

It is sooo nice to have (non-gold) fishies again - thanks very much!

I wish I knew what happened to our warm weather though ...

Scottie.

My silvers laid low for a couple of days. Now they come if you walk near the pool.

I need some advice ...

Plant growth in my system is bugger-all, yet I'm feeding most days. In fact, I'm feeding much less than last Summer when plant growth was very good.

I just measured PH - it is somewhere between 6.8 & 7.2.

Nitrates are zero & have been for a while - why? why? why? As you can see from the last photo, there's not many plants in my beds.

Any advice muchly appreciated.

Scott.

How much are you feeding Scottie....

I'm giving mine (same number, same time stocked)...about 15gms in the morning and about 20gms in the evening.....

I still haven't fully cycled (from scratch), still running at nitrite=1.... but nitrates are 40+.... with no plants.....

Do they rise to their food now??

You have too many plants for the amount of food you are feeding 100 fingerlings, thats all.

You could add a bit of humonia or some urea to keep it all ticking along

Don't forget that being cycled is not a binary condition - the number of bacteria and even the type of bacteria (cold or warm weather) grow and shrink based on the conditions. Is it particularly cold? Maybe your warm weather bacteria are not active at those low temps... ammonia / nitrite?

Another thing that might be happening is that you might have an anerobic environment in there that is offgassing nitrates (RSG style).

After 1/2 doz beers this arvo i just put more amonia in my system

fish!