Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

glad the issue was identified!

I sure hope that is the problem. Got the tanks pumping down right now and will be taking the tilapia out and doing a fishless cycle for probably a month.

Helomech,

i don't know what is available in your area but I'd bet that the Agricultural Extension service has an aquatics specialist that could help diagnose the fish problems. I'm sure their labs could do the water testing you need too. You might save some water samples in glass jars until you can find a good lab. it'd be worth some peace of mind to know if heavy metals was the source of the problem.

---D

Thanks DDorminey, not much support in this small town. We have a Ag office, but very little resources. I will save some of the water.

Could you possibly mail some to Texas A&M? Or better yet see if they have an extension office (relatively) nearby. Clemson is great for that kind of stuff and they have extension offices all over the state.

Going to make some calls, I have a sample I am going to keep. Also going to call my vet's office and see if he can help me at all. I doubt he deals with fish, but he might know someone.

One of those test kits you find in the plumbing or safety section of the big box hardware stores can test for heavy metals in drinking water. It could work in AP water too, I'm sure.

See if this helps get you in touch with the right person:
http://agrilife.tamu.edu/locations-window/?KeepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=400&width=600#counties
Apparently one in every county of Texas

Sweet, thanks guys. All of your help is greatly appreciated. Wife has to go to lowes tonight anyways. She is going to look for a test kit.

Here is one. http://www.lowes.com/pd_97428-76109-777 ... facetInfo=

Well H hope this solves your problem.........It has been an interesting read and am sure it will help a lot of people to think outside the square.

Thanks Chainsaw. I got all the fish from the tank (think there were less than 9) in a IBC and will see how they do. These will not be eaten, but I am curious if they can make it or not.

I'm a little surprised anyone is even allowed to sell slag - old slag heaps are a massive land contamination issue.

It may turn out not to be the problem, but elimination of possibilities will always help I guess. Hope it sorts itself out soon...

edit: keep in mind also that even if your water test kit doesn't indicate lead or copper, it could still be any number of metals such as chromium, zinc, molybdenum, cadmium etc

Thanks

I would imagine an intended purpose of selling slag is that it would probibly make a great aggregate in concrete. That would keep it out of landfills, where it would be more likely to leach the heavy metals. In concrete it would be contained, and useful. Because it is a reclaimed material, it would even be considered green to do so.