Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looks like you've got it going on Mark! Is the outlet GFCI?

Yes, the outlet is gfci and has its own breaker.

Thanks

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I also use city water what I do is just leave it in some type of container for 12 to 24 hours and the chlorine dissipates it works fine for my tilapia and blue gill

For my 2 outside systems I just have 3 55 gallon barrels that I fill up and leave sit for 24 hours before use

For my breeding tank inside I just use a 25 gallon aquarium with aquarium filters and let sit 12-24 hours

Also you need to paint your white barrels algae will become a huge problem specially in our climate

Very nice system tho

My system has been running since the last time I was in the forum and is cycled now.

I covered the GBs and fish tank and my water cleared up pretty quickly.

Today, I had a meeting at Texas A&M Kingsville and took advantage and went to pick up tilapia with Herrmann's Fish Farm in Robstown, Texas. They were very friendly and all the fish survived the trip back home (2:30 hour drive)

I paid for 4 lbs of fish but ended up being approx. 5 lbs and like 25 fish in different sizes from 3 inch to 8 inch.

Only pic I have now is of the fish in the bags. I well try to get some more pics tomorrow.

Anyway, it was a good day! B-) what I'm I saying, it was a GREAT DAY!

btw, the meeting went well.

Have not had time to come back to the forum and update, Sadly :'( it is to update bad news.

The fish had been doing well and that has allowed me to ignore the system a little taking care of other important things (kids).

The plans have never really thrived mostly because of disease and aphids, but have been able to keep the water clean.

Today I came from work to find that water level was low in the sump tank and the pump was running almost dry. This had been one of my problems. High water temperatures (steady on 90 - 92 F day and night), hight evaporation rate.

I have no back up water supply and have been topping up every three days or so with tap water.

Today after work I turned on the water and fed the fish a little, my wife had picked up my niece and wanted us to take her and my girls to the park. She called me in to the house to go change clothes and get ready, and that is what I did. We went to the park and came back at around 9pm and the first thing I did was to go out to finish feeding the fish. Before I turned the backyard light on I notice a fishy smell and that is when I knew something had gone wrong! :-\ I'm so mad at myself for not turning off the water. ALL MY FISHED DIED!

After investigation I came to the conclusion that chlorine/chloramine killed the bacteria causing an ammonia spike killing fish.

I never thought I would feel so bad but I got attached to my fish.

This is going to make start all over again having to cycle again, this time I will do some changes to the system.

ouch. I once left my water on for an hour, the water overflowed, but the fish were fine. There are inexpensive tap timers that shut off automatically. Cheap investment to not make the very same mistake just about everyone on this forum has made. Don't feel too bad, you are not the first person to do it, nor will you be the last. With luck, it will be the last time you make the mistake.

+1 ronmaggi

I have done basically the same thing. left the water running for hours and came back to crystal clear tap water running throughout my system.

Luckily my cats thought the tilapia jumping out of the tank was very interesting to watch out the window so I was able to treat with vitamin c and get the tilapia back into the tank before they died (lost 1). The tank also had catfish and blue gill. I lost zero blue gill and the tilapia died from exposure not chloramines... but i lost about 18 of 22 catfish.

ever since then i do not turn my water hose on without a timer set http://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-Mecha ... e-DV40qZ8E

brian


brian