Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi
I got an Email last night to say that my 25 European Perch fingerlings were ready.
2” to 3” 5grm. So picking them up next Monday. A bit early because the quarantine system is still cycling and I only installed the Bio-filter today.
The quarantine system is a 250 ltr tank ( 3500 ltr pump in FT) an 80 lltr of clay pellets. Planted with Watercress seedlings and Kale seedlings.
This will be run 15/45 but at the moment is connected to the main system to aid cycling. Average temperature at the moment is around 11*C
The Bio-filter is in two stages. A 20 ltr pre filter with brushes and 50 m of plastic gutter guard etc. The Bio itself is a DIY copy off U tube. 30 ltrs. Spray onto about 4cm of various scourer ‘thinges’ and then scourer pads, bottle tops and 100 bio-balls in a plastic mesh basket cut to fit inside upside down.
The bio-balls I bought off E bay.
Now with hindsight my vision is 20/20. But 21mm balls; 2cm* 2cm* 100 about 4 ltrs I thought. Wrong! I got a pocket full.
Anyway I plan to match PH to source water and salt to 1ppt.
I have a third hospital tank of 70 ltrs cycling which I can, “Up salt” if required.
I plan on three weeks in quarantine (Advise please)
The perch are pellet trained on trout food. However I plan to buy some food from the supplier anyway. They are a big reputable fishery although about two hours journey time from me. I will transport in oxygenated plastic bags.
This is really only my second lot of fish so I am a bit apprehensive.
Thinking ahead. Lots of the info I have read recommends additional live food.
I can buy (Ebay) micro-worm culture for about £2. You keep them warm in a plastic pot and feed them on porridge oats. They do their thing and you harvest them.
Any experience?
Titus

Live food is a lot of work. If they are trained to pellets I'd keep them on pellets.

Topping out at 1mm in length, microworms live up to their name. They are great for feeding baby fish, but adult fish wouldn't even notice they were there.

ps: I know my fish love live food. That's why I let baby caterpillars eat up before I toss them to the fish! Always have to leave one kale bush un-dipel-ed to keep the fish happy.