Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi there folks, first time poster here.

I am new to tilapia and have some questions. I have read quite a bit and watched several youtube videos but as I go on, I realize I (of course) don't know enough.

I have a 55 gal tank with 4 tilapia in it. I believe its 2 males and 2 females. I got them on May 3rd. I have my flower pots and pvc pipe in place and have ample aeration going and a filtration system. The fish are about 4 to 6 inches long and my water has been a constant 78-80 degrees. I feed them a protein pellet a few times a day. I do plan to move my fish to an IBC tote but really wanted to keep them in the tank for a little bit to get some hands on experience first. If anyone would be so kind to answer my questions below I would really appreciate it.

1) I bought an API Pond Master water test kit and tested my water for the first time today.

Nitrate NO2 is bright pink, seems to fall in the 2.0 to 5.0 range.

Ammonia NH3/NH4+ is dark green. Def matches 8.0

Phosphate PO 3-/4 is looks to fall between 5.0 and 10.0

Wide Range pH is a match for 8.0

From what I've read the pH is where it needs to be but the others have me thinking Im about to kill my fish. The only readings I can find online are done in ppm and I dont know how to equate that to my actual readings. Can anyone tell me how bad of shape Im in?

2) The night I put the fish in the tank there appeared to be some mating rituals going on. The last few days, my big male has been inside the flower pot and a darker fish (I presume female) is staying in the corner behind it. This fish does not go out and swim with the others nor have I seen it eat. Her mouth is not pooching though and I dont really see any difference in how she is moving her lips compared to the others. How can I tell if she has eggs in her mouth? I'm not too good at handling them yet as they are quite slippery.

3) Duckweed. I bought me some duckweed to help with the water and to feed them. Put some in the tank and it was eaten in a day or so. Put some in a plastic kiddie pool but it doesnt seem to be growing too well. The leaves are so tiny and look like they might be drying up or something. Its not multiplying at the rate Ive read about. Any tips with this?

Thanks so much for your advice!

This should help you.

Thanks for the video and it was helpful for some of the water questions I had. It seems I need to do a water change to lower the ammonia and Nitrite levels so that will be my project later today. I was at a loss on what color I should strive for on the ammonia chart but that video was much help.

Glad to help

You say you have been handling the fish so with this in mind try sexing your fish,take them out of the tank and turn them upside down,now in front of the anal fin in a male there will be one hole in the female two,google is your best friend here and you should be able to find pics to help you.When you have decided which are males and females only put one male back in the tank,this will save the females getting distressed by the males aggressive behaviour trying to defend his nest.
I think floridafishing has given you the information you need,but just to add you ideally want zero Ammonia and Nitrite,Nitrate you can control with water changes,Ph wants to be 7-7.4,water temp 24c.