Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I got 40 tilapia two day ago. I have started feeding two very small handful of aquamax. They don't seem to eat and food just floats. Ph is 7.6. Ammonia 2.0 PPM. There is a thin layer of algae inside tank, so maybe they are full. Temp is 84. They just seem to hide in the bottom of the tank, any suggestions?

I dont know much about talapia or aquamax but I watched this cool vid of bass feeding on aquamax here http://www.aquamaxbass.com/

My only question is that is the feed too big for them to eat? I suspect you have a smaller grade.


Possibly its better to lay off the feed for a few days till they find comfort at there new home.

I would not feed with ammoina at that level.

The first feeding seemed to go well. Even the smaller ones were eating pellets. Matter of fact the smaller ones were eating the most. When I put them in there was 0 nitrite o ammonia and nitrate was 20-40 PPM. I guess time will tell, unless someone has another suggestion.

Is the system cycling or cycled? What is the filtration setup for this system?

I did fish less cycling for three weeks using ammonia and letting plants start growing. I have about 20 plants and getting ready to add some more. I don't have any filtration I thought the plant were supposed to provide the filtration.

i would say that your cycling did not complete.. that's why you have high ammonia readings.. next will come high nitrite readings that will also be dangerous for the fish.. you may want to consider salting your system now to help the fish (3ppt is usually recommended)
as recommended above, don't feed until your ammonia drops (the fish will be fine for a couple weeks!)

I would follow keith's suggestion of salting the system. The salt will help with the Nitrite levels as the ammonia is converted. Tilapia are pretty durable but at a pH of 7.6 and Temp of 84 degrees with a TAN of 2mg/L your unionized ammonia levels will be toxic. Check the table at the middle of this page http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/totalammoniachart.jpg



I would also look for and remove -
1. any feed that's still in the tank
2. any fish that may have died (they don't always float)

Both my ammonia and nitrite levels were zero for a few weeks prior adding fish I thought naturally the ammonia and nitrate levels would spike with addition of fish. I will try adding some salt and look forward to any other suggestions.

I was just reading that I can use egg whites any thoughts? Isn't this better than salt for plants

the salt will be ok with the plants unless you have strawberries in, you need to salt your system to 1-3ppt to help your fish, the salt will make them build a slime coating to maybe help them cope with any toxic levels that may come

i use this link to calculate my levels http://www.cnykoi.com/calculators/calcnh3c.asp

some people will use eggwhites to help "clarify" the water.. it does to this by acting as a flocculant (dirt sticks to it), but then sinks to the bottom of the tank.. where it will start to decompose..so you should siphon it out..

Just wanted to give a summary and update.

Started fishless cycling with ammonia three weeks ago. Ammonia and Nitrite levels got to zero and stayed that way for a week. Tested water the day before added fish:
Ph: 7.6
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm.
Temp: 84

Added 40 small tilapia:
Day After
Ph 7.6
Ammonia 2 PPM
Nitrite Not tested
Nitrate Not tested
Temp 84

Added 3 ppt Salt yesterday

Tested this morning
Ph 7.6
High Ph 7.4
Temp 82
Ammonia .5 PPM
Nitrite 5 PPM
Nitrate 40 PPM

Have not feed fish in two days; what do you guys think I should do now, water clear up some and can at least to the bottom of the FT they all are alive. Should I just give it another day and monitor not feeding fish, add another round of salt, or what?

By the way thanks for all the help you guys are great. I have many people interested in getting involved with AP but I'm the guinea pig.

Be patient and do not feed. The fish can go for quite awhile without eating (Probably not weeks like the older fish can go though). Your Ammonia and Nitrites are still a problem and they need to come down. It could take a day or longer so don't rush it. I'd just leave the salt the way it is.