Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone,

I still have about 10 Trout left which seem to be really growing fast and apart from the odd hot day, seem to be managing quite well.

My FT is covered with a large synthetic shade sail thing with shade cloth over the top and all around the sides, so no sun can get to the water or the tank.

The highest temp the water has got to in that last hot spell was 22deg. Trout were not interested in food, so I just abstained from feeding them for a day or so.

Anyhow what I want to do is get some more fish into the tank, mainly Silvers is what I want.

Now the last time I tried to introduce new fish, it was a disaster, I lost all my 14mth old silvers, so this time I want to make sure that neither the existing Trout or the new fish suffer any disease or bug.

My plan was to get the Silvers which are about 50mm long and keep them in a 160lt tank that I have, with just a filter aerator, for a few days, then move them into the main tank, and keep them enclosed in a basket until either all the Trout are gone or they are big enough to set free.

If I do this I would make sure to salt the holding tank to sterilise the Silvers but what quantity of salt should I use, also I assume that I should also ensure the main tank is salted as well.

Things I need to know are.

Firstly is it practical to mix fish? or should I just wait until the Trout are all gone?
Secondly how long to leave Silvers in the holding tank
Thirdly how much salt to use in holding tank and also the main tank....presently use 1kg to 1000lt

Any ideas, thoughts, advice, would be greatly appreciated.

JackieD
Jarrahdale

I would harvest the trout and then re stock the tank with the silvers, I think you will have problems with the Silvers with both your other options. Silver Perch stress very easily and would be dead or eaten within a week if you add them directly to the tank with the trout. Keeping them in the basket for an extended period will also cause them to stress and die going on past experience from some of my customers.
If you dont want to harvest the trout yet you could look into setting up a separate tank for fingerlings, an IBC could easily be incorporated into your existing set up for that purpose.

Thanks for your replies, I have done just that.