Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

G'day,

Hapy Oz day

I put my arm in the tanks to net some leaves and couldn't beleive how hot the waters got over the last few days of heatwave conds in perth!!! It's currently sitting on 35deg C !!!!!!

The SP seem ok still and are feeding, but I'm freaking out a little... Also getting a spike in ammonia and nitrites, so worried the whole system is a little stressed. Am I being overly worried? Do you think I should try a 30% water change to bring down the temp a little? I'm worried if I do this without aerating the water first I might introduce too much chlorine killing of the biofilter...

System details; 2 x IBC (~1800L) CHIFT PIST with 6 half blue barrel beds.

Grow media is pea gravel, so I think this may also be contributing to heating the system as it's been very hot to touch.

Anyway, would appreciate some adivce.

Thanks!

Edit: forgot to mention, I've got 50 SP fingerlings in the tanks at the moment and they're still very small (~4cm).

Gday Antisense, im just round the corner from you and have likewise been worried about the temperature the last few days, although my system hasn't got over 32 yet. I had a bit of a search of other threads and it seems oxygenation can be a problem with hot conditions, and with that many fish Id be getting as much air into the water as possible. Other than that any advice would be welcome!

the growbeds are the major heating source. My fishtank is a buried IBC and the water temp is still quite warm . I don't have a thermometer so can't tell exactly what it is. my SP seem happy enough.

Guys....guys....guys! you need to stop stressing right NOW! Trust me I am running 37deg in my FT right now and all is welll, SP are a very sturdy fish and if your filtration per stock level is within our specified perimeters well then you will be fine!!!!! Silvers are very strong fish! and trust me they love the warmth, they will be fine. If you are out of our recommended perimeters well then god help you....

Wow, 37deg Charlie Are slow cooked SP more tender or something?

Not sure if this helps but I have reduced my timer to come on every second hour during the hottest part of the day. The plants seem fine and the water temp hasn't got above 30deg in the last week. But then again if the SP are loving it then it doesn't matter anyway.

Or you can put your timer on constantly... effectively constant flow/flood... during the day... to minimise heat transfer from the media...

And set to 15/15 during the night... to pull as much cool air through as possible....

cool thanks for all the replies

I'll see how things go over the next few days. Great idea on the constant flood rup. that would hopefully help keep things cool. Might convert a couple of beds and see if they stay much cooler.

cheers