Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

HELP.

Hi there,

We’re in need of some help/advice.

We're using a 330 gallon tote/IBC for the fish. We set up our system around Feb and went through the cycling system. Our levels are consistently: Ph 7.6, Ammonia 0 to 0.25ppm, Nitrites 0ppm Nitrates 0 to 5.0ppm. Earlier in the spring the water temperature was down at 52 degrees, now it’s up to 78 degrees. The problem is we're having at least one Koi die every couple of days (the fish are between 3 and 5 inches) and they all look perfectly healthy, gills are a nice colour, no fungus, spots or ragged fins or ulcers just a healthy looking fish that's dead. The fish are all active and eating well, we have good aeration (3 large air stones and a pipe dripping water onto the waters surface. We're at a loss at what to do, I hate to lose any fish but to lose them at this rate is criminal especially when they appear to be healthy???? It's driving me mad and very sad as to why they're dying. Any suggestions you could make would be really welcome. We have tried salt (1kg in the whole system which including the beds is around 500 gallons) but to no avail. Our plants are on the whole healthy looking, some are slightly light green but nothing bad.

Not sure where to go from here.

Hi Dave,

Sorry to hear about your fish. My first suggestion is to post some pics of your system and if you can get a pic or two of a fish that has either just died or is near death, we may catch something you missed. Based on your description of the fish there are several possibilities - swings in pH (lots of algae?), swings in temp (is the tank in the sun), a toxic reaction (metals, plant matter...), an internal infection (not likely but ). Some information about what they are being fed might also help (goldfish are durable but have some weak spots).

Look for any metals in the system in the form of plumbing, any overhanging trees (sometimes types of plants can be toxic or cause problems if eaten). Is there is a lot of decaying material or uneaten food on the bottom of the tank? Do you have lots of algae in the system?

Hope this gives you some ideas - get some pictures posted if you can