Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

ok so my wife noticed bugs in the fish food....
1. will this hurt the fish? i wouldnt think the bugs would but what about there waste?
2. we have had a couple die. could this be the reason?
3. does fish food go bad? shelf life?

I alwas keep my fish food in fairly tight containers for that reason. I reuse the containers the kirkland signature organic animal crackers come in. Not so much because I dont want my fish eating bugs, but because I feel no need to feed bugs.

@arkie
What have you had the most success with as far as your gravel is concerned? Do you see a difference in growth? Where did you get it and how much? Also, how much did you manage to pick up your IBC totes for?

It is with a heavy heart that I say, Arkieeskimo was shot and killed in the line of duty. I am sorry that he didn't get to answer your question, and I have know idea. I myself am trying to figure out his whole system and keep it going. Good luck on your new adventure. - wife of Arkieeskimo

You have my deepest condolences. I am sure everyone on this site will be more than willing to help you with questions you may have about running the system.

Ma'am, I am so sorry about your loss. I too live in the river valley and I just put two and two together. May God bless and nurture you and your family.

I am very sorry to hear such bad news. Thank God for the men and women that serve our country. Please ask any questions you need of us and we will help if we can. I hope you already have instructions on how to run the system. If you do not please let us know.

I have two suggestions for you right away. The first one is don't over feed the fish. They can do without food for a week or two no problems so don't worry about them starving. Over feeding causes high ammonia problems that will kill the fish.
The second is don't put any thing in the fish tank to help the fish but plain salt. If the fish get sick you can use plain salt in the water. You desolve the salt in water and add to the tank so the solution is no more than 3ppm.

Don

The bugs in the feed will feed the fish but waste fish food letting the bugs eat it. You can freeze it to kill the bugs. Bugs will not kill the fish. I have fish food that is at least 1 year old and is still good. If it gets wet it spoils but looks like mold or mildue all over it then.

What a terrible loss for you and your family. I hope that you have the support that you need around you at this sad time and into the future.