Backyard Aquaponics
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/

New member advice
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=15699
Page 1 of 1

Author:  hillsy's [ Mar 16th, '13, 23:53 ]
Post subject:  New member advice

Hi Everyone, We are new to aquaponics and loving it!

We have come across a few queries but my query today is that we have very small 'worms' in our IBC system water and don't know whether it's a good or bad thing?
We first noticed mini tadpoles (2-3mm) swimming only at night and dead on the side during the day but today whilst checking the air stones we found string like tiny worms (4-6mm) alive and clinging to the air stone pipes in the tank water.
The water is also green/brown and won't clear up.
Our system has 6 large barramundi, who are very happy and healthy. We set the system up in January, so it's only about 7-8 weeks old.
We have had to pull some plants out and we've replaced them with others.
Our tank has a double layer of shade cloth around it and we put up a shade sail 2 weeks ago.

Our Ammonia is 0, Nitrite 0 and Nitrates 5, PH 8.2.

We have had other teething problems but I thought I'd start with the question that has stumped me and I haven't found any info about.

Any help about this or general topics like aphids/ladybirds etc would be very helpful.
Thanks

Author:  Charlie [ Mar 17th, '13, 07:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: New member advice

Welcome hillsy :wave1:

Can you post up a pic of the little wrigglers and your system for us, it helps to answer your questions. I was thinking mosquito larvae but I need to see what they look like.

Cheers

Author:  hillsy's [ Mar 17th, '13, 10:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: New member advice

Hi,
I have attached three photos, more to come.
Two are of the system when installed, the other is of the 'worms' today.

We did think Mosquito larvae too but they don't like running water but these seem to really enjoy it plus they don't look like them. They seem to have two heads and thinner in the middle. They do wriggle alot so the photo probably isn't the best.
The first bug we found that looked like tiny tadpoles were the shape of a tadpole.

Thanks.

Attachments:
File comment: Our Barra Jan 2013
P1271404 (640x480).jpg
P1271404 (640x480).jpg [ 102.71 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]
File comment: Our Complete system Jan 2013
P1271396 (640x480).jpg
P1271396 (640x480).jpg [ 225.3 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]
File comment: Worms?
P3171617 (640x406).jpg
P3171617 (640x406).jpg [ 161.67 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]

Author:  hillsy's [ Mar 17th, '13, 10:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: New member advice

Some photos of our plants

Attachments:
File comment: Our Plants March 2013
P3171618 (640x480).jpg
P3171618 (640x480).jpg [ 235.37 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]
File comment: Our Growbed March 2013
P3171614 (640x480).jpg
P3171614 (640x480).jpg [ 248.64 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]
File comment: Another photo of our Barramundi
P1271406 (640x480).jpg
P1271406 (640x480).jpg [ 156.45 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]

Author:  hillsy's [ Mar 17th, '13, 10:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: New member advice

These photos show the condition of our water which apparently should have cleared by now and hasn't which prompts me to ask if these worm like bugs are the cause?
Everything regarding the water is otherwise perfect. The fish are happy too.

Attachments:
File comment: Dead 'tadpoles' on side of tank.
P3171613 (640x480).jpg
P3171613 (640x480).jpg [ 154.99 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]
File comment: Our green/brown water March 2013
P3171612 (640x480).jpg
P3171612 (640x480).jpg [ 194.72 KiB | Viewed 937 times ]

Author:  Dave Donley [ Mar 17th, '13, 23:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: New member advice

Looks like you should shade the tank more IMO. Regarding critters in the system, usually the more the merrier and the critters will balance each other out. Algae likes a high pH.

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC + 8 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
https://www.phpbb.com/