Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, here are a couple of photos of my IBC AP System that's been running for about 4 weeks now. It currently has 50 Silver Perch Fingerlings about 7cm long. I'm new to Aquaponics, and I have been thinking about putting a couple of Crayfish into my Radial Flow Filter to help breakdown the solid waste and uneaten fish food. I have added shrimp into my DWC to help keep the roots of my lettuce clean and they seem to be doing a great job, but I'd like some feedback on the addition of Crays to the RFF. What are your thoughts or suggestions? Cheers.


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50 perch is overstocked in a system that size sorry. I think you need to more around the 15 - 20 mark.

Oh sure, I plan on reducing the numbers once they get bigger, I'm currently building another system and will remove some of the perch for that. Any comments or suggestions on Crayfish in the RFF?


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I don't have any advice re the crays, but will watch with interest. An intriguing idea!
Glad to hear you'll cut down on the number of fish in that system, especially in such a young system. I killed 50 Jades when I first started by not reading the ammonia toxicity chart and having a high ph. Bummer.
I really like how tidy your setup is mate. Nice job. I hope to do an expansion of my system soon and I think I'll copy that FT stand. Is there a big sump under that?

Bummer indeed mate, in that case I'll definitely be reducing my numbers! Yes there is about a 450L sump under the 2 Grow Beds. Here is my latest YouTube Vid on my system if you want to check it out properly. Cheers mate.

http://youtu.be/ZJTVMQO2VQo


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What sort of crayfish are you referring to, I assume redclaw as your in QLD? Either way most freshwater crustaceans are omnivores and eat a wide variety of organic matter but I'm unsure what nutritional value they will take from wish wastes in a RFF. I think if anything they may disturb the efficiency of the waste settling of the RFF so may not be ideal. Give it a try and let us know.

Watched the youtube vid mate. Nice. I like the venturi's. Very interesting.
Those fish are tiny, I'd say if your ph and ammonia are ok you've got some time. Not that I'm an authority on anything
cheers.

Hi Charlie, yes I was thinking Redclaws. My main line of thought was that if they would eat uneaten fish food and fish waste that they would farther breakdown the fish waste unlocking more nutrients, plus decrease food wastage by eating the uneaten fish food. Good point about the settlement disturbance, I hadn't thought about that.


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Yeah Tallman, they are really small atm. Tell you the truth I haven't even tested the PH or ammonia levels yet. Where would I purchase a test kit?


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BYAP sell them or some aquaria websites if you can't find local. Look for the API freshwater master kit as it has all the essentials.

Maybe try a cray in the RFF if it doesn't work our put some in the raft.

Cheers mate, I appreciate it. Will do!


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Yep!... I've never understood this idea people have that crayfish like to eat fish sh!t. I've lost count of how many posts I've seen where people are planning on adding crayfish to clean up or reduce the amount of fish waste in the system.

If you had a choice of a Street's Magnum ice cream or a Paddle Pop made from cow sh!t... which would you take?... even if was starving to death I wouldn't eat a popsicle made from excrement... of any description... not even Scarlett Johansson's!

Aww, come on. You would at least try it once if she asked you to!

How hot a day is it when I am offered this popsicle?

Sickos, the both of you!