Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

GPs or Tan Tans ?

Problem I have is that the cold weather starts a lot earlier up here so I probably have about two, maybe three more months of good growing weather, after that I guess I will find out how well the GPs eat in cold weather.

Noticed something interesting while outside cleaning the shed (finally got time)..

The original silvers that I had in the pond (sump) are out and swimming with the tan tans, generally they are hiding from their own shadows. They have grow considerably since I baught them, I would say at least double in length, couldn't possibly guess how much they weigh.

H.

The gp's Himzol.
We don't have them on our list here yet (in the process of adding them) and will be interested to see how they feed in the cold weather to see if they are really any better than silvers.

Oh Ok,

Well to start with they do seem to be feeding a lot better in the aquarium where they have to compete for the food with the silvers. I've been feeding these a little often in order to fast track their growth. It must be workin as the other half says she can actually see them from across the room now.

On the subject of GPs, I think I just had my first HSM.
I thought I'd sprinkle a bit of food for the little buggers in the "green Bin" and noticed a shiny flash coming from one of the grow beds. On closer inspection I found 8 little GPs sunning them selfs. They had squeezed under the pick up tube and swum onto the grow bed.

I've put some mesh in the way to stop this happening again, but will have to keep a close eye on the thing so it doesn't clog.

Lucky for me I have firewood to cut, no therapy like chainsaw therapy.

H.

Yes - it is a little known and little used therapy...outside of the BYAP fraternity

yeah, I've had to use it more and more lately... that's why I have two weeks away from work..

An update on my system, I replaced the screening material on the pick up tube with an old foot valve which I had, I removed the spring and viola.

I've put a bigger air pump on the aquarium setup and also added some bits of plastic pipe for the smaller fish to hide in, Last couple of nights I've found three dead, all small, so I suspect there may be some predation happening after lights out.

The GPs in the Green Bucket outside have settled down and are feeding, although I think they are getting competition for the insects from a little frog which has found the system. Pics to come,

The Silvers in the sump pond and the tan tans are swimming around a bit more, less skitish (sp) than they have been in the past, probably a saferty in numbers thing.

Himzo.

I reckon that skittishness relates to being pond reared himzol. I noticed it in mine too. If i ever get my broodies to spawn, it will be interesting to see how the young silvers react around ppl having been tank reared from day one.

You could be onto something there, the ones I have in the aquarium aren't anywhere near as frigtened as the ones outside.

Coudent you get therapy with these

oh, now you're going to get Les all excited

mmmm nice...

I think Les would be real welcome by the boys on this site: http://www.arboristsite.com/index.php

Before anybody asks yes I am a memeber of that forum as well as several other forums that deal with woodworking.

H.

Get excited!!!!!! :blob7:

...hang on, gotta book meself in for a heart bi-pass operation - pace maker over load

I was noticing that a number of my plants were showing signs of being potassium deficient.

I had some Yates Sulphate of Pottash which I use on the dirt garden, I couldn't find anything which stated that it was bad for fish so added some to my growbeds.. waiting to see what happens, hope the fish will be OK.

Three of my Tan Tans died in the last couple of days, no obvious signs as to why. Could be a cold weather issue as we have had some unseasonaly cold nights here and I doubt the little fellers have had a chance to put on some fat since arriving. The bigger fish seem to be OK.

Hi Folks I'm having a bit of a HSM....

yesterday I discovered three of my Tan Tans dead and today a further four have joined them...

water temp is 16 Degrees C.

Ammonia is zero
NO2 is zero
NO3 is a little high close to 160 (Actually it's closer to 80 when you look at it without panic)
PH is 7.6

Any help would be appreciated, I still have a few Tan Tans I would like to hang onto. silvers in the same area are not being effected.

H.

What do the deads look like? Are they fresh dead? Then is there skin dry?
Maybe you could get some in the aquarium to check'em out closer?

Could be NO3 issue as silvers can hold higher levels of it than other fish.
Maybe a bit of a water change or plant transplant, or duckweed solution.