Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

People sure are helpful here! So, to summarize and consolidate (and flesh out a bit?):

Minor issues:
1) the galv tank may or may not be problematic, but this is not an immediate issue, and
2) oxygen *may* be an issue due to food, poo, and algae/azolla/etc (diagnostic: fish would show most stress and deaths late at night and early in morning when plants use O2 if it is algae or azolla).

Major issues: the big glaring problems (probable fish killers) here are
1) dangerous ammonia levels (likely to soon be followed by dangerous nitrite levels...) and
2) dangerous(?) chlorine levels (and aging may not take care of it if is chloramine. Agers will, but they release ammonia...)

Solution for ammonia/nitrites:
1) salt (3ppm) for some protection, plus
2) water changes as needed to reduce levels to safe, plus
3) less food to reduce ammonia/nitrite production until bacteria get going, plus
4) close monitoring of ammonia and nitrite levels.

Solution for chlorine: see what you have in your water (call your council(?)) and treat it accordingly. There are threads here on chloramines....

Did I leave anything out? I think I got the gist of the conversation right.....it helps me to clarify my mind if I can clarify it in writing....especially after 1am....

Maybe this summary might be useful to someone else as well rather than simply an annoying waste of time....well, I can hope!

Good luck, Kelly!

That's about it in a nut shell Hydrophilia.... or should that be a "nute" shell...

Thanks guys for all your help. And thanks Hydrophilia for summarizing the conversations. Tested the system after changing the water.Amm. - 1, Temp. -18, pH. - 7.5. Going by the chart that you attached shows we're in the clear.But will keep testing the system every couple of days. Looking back, there was a funny smell around which I now know was the Ammonia. We've put the salt in and will keep feeding to a minimum. When I was growing up we had a pond with 2 gold fish in it and after a while we neglected to feed the fish for years I think it was. They just lived on the algae I suppose.The Chlorine Shouldn't be a problem because we use rain water, with a 10,000lt tank for back up. We had a good year for rain up here in Northampton. we've just received an aerator from BYAP, so O2 will be consistent, and we got rid of the Azolla too. We will deal with the galv tank later down the line. With all that said and done, the fish look a lot calmer but we're still waiting for the marron to revive(looking a bit sluggish).Tried to post a photo of the system prior to fish and plants, don't know if it's worked ( new to this computer stuff sorry )Once again a BIG thanks to all those who contributed.

try again... The system works now its time for fish and plants

Very pretty

put two 90 degree elbows on each of them return pipe to make them face upwards, a lot more aeration for free nearly.

good idea but need to be wary of noise.Even though we're on a farm this is outside our bedroom window.Like your system. It's amazing how many different designs there are, only limited by our imagination heh.Well that and our ( cheepest) recources.

Yes your photo worked Kelly, you are likely to get a lot more practice around here now you know.
Good to see exactly what it looks like. Well done.

Good setup with a nice sized fish tank, looking forward to progress reports and more pics

Love the grow beds.

Imaganitive pipe support too

Got a new camera so taking lots of photos and will try to get time to post them at some stage in the future. Also been given a tank for another grow bed.

we feed the azola to the silvers they absolutely love it.

that totally dismisses that idea, didn't need to kill the plant after all !

Kelly, to summarise MY thoughts.............

in a new setup;

Feed MINIMALLY (every few days?)

monitor ammonia and make water changes where needed (less feed = less emergency water change)

Make sure you have heaps of air going into the water

a plant like duckweed will actively consume ammonia

I would have left the azolla.

keep us updated.

oh and you've already found out that those pool strips are less than useless

Have done a couple of water changes and seem to have things going ok.The tests seem to be fairly consistent. Ph 7-7.4 temp 16 Amm 1. Did however find another dead fish this morning. It was a bit stiff so don't know if I missed it before. Another thing is that 1 of the marron is a bit crook ( maybe ). It lays on it's side like a dog but does move when you go near it. Have heard that they will malt but usually when doing so will stay still and hidden. This guy is in a different spot each time we check the tank. Any ideas?