Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Interestingly the water temps is up in double figures when I get home these days. I think the short stint of cold cloudy days is over and we're back to cold sunny days. However the sun + 300 watt heater is enough to get the temp up. So I've scaled back the heater, 8 degrees seems good enough for things to be progressing.

I have also received my greenhouse material from redpath and sewn some sleeves into it.

Unfortunately one of my goldies karked it. No idea why. Just dead. I'm trying to reduce the salinity of the system from 5 down to 3, so maybe it didn't like that (even though it's only just under 5 at the moment). Maybe it was the temps? Maybe it was me feeding too much? Maybe the little fella got too close to the 300 watt heater and burnt himself? Who knows.

any suicide note?

None found, but it might be written in watermark font or something I'm just not used to reading.

Bad jokes aside I have put up my greenhouse cover. Photos and temperatures to come.

Been a while since I posted. Caught up with a blog entry which you can read here (http://athoughtadrift.com/gemmell/2008/ ... -part-vii/).

Here is an appetiser:


Not bad for a goldie eh? I got given 20 of them:


Massive compared to my other ones:


Read the blog for details on greenhouse, flexibacter photos and blah blah blah uninteresting stuff like that. Checkout those fishies! How exciting!

Oh by the way, has anyone here successfully setup and underwater webcam? Would be a great way to get a nice closeup view of them to diagnose problems early.

I think a window in the FT might be an easier way.. Unless your tank is buried like mine.

Nah because the fish will still see you through it and go to the other side of the tank. Unless you mean putting in a window and then just putting a webcam on the dry side. Sounds like a lot of work. It's a shame nobody sells an OTS submersible webcam.

Windows only work when tank is stocked to the max

I had my water tested. He said lead was fine, which was what I was conerned about, but Nickel was just over the recommended level for drinking water.


A quick search deemed that this could be affecting fish health....does it sound likely that my bathtubs are leeching nickel into the water? Anyone got a solution?

some nickel details:
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/gdwqrevision/nickel2005.pdf

I enjoyed reading your blog, I found it really entertaining, honest and down to earth. I like how you have a "won't be beaten attitude." At least you seem to be having fun and thats what it is all about and thats how we learn too.

Hey Gemmell.

I like the idea of an underwater webcam, but think the main issue would be lack of light.

F&F - you've just reminded me of my intention to put a window into one of my tanks. Oh well, one day - after the chook pen is finished, compete with auto door (chicken chopper)

Thanks for the encouragement, I'll try and keep it up.



Some webcams have led lights around the rim to provide more light. Also, you could add an external light source or just use sunlight. I think mine would be OK during the day because it gets a fair bit of direct sunlight. Anyway, i'll put it on the list of "things to do" - which is now about 2km long.

Check these bugs - anyone know what they are and why they're arranged around the sac?

Great pics Simon... you should enter them into the comp...

I'm guessing that they're hanging around after hatching and eating their yolk sacs perhaps??

P>S.... did you get my email??

Hello everybody. Long time no post. I've had some problems. Once again, plants are healthy as, fish are dead as. I've done a big ol' post on my blog, it includes pictures of plant growth, and numerous pictures of unhealthy fish. In particular I think I've had Ich, Hole in the head, and Dropsy.... But if someone with a bit more experience just pop on over and take a look I would love to be corrected. I think soon my blog will be the most comprehensive photos of fish diseases available on the net.

http://athoughtadrift.com/gemmell/2009/ ... part-viii/

Take a look. If you can tell me whats wrong with those fishy's, or whether I'm way off the plot with my diagnosis of why it's happening, I'm all ears. As I said in the blog, I'm planning a bigger system. In ground pond (so it's insulated), 7000L of water, pumps up to the back of the garden where I have some beds or possibly NFT, then it drains back and acts as the waterfall. Thats the plan anyway.