Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Yes FF I agree the Zinc no doubt had major part to play in the overall picture, however if the rest of the stock have been exposed to both the Zinc and the Dropsy then the problem will remain.

The main thing to remember is that once exposed to Dropsy sydrome [or any other major upheaval] then have the stock not already been contaminated?

Also, as with other virus bsed illnesses, once they are affected by the Dropsy syndrome these fish are likely to fall to the same situation should a spike of some form strike the stock again?

So I still maintain a complete sanitation of the system is the safest and surest method to ensure that all has been done to try to remove and prevent future events. [This, in the natural course of action, should occur after the Zinc problem is irradicated].

I totally agree that is the best way but it will also kill the bacteria and that means cycling again. What about emptying the tanks and growbeds, painting them and refilling them. This would remove most of the disease and zinc and then instead of flushing with bleach just salt to 5ppt for 3 weeks? My system has been salted like this twice with no major effect on plants.However having said that, if it was my system and i had few plants i would flush with bleach and re-cycle it. For a fresh start and peace of mind.

Looks like it is down to you Jimmy, good luck which ever way you go

It's one thing I've never tried either (starting again). If you follow my progress at all, you'll see that I've had every disease that fish can get. I eventually concluded that this is actually due to the Nickel, not anything else. Basically a healthy fish can fight stuff off. But once you add a heavy metal into the picture that supresses immune system, they become very unhealthy.

I never purged my system, and I kind of wish I had, but you need to solve the zinc problem FIRST. Or they're just going to catch something else (I had Ich and a bad case of FlexiBacter/Fin Rot). If you ever need a referal for sick fish, my "Fish Obituaries" is a good place to start (a friend told me that my blog was like seeing the fish obituaries).

Yes, and to do this I think I need to do three things.
(1) Jettison the water that is currently in there (purge the zinc, bacteria, viruses)
(2) Seal the growbeds to prevent further leaching of zinc
(3) Re-start the system using mains (basically zinc-free) water

So as it stands, I've started things in reverse by connecting up the mains and topping up the system. Great.

Emptying the growbeds will be a pain, and I'll lose my first load of plants (not that they're doing particularly well thanks to the undersupply of nitrogen). And, being a FRONTyard system there'll be lots of explaining to the TYS crowd walking past. (TYS = "Told You So")

BUT I really think it has to be done. As I said, Dad's system never succeeded and I really think it could be down to our reluctance to purge the water - we always thought it could be brought under control via other, more "controllable" factors like temperature...

Just be a little careful of any built-up sludge in the GBs gravel - that may harbour more zinc than the water.

Good point steem

I'll be pulling the gravel out to line the growbeds anyway, so any sludge in the bottom can be mopped out at the same time. I guess I can hose down the gravel again at the same time.

Happy times!

Extra AP credit for washing your gravel twice.

Bummer, but looking forward to how it goes once you get all the hard work done again!!!!

Compared to digging the ponds, emptying the water & growbeds should be a breeze

Okay, I've emptied, lined and refilled the growbeds. Have posted pics and details on the "Zinc" topic.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4919&p=180299#p180299

Now I need to flush the system and drain all the water. Given my tanks are underground this will be a little time-consuming! Hope to get onto it this week.

When is trout season?

I'm thinking this is going to be our last few warm days for a while. I'd be getting ready for next week.

Erik,

Please elaborate! Do you mean I should or shouldn't be moving ahead? I know cold weater will retard the development of the bacteria in the growbed.

I'm only thinking of 10 goldfish to start things cycling for a month or so, then if all's well I'd get some (say 30) trout fingerlings.

Perhaps this is not a good idea?

Cheers,
James.

Jimmy, tis trout season. Get on it. I got mine tuesday, we had a couple of 32 degree days (but my water temps were 19). DOn't miss out - last year I was too late, having goldies for a full year is really dissapointing.