Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The water in one of our commercial AP system has recently become infested with millions of tiny "flea-like" bugs swimming in the water. They are tiny and only just visible to the (my) naked eye. I took a sample and magnified 200x times. Attached the images. Do you know what they are? How we can get rid of them? And where did they come from? If they get onto your skin the bite like crazy and the Tilapia don't eat them.

urgh! That sux!
bitey things that fish wont eat! Hope you get rid of them. All I could suggest would be a tight filter with a strong pump. then hang them out to dry.

I think I've found what they are. Freshwater Ostrocods. I have no idea how they got into the system but apparently they are not harmful. Here's a link;

http://flickr.com/photos/34894709@N00/2950687428/

I have a friend who feeds them to his small ornamentals.

There's a recent thread on ostrocods. Seems the solution is to stock a fish that eats them.

Actually two solutions- stocking fish that eat them or aeration.