Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks faye. Now that I know the reason, I know what to do.

I just checked my pH at 3pm today. Sun is out. pH is 8.2+
Was 7.8 early this morning before the sun came out.

I have been reading around the internet today. I believe the pond went green because of algae growth. And I think the greening of the water may have coincide with the sunny patches of weather we had over the last week.

I will check the pH this evening when the sun has got down and find out what the pH is.

Ivan I have algae on the walls of one tank, have put up some shade to stop the sun, My last system had algae growing in the mesh I had in tank, so covered tank with a tonnaeu cover 3/4's, but I doubt this caused green water definetly over feeding or uneaten food caused my problem, OBO suggested on a visit that his tanks turn green occasionally and is all part of the process, my system is still clear and stringy algae abounds one side of 1 tank, rising pH may cause some concerns if you Amm gets above 2, I think try pumping all day and go back to normal cycle at night, when system 1 went green I pumped 24/7 for a week and cleared, don't know if it was coincidental or it worked, was warmer then so is why I suggest less pumping at night, plants will be ok I feel

Ahh.... I found two floaters tonight. And a couple of them are gathering at the water surface. Possibly might lose a few more tomorrow.

pH 7.8
Amm 0.5
Nitrite 0
Did not test Nitrate.
Temp - Freezing... possibly below 10degC.

They look like they are trying hard to breathe.

The only thing I can think of is the algae is releasing carbon dioxide into the tank and taking away oxygen. Probably don't have enough aeration from the BYAP ac/dc pump.

Hey Iv have you upped the pumping cycle to 24/7?

Yes I have. Apart from the flunctating pH problem due to algae, and if it is really the algae taking the oxygen.
I also have the rain filling up my tank, hence the amount of aeration is reduced due to fall height of the water.

Hi Ivan I hope you don't have anymore floaters tomorrow.
It really sucks when fish start to die.
I just came home from holidays and my air pump is stuffed.
I haven't lost anymore fish yet so will have to buy a new pump tomorrow.

Hmmm...
Did you mention you have stringy green algee once before Iv?

Nope... I believe I have algae that is suspended in water. None of the stringy ones like seaweed.

I am now letting some water out of the system so that I get a better fall height.

Gathering near the surface sounds like DO issues, but I would have thought the BYAP air pump should be giving ylou heaps...

All my outdoor tanks have algae growing on the walls, but my water is still clear.

Have you managed to get that cover over the FT yet?

Maybe try to get your hands on a standard pond pump with a spray fitting, and this should help to add more air and jazz up the tank also...

Good luck with the fish, hope there's no more floaters.

Try one thing at a time if you can.. this does 2 things, allows you to know if you have made a diff
and also won't conflict with another change.

Water drop is a good idea

Well not sure, I don't know how to determine if there is sufficient DO, but going by them gathering at the surface, I believe it is a DO issue. Possibly combined with the fact that it is a new system with suspended algae trying to compete for oxygen. With rain constanting topping up my FT, and raising the water level so that the water fall height reduces, reduces aeration. Excellent, I have got everything in my "favour".

Well we shall see if there are any fishes left alive tomorrow. If not, I might consider fishless cycle.

Well at this moment in the night, with rain pouring down and wind blowing like crazy. I can only drop the water level to hopefully increase aeration. Not sure if it is going to be sufficient to save the fishes but that's all I can do until tomorrow. If some still survives tomorrow. I will go and buy a bigger air pump.

Don't loose hope Ivan, it will come good.
The fish can suffer issues sometime back and without warning can fall over...
Lets see what tomorrow brings...
I had a death today, I did notice this one a few weeks back with a bung right eye.
Boodj was happy

I would like to think we can workout a way to getting more DO without another pump.

Solright, least you do have your roof (don't you?)

Hmm... yeah, it does suck. Especially when I did not care too much about some feeder goldfishes that I bought to initially cycle the tank and then transfer to aquarium tank. Ammonia went as high as 8 in that tank, possibly higher, because it did not take 5 mins to get to 8. And yet they are still surviving.