Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I really like the idea of that filter just before the water hits the sump. I can't wait to see the results Murray. I'm hoping it will turn out to be a problem like gravel washing, in that it is a one off problem, or only a problem each time you add more coco peat, and that it can be solved by this filter. Thanks so much for sharing the experience.

Breakfast at "Murray on Hives"
Menu,
Cos Lettuce a-la-chuck-in-tank.
The patrons, Jade and friends lack table manners and just rip the food apart in quick time.
Meal served and 10 minutes later you can see what is left on their plate.
Like all children it is hard to get them to eat their crusts.

They will eat a variety of greens including silver beet, ordinary lettuce and bok choi, but they always go for the Cos Lettuce leaves first, and do not touch the other stuff until long after the Cos is gone. Just like my kids they leave the silver beet until last.

Muzza

Great to see lots of experimenting going on Muzza...

I'm wondering, is the discolouration of the water a small solid that can be filtered out, or is it more of a tannin, or sort of a dye in the water that's not really going to filter out as such...?

Have you tried to get a small sample and see if it will settle out?

EB, it does settle out a little, very little, so it might be a combo of solids and a type of tannin. The temp filter I have made is draging some very fine solids out, I had to change the filter medium this morning as the first lot was blocked already from 3 yesterday afternoon, so that is a good sign. Time will tell.

Muzza

I'd be inclined to think it is tannins staining the water, I think this would actually be beneficial for species that prefer some turbidity in the water (such as yabbies, cod etc) who can relax a bit knowing they are harder to spot in the water.

I think you might be right Simmo, however if I can clear it up a bit by filtering I will be very happy.
Murray

Yep, clear enough to see the fish is clear enough

I got my Silver Perch today - ordered 200 from Queensland Native Hatchery
Childers Qld, first of the new seasons Silvers. Shareing them with Andy, Les and Roskar.
I like this hatchery bloke..... very good service.
Les is now speeding towards Roskar's place to deliver his 50 to him.
The new Silvers are in my nursery tank, I threw in some of those small native pellets and they started into them immediately.....was good to see........ I need that fish poo, my plants are looking really sick at the moment.

yay! happy fish and happy Murray!

A proud glowing parent again!!

Do you get 200 baby bonuses? Might be worth asking Johnnie

Great to hear about the new silver perch Murray. One thought though, if tehre are tannins in the water from the coco peat, will there be tannins in the fish meat?

Don't know Donarto, can't imagine that there will be. In Tasmania some of the streams that have Trout in them are heavily stained with tea tree or similar that looks from memory just the same as I have here from the coco peat, and the trout were just fine. Most native fish in the wild, live normally in very heavily stained and dirty water and I am told with proper purging they taste just fine, so I really can't see it being a problem.Muzza

G'day Murray, home atlast after visiting Roskar and AndyWhite - talk about fingerlings WOW!

The largest was about 12-15cm, another 8cm and the rest more of a normal size that I expected.

Thanks for including us in your little adventure Murray and thanks Roskar for supplying feed - much appreciated of both of you, will keep you informed of the fish progress

Les

Good to see you got home alright Les...there is no doubt that one fish of yours is on the 'roids' (that is if he is a fingerling). All of mine (30 odd) seem to be bedded down and I gave them a little feed. They all seemed very happy and have started to school. Thanks again Les for providing the 'Fingerling Express' and thanks to Murray for sorting out the order. Good luck with the fish gents...it will be interesting to see how they grow relative to their conditions.

They're gonna grow BIGGER .

Interesting story (also true) - we were fighting over who should have the large one:

Andy said I could have the big fish,
Andy didn't like the odds of finding one huge fish and no other fingerlings,
Andy then grabbed the net and extracted his 30 odd from the bag and said the rest were mine,
Andy didn't net the monster

hmmmmmn....see what the morning brings