Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My pump failed last night, went to feed the trout this morning and there were 8 floaters I've chucked in two smaller pumps and tried aerating the water as much as possible. Also done a small water change. The ammonia is very high. How much of a water change should I be doing. Don't want to shock the remaining fish any further but am very worried about the ammonia levels.

Also on a purely practical note, what should I do with the dead fish. Size ranges from 300 – 450, don't know how long they have been floating.

Stop feeding ... do a 50% water change...

P.S .... what's the pump... an Ebara???

JP kuda would say eat them, but I probably wouldn't, I know others have, just a preference thing I suppose, but they died of natural causes basically and not poisoned, how high is ammonia? pump failure for one night shouldn't affect it that much, do you have a separate air pump? as my pump was off for 6 hours and had battery backup air and fish were fine, if you feed in the morning I doubt your ammonia would jump overnight, you may have had high ammonia before, if it is only 1 then don't stress as temps are cool, what is pH also

Yes I do have an air pump but not a very big one. Don't know exactly when the pump failed, might ahve been yesterday afternoon. I was working yesterday morning is all I can be certain of.

Just do some water tests JP Amm Nitrite and pH and post results, get a bigger or another small air pump as well

Nocky I wouldn't say eat them. I have but asked for a practical and useful method of disposal. by the time you get to them they always look a bit manky.
I only object to such notions and 'toss em in the bin' and 'hide em in your enemy's car' and such.
I still haven't found a practial use for them, compost is all I could figure.

Mind you if they are 99% dead and gasping at the surface, then I'd probably eat them.

Ok just done a big water change. The ammonia was at probably just below 8 now it is just above 1. Going to do the other tests now.

So far 12 confirmed dead. Can't see the fish in the tank but can confirm at least one is alive as I caught him when looking for sinkers.

Kewl... don't feed for at least 24 hours.... and salt the tank to at least 1ppt... to alleviate stress...

3ppt would be good, if you intend doing any further water changes in the next week... or if the fish show any signs of disease...

Ok test results

NO2 - 1
No3 - Between 10 and 20
PH 6.6
Ammonia - 1

Question though. How long should I wait before reading the ammonia test. It seems to sit at 1 for a bit and then progressively get darker if I leave the tube for 5 or more minutes.

I always leave the ammo test for a couple of minutes before reading it...

Regardless... salt to 1ppt... had a feeling you might have a nitrite spike... and....

Don't feed....

Ok just going to B to get some salt.

JP the instructions say 5 mins for amm rite and rate, pH is almost instant, just did mine and amm and rite 0 but the dreaded pH is yellow on the low scale so would be below 6, rupe is correct about not feeding, I wouldn't stress at water change, if using a smaller pump then increase you pump cycle, how much water do you have and what is your pump rated at in Litres per hour, what head height and what sort of pump do you have? ideally you should turn water over once an hour on average

1000L tank plus 250L sump. Old pump was an 8000L/h but I had a bleeder valve in the sump to reduce the flow. Currently I have 2 x 2000l/h pumps in temporarily while a hook up a new 6000l/h pump that I just picked up from B. Head hight is about 1M. Also have an 80l/m air pump that I got from ebay however based on the bubbles coming out I don't think it is 80L/m

BTW, the air pump I have is the little brother of this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RESUN-LARGE-ELECTROMAGNETIC-AIR-PUMP-NEW_W0QQitemZ350254927380QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Pet_Supplies?hash=item518cd20e14&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Certanly not 80L/m and I don't think the one above is 200L/m either so if you looking on ebay beware.