Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

From what you have jotted down it looks like you did everything ‘right’… The one thing I would suggest changing would be to slow down the introduction / changing of their water to yours… The reading I have done recently keeps pointing out how this, that or the next form of stress can weaken and kill them. They can be sensitive to stress, but once they are settled in your system they can be very robust indeed.
By the way, how does water flow ‘through’ the redclaw tank? Where are the inlets and outlets situated? (just trying to get a full picture in my mind of how your tank ‘works’. I am still intent on stocking a greater density of redclaw in an IBC and as a result I am interested in how yours works
By the way, if they are floating and have that rotten stench about them means that they died a few days earlier – it takes about 2 or 3 days (longer in cooler weather) for a dead redclaw to float to the top…
Below is some of the info I shared with another BYAP member who has had a few hassles with his redclaw lately

Its preferred temperature range (water temperature) for >70 percent of maximum growth rate is 23ºC to 31ºC. Temperature extremes beyond which redclaw will perish are 10ºC and 36ºC.Reproduction will only occur while water temperature remains above 23ºC.

Some of the characteristics which should be identified include;
* pH of between 6.5 and 8.0,
* hardness of >40 ppm,
* low salt content
* and low metals content.

– there is a lot on the net about the little buggers – just finding time to read it all seems to be problematic…

here is a doc I got most of my info from

http://aquanic.org/publicat/usda_rac/efs/srac/244fs.pdf

still having floaters had 3 yesterday - looks like i am going to lose all of the recently bought 33.
I wonder next time about asking them to bring up some unpurged ones - as well as slowing how I introduce them into the system.

It's a standpipe thingie to get water out - however instead of using cutouts (never managed these well the first time) I was talking to the guy at Reece and he said "oh you need a mesh" (should have taken a photo ) its a black thing screws in allows water etc in through sides and bottom but wouldnt let fish in(25mm prob have other sizes).

Pump pipe sits on top.

For me if i can stock around 40 in the tank thats acceptable (so you can regularly have a feed), was going to have a small tank for a female to berry constantly with the help of whichever male i catch , then a half ibc with 3 levels of the mansion for raising the babies straight from mum till they get to a size to go in main redclaw tank.

But Ihave to be able to stock to at least around 40 in the main taink first.

Ill take pics if I get time later
Glen

Bummer,
you did mention that they said the purged ones might not settle in properly. I would guess that is the problem.

they will bring down bigger ones (which cost a little more each) - but you have to contact them beforehand...
that is what I am thinking I will do...

I had to check before commenting... this is one of the first documents I read on Redclaw 2 or 3 years ago (printed it out and still have it) - they have a lot of stuff on their site...

AM
Rang Tarzali Lakes last week re getting some unpurged ones they said they aren't bringing redclaw up anymore. They said it was because this was a time of heightened stress for them as they were moulting with the rapid growth. They said Easter would be a better time to get unpurged ones. Or can drive down there and choose from tanks.

This gives me 6 months to wait with about 10ish redclaw in the ibc mansion (some berried). Should I set up some smaller tanks and try to breed them (6months they would prob be almost size he sells) Or should I eat them grow out some barra for 6mths (EAT) then buy at Easter.
Thanks

DAmn
THat means that I will not be able to get any redclaw down here either ... Hmmm, perhaps the missus is up to a trip onto the table lands to go fetch some

Mate, if they have berried, let them be for a while, ensuring that you have provided enough hidy holes for the babies as they do tend to snack on the babies at times... scrunched up shade cloth or similar works a treat
Just leave them in the big tank, small and large, you can quiet easily get a second lot of babies off of them in the next month or 2 - then eat the the bigger ones

You have loads of room for 2 or 3 lots of babies... and if fed well you MIGHT just not have to buy some - you appear to be content to wait and be patient any way, so breed them up
How big do your barra get in 6 months as I tend to go for 8 to 9 months before harvest myself (first harvest that is )
My barra appear to be progressing well and putting on weight, so I assume yours are doing the same

yep barra are growing well.... now. Had to do another trip up to Kuranda Fish Farm as I only had 5mm pellets (which strabgely look bigger than the 6mm ones I use to have) and crushed up they were taking some of it but the powder was creating a thick sludge on bottom. So anyway got some 3mm ones $8 per kg which they seem to love. When they ask if you need pellets say yes I'll try to get them onto the 5mm asap.

Redclaw had one of the established females die today Was going to do a female box (for berried) and smaller mansion for juvies to grow up then transition. But have to admit having 2nd thoughts if established ones keep dieing

Just put some Seasol in barra tank to give plants a kick.
Thanks

hmmm, if they keep dyeing even now then we have missed something
In that case eat the buggers till we can sus out what is going "wrong"...
Hmmm, just holler if ya want me to pop on over (*I still have to return your cooler bag anyways )

cooler bags no biggie but you're welcome round anytime

noticed this arvo my redclaw have had babies saw about 5 on top level (started to siphon them out only managed to get 1 so put him back in - figured I'd wait till i have breeding tank etc). Mum is still in a hide doesnt want to come out so could be more on the way.

Also I read the first spawn is supposed to be much smaller. If can get a breeding box going with that female should get lots more next time.
Need to have the time to set everything up though

cooler bag no biggie but you're welcome round anytime.

noticed this arvo that my redclaw has had babies saw about 5 on top level. Started to siphon them out - only got 1 so chucked him back in and figured will wait till I have breeeding bow and maybe juvie tank.

Have read the first spawn can result in much lower numbers. So this one should give much more next time. Hopefully i have the time to set things up.

sorry double post

Another bath tub would be ample as a breeding tank if you can source one... breeding is easy enough.
Will try pop out there some time soon, if for no other reason than to say HI

Let me know when you have a weekend free - next weekend is fine for me or whatever

I am doing a duke of edinburgh hike with our year 10 and 11 students next weekend ... the weekend after that perhaps?