Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

The goldfish come to the top and activley feed, the jade perch not really, i see a few of them getting food but for the most part i assume they get it as it is going down. This is in stark contrast to the inside ones where the water looks like it is "boiling" when they feed But then again, inside onces feed the same way as the outdoor ones wheh the temp is 20C

If there is no way of telling that they were feeding or not then I have no other idea of how to tell if they were sick - sorry... except for visual cluse, but you said they were fine... hmmmm

I have had goldfish deaths for no reason in my tiny system. Have lost probably a dozen or more goldies in this system over the past 6 months or so, but then since I stocked it with more new fish about 2 months ago I haven't lost any.. Bit strange, no major water changes, or changes to the system in any way.....

I'll keep you upto date, I guess fish can die from "natural causes" too!

I'm confident in my water parameters anyway. It was just a bit of a surprise......

Have drawn up plan for green house, calculated approx 140 meters of 1x1 inch square tube needed. final dimensions will be 3m wide 6m long with 45 degree roof from 2m lowside to 3m highside. High side will be facing south and covered with silver foil insulation inside. Hoping to get majority of winter sun through 45 degree roofline, as i'm going to be mounting it half in the shade line. Each side will be welded together flat then moved into position and bolted together so it can be pulled down if need be.
With ny luck i can get steel delivered during the week, and plan a "mission" for next weekend

Hope to have it all done by weeked of 22 -23 july

Steve

Go Steve..........

Be sure to get lots of pics.....

Were they married - perhaps they were nagged to death!

Sounds great Steve. Have you got a quote on the steel. What is the wall thickness of the 25 x 25 rhs you are using. Is it gal or just black.

I got a quote on the steel for my first grow-bed stand and what I need to make some ladder racks for my trailer. Steel isn't cheap. Reckon it's going to cost about $200 just in steel to build each grow-bed stand . I am still trying to decide between using round tube or rhs for my greenhouse.

Put some sketch plans on ASAP Steve - some worthwhile additions to the design may come from readers.

No more "floaters". Much have just been the two that were weakened I'll be transferring another 5 or so outside today.

VB, will sketch up some pics of the green house and post them today some time.

OK guys, you were all right!

Its been what, 3 weeks? since my system has been running, and about 30% of the 6mm water jets are clogged with algae.

And its not even getting full summer sun

Two ways i might attack this.

One is bury the pipe like you all suggested, but loose my great water distribution.

Two is pain the sprayer black, as most of the algae is growwing inside the tube and then blocking the holes. Problem with this is to source a SAFE black paint.

Soemthing like tis maybe http://www.zopharmills.com/pages/no111.html

Are you sure the algae is growing in the pipe, or is that algae that the pump is picking up from the bottom of the pond and it's getting clogged in the holes.. My clogging problems have anly ever come from roots getting into the holes, or chunks coming from the fish tank..

Good point EB, didn't think of that.

Tragedy! (well, not quite)

Lb how was the wind at your place last night / today?

I remember lying in bed saying "the minigreenhouse is gone for sure"

When i checked on it in the morning sure enough, it was on the other side of the back yard! Tank temp down to 15C (poor heaters working overtime) Didn't have time to do a repair, so put a large plastic bag over the grow bed, best i could do. Came home tonight and temp still at 15C.

Fixed the greenhouse good and propper with 6 cable ties......that'll lern it

The goldies are happy as always, Jade perch were no where to be seen.

I have seen this in the indoor aquarium.
Around 16C they sit at the bottom not doing anything.
Around 20C they swim around looking happy and have a nibble at some food
25C+ they have an almost insatiable appetite

EB, i'm good with the theory, but a practical question for you. My system is almost cycled. Nitrites just need to come down a little. Can i expect an explosive growth of my silver beet soonish ? They are all healthy and very green looking, but have not really grown, obviously because the nitrates are not being produced en mass yet. Is there a distinct "step change" ?

Steve

There is a distinct step change in plant growth to look for too Steve. Sometimes plant stalling is as simple as an unsuited pH or temperature. Swings in either out of the plants preferred range cause plant stress and subsequent stalling.

At a certain age, if the nutrients are there, they'll take off.

Have faith, one day your mini greenhouse wont be there again, it will be suspended in air from the plant growth.

I think at the moment the davance silverbeet i transplanted are just satisfied........little growth, but very healthy....just though, probably recoving from root trauma too .

Yep, they will suddenly take off Steve when the system is in balance and pumping, so long as you have enough fish in your system to provide them with the nutrients they need... One of my small systems has been just sitting, festering for a while, not growing much, but not looking sick. Recently I over doubled the fish mass in the system by adding a lot more goldfish, a few weeks later and the plants have started to explode....

How many fish have you got in your system at the moment?

If you don't see some good growth within the next few weeks you might need to think of stocking some more fish... This is the situation with my new barrel system, it's looking ok, plants are growing slowly but they will never really take off till I put more fish in.