Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello!
Looking for a little help. I have been experiencing some issues with my system. Some are bone-headed mistakes
and others remain a mystery.

I definitely have a nutrient deficiency...calcium I am almost positive. I have started feeding the fish more often.
I am wondering if I don't have enough fish. I have probably 20 goldfish (that are quite large) and 3 smallish butterfly Koi (who are just visiting for the winter.) The tank is 110 gallons.

My nitrate reading is at the top of the chart. Would adding more fish increase the availability of nutrients for the plants or would it put more stress on the already existing fish.

Do you have a system thread Happy or a couple of system photos?
Is it indoor or outdoor
What are your growbed sizes etc,

Regards

If you've got the very high nitrate reading, don't add more fish, you need less fish if anything, and slow down the feeding.

If you've got calcium problems, add some calcium:
http://brightagrotech.com/calcium-in-aquaponics/

As Porter said we need pics to help properly diagnose your deficiency issues,but i will say your stocking seems high,how large are your grow beds ? do you have solids filtration ? what are your water parameters other than the nitrate ?

Is it okay to have different types of fish in one fish tank? I only see systems with one type of fish. I want to use trout and catfish.

I've read of some doing that combo successfully. Do you plan a nursery tank to raise fingerling trout to bigger than a catfish's mouth?

I suspect if you stock trout first and let them get bigger than tasty nugget size, you could then add little catfish and have them all grow together as a big happy family. Maybe it won't be an issue, but if the catfish are bigger and more aggressive than the trout, you might lose a few troutlings.

Are your temps suitable for trout and catfish both at the same time?

--
Sam

Have a look at the calculator here
http://www.aquaponic.com.au/calculators.htm