Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

And, due to a further distraction of immense proportions...(I'm lazy)...Here's the latest update.

OK, so my FT is a 1000l IBC, filled a bit above the 1k mark. So far, the system has been trying to run on 2 x 5cm goldfish, and 6 baby c$@p that I didn't get from the duck pond over the road

Ever since I put the cracked gravel in, the water has been horribly cloudy. Last week, I put a few seedlings in and guess what... within a couple of hours of setting the plants, the water was clear as crystal. They must have some super-duper flocculation effect that makes all the groo stick to the bottom. I'm undecided now - do I leave it be, or vacuum it to the tank that supplies the BG's. It's mainly of a mineral nature, so I'm leaning toward sending it to the GB pump. Meanwhile the goldies, perch, and baby C&*p look pretty happy. I don't intend adding any more fish unless I get a stock loss, or the water cools enough for trout...fishies for Xmas!

Cheers,
Trev

Hi folks, this will my last post in this series, as the system is up and running - I'll endeavour to get some pics happening.

I let the system run for four weeks after I put in the scoria (cracked gravel), but the water did not noticeably clear. So last break ( I work a week away, then a week at home ) I put in some seedlings as I got sick of waiting for the system to settle. Amazingly, within a couple of hours of putting in the seedlings, the water in the three sumps and the fish tank was clear as crystal - all the sediment dropped to the bottom. At this stage I intend to leave it there - it's minerals that won't be available if I remove it.

I checked the water when I put in the seedlings, ammonia was 0.25, nitrite and nitrate were 0. I concluded I need more fish.

Three days ago I purchased 5 silver perch (well, 6, but 1 was crook in the shop and didn't survive the trip home - should have asked for another). They are all about 7cm long. They seem to be very shy fish, hiding behind the SLO or in the IBC's outlet where the tap is. I'm not feeding them much, as I can't see them eat - I just chuck in 1 pellet each. It's not much for fish that size, as my 2 goldies (same length, MUCH fatter) will eat two each and ask for more. But, until I see them eat, they're not getting any more - eventually they will have to eat, or become an ammonia source for the plants...their choice!

Anyway, the perch have been in there three days now. I just checked the water - Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate greater than 0, but less than 5.0 - but most of the seedlings I planted two weeks ago are double their size, so I don't intend to do too much to the system just now, except wait for the plants to grow. Depending on how the system looks next week when I get home, I'll see if it needs a piddle injection - only had one this week, and with 7 fish + some baby c&@p, I don't anticipate too many more being needed.

OK, that's it for this thread, unless someone has something to add about getting perch to eat. Silly buggers just want to play hide and seek!

Cheers,
Trev

Sounds like it's working and has cycled . Don't forget to get those pics up here along with the text so people can get a better idea of what's going on.

Cheers

Our perches were the same, but now with the koi they are attacking the food every time like they are starving.