Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

DB, you might also have better luck with a different feed - maybe another kind of feed would be more efficient and make less debris.

I was wondering about that Dave. I am using Silvercup floating feed which is what I got from the place I bought the fish. What are you using? What about you Janet? Anyone else want to mention what they are feeding in commercial pellets?

Dave and I are both using Zeigler Brothers Bronze floating pellets.

http://www.zeiglerfeed.com/product_lite ... Bronze.pdf

Oh, but then the Zeigler plant near him burned down, so I don't know what I'll be using when my second bag runs out.

They have a couple more mills in the area, just not as close...

DD, Oh good, I'll just have to find a different Zeigler Brother, then.

So I cleaned the aquariums yesterday, and one of the females was really nervous about the siphon. As she crashed into the walls of the aquarium, trying to get away from the fearsome siphon, she spit some eggs....now hold on here folks!

Yes, eggs. Now mind you, she has been nowhere near a male fish for months. She shares the aquarium with my other breeder Sheila, with a divider between them because things were seeming a little hostile in there. I know that both fish are females because both have laid eggs and reared the resulting fry. So either the fish have learned to teleport, a female has switched teams, or there's a hitherto unknown talent for storing milt. I'm guessing that it's the second option, and I'm assuming that it is a temporary switch. You just cant' stop these fish! Worse than bunnies! I'm also assuming that the eggs are infertile, and she will swallow them with a few days. (Oh please, swallow them. No more fry right now.)

LOL great grand mom!
I use aquamax grower ...sigh... mixed with egg of course.

Time for more pics!

Nice eggplant Janet. What type is it. Mine is just getting some fruit on it now. It is just a common variety (black beauty or one of the other black somethings). My fave is called Purple Firenze. It is a rounder fruit, light purple with some white - really sweet and tender.

I looked more closely at the pics in the previous post. The Crossandra isn't visible in the pic I said it was, but you can see it with the Mohican eggplant. It's the tangerine-colored flower. I'm doing very well crumbling soil off plants and transplanting them. They don't wilt or sulk, even with the inevitable breaking of some of their roots. The worms clean up and remaining soil-less mix that is on the roots.

Here are some more pics....

u been holding onto those janet? lovely growth!

When will you start eating fish Janet?

Still too small to eat, VB. For fun, I netted one just now: 125g (4.5oz) and 190mm (7.5 inches) nose to end of tail. I estimate that this particular fish is a little bigger than average. I think it will take a couple more months until I can eat some. My oldest daughter is very excited about the idea now.

I took those pictures yesterday evening, after my visitor didn't come The Australian Tree Fern has been sending out frond after frond. It really likes me. I've also been taking cuttings of basil, coleus and begonia, and rooting them in the gravel. That works a treat!

Our gain then.

Looking fantastic JP!