Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I wish I could tell you Veggie boy, but unfortunately I threw the tubes out.

Sorry about that. When I next go to Bunnings I will try to get the name.

When I get to washing the tubs out, what should I use?

Thanks

Simon

Simon, did you check the silicon and make sure it was 100% used in aquariums? Others have a preservative that is toxic to fish.

Good point Joyce... we should have picked that up before.

Yep Simon, as Joyce says, only use Aquarium Silicone... available most places...like the "B" stores

Yep, made sure of that.

The Silicon I will be using is called Selleys Glass Silicone Sealant & it has the following on the label.....

"Perfect for use on or around
- Windows
- Window Frames
- Aquariums

For use on materials such as
- Glass
- Many plastics....."

It suggests that, for aquariums I need to let it cure for 7 days (will wait 14 to be sure) & to thoroughly wash out before filling with fish.

So, based on what is on the label, sounds like it will be ok. (Crosses fingers)

I have used that one for many years, in aquariums. Never had any issues.

10 days is plenty long enough, as long as the curing silicone isn't exposed to the elements during this time.

those barrels are (when whole) closed using a metal hoop clamp thought not much help in a half barrel

I have secured the lids with nuts & bolts. You can just make them out in the photos.

On Friday I pulled the lids off of the half-barrels and cleaned the previous sealant out of them. I still have not gone to Bunnings so don't know what it is called, but I am thinking that it must have been an adhesive for pond liner.

It was black and when thick was the consistency of Tar and very sticky. While sitting there cleaning the crap off of my barrels I had plenty of opportunity to consider what it was. I know that it was safe for aquariums. The reason why I am thinking it was adhesive for pond liners is....

It is black
It dissolves in water when applied thickly
It doesn't seem to dissolve as badly when spread thinly.

Pond liners are usually black and when gluing it together you would use a thin spread of adhesive.

Anyway, after finally cleaning the barrels I have applied silicon sealant and am waiting for that to cure.

I am hoping to spend next weekend assembling it all and hopefull getting the thing cycling. Then 2 weeks of cycling without fish then applying 10 or 20 SP fingerlings and rocking and rolling.

Mind you, you know what they say about the best laid plans....

Two weeks to cycle is probably optomistic even up there in Lismore... unless you're planning to "seed" the system.

Be aware that temperature directly influences the growth rate of the bacteria.... let us know how cold your tank water is and someone might be able to give you a better estimation of the time to cycle...

Simon,
here is some info on cycling and the affect temp has on it Steve's handywork

Simon, my dad will tell you first hand how hard it is to cyce a NEW system in the cold. what has it been now, 2 months almost, still ammonia of 4ppm, zero nitrites, and no feeding for most of that time be careful!

As opposed to my purging tank which has cycled in less than 2 weeks :-)

note Vb's state compared to mine...................

Same here Steve,180 SP fingerlings not eating,but still living!

Thanks for the feedback all,

Here was my thinking. My fish tank is 500ltrs. If I let the system cycle for a couple of weeks that will start the development of the bacteria. Then, by adding a small number of fingerlings (say 10 SP fingerlings only approx 5cm long) then there would be a slow build-up of ammonia which will help feed the bacteria and assist it in developing.

I was originally going to have the system cycle for about a month but then read the post on the Portal front page titled "Steve's to do list for starting a system" which suggested that fish should be added early in the process and fed minimal amounts.

So in the end I had intended to try to establish a best-of-both-worlds approach. Cycle for a couple of weeks then add a small amount of fish and slowly build up the levels as the bacteria develops. This would also have the added advantage of ensuring that fish are maturing at different times to ensure that I am getting a constant feed of fish rather than fish gluts.

So which approach should I use?

BTW, Lismore is near the border with QLD so it is not so cold up here. Having moved up here from Melbourne I can go so far as to say that it is almost warm here atm...

Rupert, when you refer to "seeding" the system, are you talking about adding bacteria or something else?

So much to learn, so much to consider!