Trouble shooting fish problems in aquaponics

   Well, we all hope to the perfect Aquaponics system, and usually, we only have to worry about the  nutrient intake for our plants.

   But sometime our fish have issues too. It is up to us to prevent them or treat them as soon as
possible.

   Fish are prone to bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections and most fish problems are human induced.

  First off before we go through the common problems, lets just say if you have a choice, make sure you get your fish from a reputably fish supplier, not saying that getting fish from someones back yard off of craigslist is bad, I do it all the time, but do note that it is a better possibility to get infected fish that way.

  So now to the point of it all...STRESS! There are not that many diseases your Aquaponics fish can contract. Stress is the number one problem for fish.
 
   Lack of oxygen is the first  that we should prevent. Rolling the water over is key. Plenty of aeration from the BOTTOM. Having the air bubbles on the top of the surface doesnt help as much.

    High volume of fish solids and food is a big concern. This will lead to high levels of ammonia and low levels of oxygen.  Pumping the settlement from the bottom of the fish tank into a swirl filter or a medium bed will help, but more importantly is watching the food intake. If there is food left then slack on the feed next time.

   Excessive handling is not a good idea, just because you want to show all your friends and family whats in the tank, its not good for the fish. So put the net away until harvest time.

  Water quality should be steady. If it fluctuates or has a bad source, the ph levels can spike up or down causing issues and of course if you get your water from town supply, it will have to be dechlorinated.   Keep a supply of rain water in a drum to use when water levels drop.

   Keep your algae levels low. Algae will give off oxygen during the day, but will starve it during the night. Keeping your fish tank covered or if its plastic, you can paint it or cover it in plastic. This will keep the sunlight from growing excess algae.

   If there is a bulling fish, it should be removed. Some fish will push other fish, or rob feed from them. It isnt very common, but it does happen. if so, it needs to be removed.

   Water temperature should be checked regularly. Place a digital thermometer, ( I use an auto in and out thermometer) where is is easy to see If your fish or cold natured  fish then keep it that way, and if your fish like warm temps, then expose them to the adequate heat and put a heater to keep the water maintained. Grow your vegetables accordingly. Some veggies like cold temps and some like warmer temp, use this to your advantage!

   Detection:

• Fungal infections: Fungal infections are can be seen as white botches on your fish’s fins and or body.
• Ammonia Toxicity: Fish are gasping for breath; fish have red and inflamed gills; fish appear lethargic; fish doesnt like to eat; and fish have red streaking on the fins or body.
• Low dissolved oxygen: Fish die in quick succession; fish are seen gasping for oxygen; hot weather is current; or fish die overnight and algae is present.

  

Urbanspace Aquaponics Vancouver

The truth about the Aquaponics Gardening Course

Here is a review of the course that I had taken this winter. Its a nice and easy course, yet very informative.  I would like to take further in depth training at one of these facilities to have hands on training.  This lecture gives all the basics that one should know before getting into the aquaponics. I think aquaponics is very rewarding at the end of the day when you sit back and see what you have done and how a well tuned your system is and can be.

Please like and share this video

here is the link

What is needed to test my aquaponic water

   Before your Aquaponic system is completed and you buy your fish, it would be handy and cost effective to pre-buy all the test that you will need before your set up is done and for your weekely maintenance.

   There are plenty of digital gauges out there from $20 to $1500. To start out I recommend just getting basic test strips. You can get the five in ones or you can get the individual ones. Ph is the one you will need the most of. But besides Ph you will have to test your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, oxygen, and even light, come winter time, or if you are growing indoors.
All these can be easily purchased at a pet store but may be cheaper online at amazon, e-bay, or the aquaponic source. Pool supplies carry some also, but can be higher.

   This way if you have all the test strips before hand, you will be able to kick your system off faster and if problems come up, you will get a general idea of whats wrong just with some basic test.

   May be wise to get some ph up or down for aquariums too, just in case, but no need and making it too complicated right off.

Aquaponics Ratio Simplified

Once you have your system up and running the key question on everything is how much?
how much feed  for my fish, how much fish for my system, how much ph, how much nitrates and so on.

Well lets just make it simple for you shall we?

    Lets start with feeding your fish since the feed is the start of it all.
Normally with adult fish they will eat about 1 - 2 percent of their body weight.
While young fish as in fry and fingerlings will eat about 6 to 8 percent of their body weight.
Now since most everyone is using the popular Tilapia, that is what we will base or numbers on, other fish may eat a lil more or a lil less, you will just have to test it for yourself. Easy way to do this is to start off with a 1/4 cup of food depending on how many fish you have. sprinkle that on the top of your fish tank and see if they eat that up within 15 minutes. Wasted food will hurt your system, so this should important to figure out. 

   Next we will learn the stocking density of your system. Based on  media or hybrid base system,
we will stock 1 pound of fish per 5 to 10 pounds of water in your tank, so if you have a 300 gallon stock tank, then up to 30 pounds of fish can be added, or if they are fingerlings or fry in a new system, just add 1 fish per every 5 to 10 gallons of water since usually they get upwards of a pound a piece.
Now! That being said studies are being made and stocking density can actually be made with less, basically unless you are aiming for high fish yields you can probably get by with half the fish, and still produce the same amount of nutrients needed for the plants and have a cleaner system.

   Your Oxygen level should be above 3ppm but would be better if it was 6 ppm, basically you can not really have to much oxygen.
Certain fish can withstand less oxygen like the tilapia as in raising trout, you need lots more, and dont forget the cooler the water the better the oxygen count will be.

   We want to target the PH level between 6.8 and 7 in your aquaponic system, this seems to work best for both fish and plants and should be checked weekly or more.. 


   Nitrite and Ammonia levels should not exceed .75.

If you see Ammonia levels rise suddenly, you may have a dead fish in

your tank. If you see Nitrite levels rise you may have damaged the bacteria

environment.

If either of the above circumstances occur, stop feeding

until the levels stabilize, and at the worse, do a 1/3 water

exchange to dilute the solution

   Nitrates can rise as high as 150 ppm without causing a problem, but much

more and  you should consider harvesting some fish and/or adding

additional plants  to your system

   Nothing is solid information and this should be used as a guide line,  everything can change the out put to your system like the type of fish, the water temperature (75 to 80) the type of plant you use, but it is imortant to start yourself a journal so that when you do find what works keep that info for the next system or the next grow bed, of if your father in law wants to build one you can come off knowing how it all works ( yes that is important too)

Please leave comments and questions down below and if you need test strips, look at amazon, or ebay or shop from the aquaponic source ( link above)

Aquaponics In a recycled Ice cooler

Here is just something I decided I had to do when the compressor shut down and was told that it was going to cost $300 to fix it!

 

After the snow and -2 degrees