Zubin's AP Build started

bunson

How many fish are in your system? If you've got a high density of fish, you probably wont ever have a zero ammonia level as the fish will continue to produce ammonia even if they aren't fed. By monitoring over time, you will eventually find what your minimum ammonia level is and it probably wont be precisely zero, but think of it as "zero" ammonia.

How long is it taking your system to get from "some" ammonia to "zero" ammonia and zero nitrites? If less than 24 hours, then you're good to go to start SLOWLY increasing the feed rate. If longer than 24 hours, I'd play safe and keep the feeding to the minimum until you have "zero" ammonia and zero nitrite left within 24 hours of feeding.

Nitrates 60 ==> more plants!

Zubin

Thanks for the tips bunson.

I have about 300 Tilapia fingerlings of between 1 to almost 4 inches, and 44 minows. And the growth rate of Tilapia has been something else. I have never seen fish grow that fast. It is not even a month that I have gotten them, and some of them have grown more than 3 times.

I have to find out what vegies do not require direct sun light. If I can not find any vegies, then I have to put some plants we have that grow real good in shady areas.
Two of the grow beds get lighted by LEDs and 30 watts fluorescent lights, and the grow rate has been good.

Thanks again for the helpful information.

Zubin

After 29 days of having these fingerlings in my fish tank, I see that it is possible to have some of these over 1.5 lbs by the end of 6 months. Here is a little vedio from last night's feeding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRJJwFqBgHM&

Zubin

Just did a water test, and here are the result of it:

PH => 6.8
Amo => .25
Nitrite => 0
Nitrate => 80

I assume that my system has cycled. Is that correct?

bunson

There's "cycled" and then there's "cycled"...

If it takes a few days for any ammonia added/generated to be converted through the process to nitrates then you are (only partially) cycled i.e. the bacterial colonies have established but they are not yet of the optimum density to easily deal with all the waste in a "reasonable" timeframe. If your ammonia is all converted within 24 hours, then your system is what I like to call "fully cycled" i.e. not only have the colonies established, but they are sufficiently large/numerous to deal with the wastes load in a "reasonable" timeframe.

As you're cycling with fish in the system, it is very hard to define when the ammonia is actually "added" so if your ammonia stays at a constant 0.25ppm every day you test, then you'd be "fully cycled", if the ammonia value peaks and troughs during a period when there is no added input to the system i.e. feeding, then you're probably not yet fully cycled.

In any event, you're "nearly" there.

Nitrates 80ppm => add more plants.

Zubin wrote:

I have about 300 Tilapia fingerlings of between 1 to almost 4 inches, and 44 minows

How much filtration do you have for these 344 fish?

Zubin

Yes,
Last night the ammonia was .25 again.

I started some seeeds, in about 2 weeks, hopefully will add some black tomatos, pepers, egg plants, ....

bunson

If you've got a sufficient density of fish, you may never have a zero ammonia reading, as the fish will still be respiring and generating ammonia even if you're not feeding them. Maybe your minimum ammonia level for your FT volume and stock density (i.e. your "zero" level) is 0.25ppm?

Zubin

Added more plants. Tested the water this morning,
PH => 6.5
Amo => .25
Nitrite => 0
Nitrate => 80

I guess I need to add more plants.
The Tilapia is doing real good. Hopefully in 6 months I get to taste them.

They eat the food I made for them real well.

Zubin

So far so good. The Tilapia is eating like there is no tomorrow, and the grow rate is great.

http://youtu.be/CUS5A3KIPmo

Zubin

Anyone of you going to build a house like this?

http://www.wimp.com/revolvingarchitecture/

Imagine having an aquaponics system on the portch. Just because you could!

Zubin

I am still tired out from weekend's repair job I had to perform on my fish tank.
Due to humidity, the screws that were holding the sides of the fish tank had rusted, So, due to presure from over 1700 galones of water, one coner's screws were busted, and the bolts from middle section had cracked the wood, and the bottom support had moved about 8 inches and pushed the water pump a little away, therefore the PVC coupling came apart and about 1200 galons of water were lost. Usually before going to bed, I go feed the fish a little and then turn all the grow lights off and go night night.
So, Saturday night I get down there and see about a foot of water left in that fish tank! Oh Crap, what the hell happened; I am asking myself.
So, I get down there, and turned the pump off. Stuff a rag into the busted pipe to stop water. Then I went and got the portable light and check things out, I was woundering why the coupling came off, then I see the black EPDM is out of that corner about 7 inches.
I called wife to come down and see if we can push things back together, but oh ney ney! Not even a milimeter we could move things.
So, went up and brought down two floor jacks. Placed floor jacks side ways against the wall of the pool, and placed a 4X4 between the jack and the side of the fish tank. Wife stood on the side of the 4X4 so prevent it from pushing upward. Anyway, after 4 hours I got things back were they suppose to be, and placed two 4 inch strap with rachet around the tank and tight it together.
Took shower and went to bed. Good Lord All Mighty, that was one rough work. There was no energy left in me.
Any way, all night long I was thinking in my sleep how to remedy the issue. So, morning came and after taking couple of pain killers and two cups of strong coffee, I went to barn and picked up a side of cabinet from a computer rack that they were going to junk at work. HP Computer rack side panal, which is a heavy gauge metal. Anyway, the width was just perfect to be used for building brackets for each corner.
Got my plasma cutter, and started cutting 8 pieces of 3.2 by 23 inches. Drilled holes in them and hammwered them into brackets for each corner. This time I used galvanized 3 inch nails to placed them on each corner. I think this issue will not happen again.
I started filling the fish tank again, and now it is almost at half full.

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Another lesson learned!
Too bad I did not remember to take pictures during the fixing.

Dave Donley

Ouch that sounds scary Zubin, I think the one tank I saw used lag bolts through the ends (like a couple bolts vertically in your first pic).

Zubin

Yes, the bolts stayed put on the bottom lumber, and cracked the top ones.
I think the brackets I made for it, should hold it tight. As of now, all good. I have to fill the tank up this weekend. We are going to get some sun shine. I have the hose spread all over the roof and ready. My water well water temporature is about 65 or so, so for sure I have to pass it through the roof before sending it to the fish tank. We have had clouds and cool days recently.

Dave Donley

They looks like screw rather than lag bolts. Maybe construction adhesive could also help hold them tight, but wouldn't be able to disassemble it then.

Edit: Sorry I meant hex bolts, I had thought lag bolts weren't like big wood screws but they are. So a short hex bolt with washers and nuts to hold the ends together... http://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-infor ... Chart.aspx

Zubin

Yes, bolts with washers and nuts. two of them at each corner. I had also used construction glue. But I guess the pressure was too much to hold.
My assumption of too much humidity might had something to do with it.

I forgot to mention, Tilapia is growing so good. Hope to get to taste them in about 6 months or so. I have to get a picture of them and post it.

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