Bluegill not eating well - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T05:25:12Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/bluegill-not-eating-well?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A451563&feed=yes&xn_auth=noanother note.. i read an osu…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-22:4778851:Comment:4531422013-03-22T13:36:22.126ZKeith Rowanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KeithRowan
<p>another note.. i read an osu study (sorry it was a while ago) that indicated bluegill fingerlings will be stressing if nitrates are at i think 400 or above.. you might want to do another partial water change to get your system at least measurable..</p>
<p>don't worry about "hard water" in your system in the early stages.. it will be fine and is actually better for the cycling proces</p>
<p>another note.. i read an osu study (sorry it was a while ago) that indicated bluegill fingerlings will be stressing if nitrates are at i think 400 or above.. you might want to do another partial water change to get your system at least measurable..</p>
<p>don't worry about "hard water" in your system in the early stages.. it will be fine and is actually better for the cycling proces</p> Funny you mention the water,…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-22:4778851:Comment:4529372013-03-22T03:35:05.777ZMatt T.https://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MatthewAllenTanking
<p>Funny you mention the water, and worm mix with the pellets Keith. Aside from refrigerating, this is exactly how I first started the fingerlings into eating, when I first got them. It worked well, and I'll try it again. Thanks!</p>
<p> As for the water. Like I said. Its the cleanest in the state of Wisconsin. But that doesn't mean there isn't contamination in the pipes running through town. Its just that they (fish) were so healthy, and active for three months that I'm still thinking…</p>
<p>Funny you mention the water, and worm mix with the pellets Keith. Aside from refrigerating, this is exactly how I first started the fingerlings into eating, when I first got them. It worked well, and I'll try it again. Thanks!</p>
<p> As for the water. Like I said. Its the cleanest in the state of Wisconsin. But that doesn't mean there isn't contamination in the pipes running through town. Its just that they (fish) were so healthy, and active for three months that I'm still thinking nitrates like Chris mentioned above. I will try the hard well water in a future change though. I have to drive 20 miles to get away from this huge layer of limestone found around Lake Michigan, and Superior. Besides it is still in the teens and twenties her so I probably pull into the driveway with a drum of ice<a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Frown.gif"/></a>. I did get my raft trays set up, and need to get</p>
<p> foam board for planting. It is now a hybrid system!</p> if you're using floating pell…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-21:4778851:Comment:4528702013-03-21T20:56:17.163ZKeith Rowanhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/KeithRowan
<p>if you're using floating pellets, try this.. get a zip type baggie, put 1/4 cup or so of pellets, and about 1/8 cup water, seal and refridgerate overnight, turn a couple times to make sure all the water gets aborbed... when you're ready to feed the fish,,, cut a worm or two up into smaller bites and put some wet pellets in at the same time.. the pellets will sink slowlly if you give them a light squeeze...</p>
<p>after they are taking the wet/sinking pellets, add a few dry pellets when you…</p>
<p>if you're using floating pellets, try this.. get a zip type baggie, put 1/4 cup or so of pellets, and about 1/8 cup water, seal and refridgerate overnight, turn a couple times to make sure all the water gets aborbed... when you're ready to feed the fish,,, cut a worm or two up into smaller bites and put some wet pellets in at the same time.. the pellets will sink slowlly if you give them a light squeeze...</p>
<p>after they are taking the wet/sinking pellets, add a few dry pellets when you feed.. gradually change the ratio of wet/dry till you are just feeding dry pellets..</p>
<p> then you only feed worms as treats and the fish should stick to the pellets</p> I know when I had a reef tank…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-21:4778851:Comment:4530022013-03-21T20:02:59.589ZScott Mooneyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ScottMooney
<p>I know when I had a reef tank, using municipal water (even aged) could lead to nutrient issues, including excess nitrate/nitrite levels.</p>
<p>In the AP system, there is the unique issue of needing nutrients and minerals for our plants, yet still providing very high quality water for our fish.</p>
<p>I would suggest trying another water source (known clean well system with newer plumbing, filtered water) for some water changes to see if that can help regulate levels.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I know when I had a reef tank, using municipal water (even aged) could lead to nutrient issues, including excess nitrate/nitrite levels.</p>
<p>In the AP system, there is the unique issue of needing nutrients and minerals for our plants, yet still providing very high quality water for our fish.</p>
<p>I would suggest trying another water source (known clean well system with newer plumbing, filtered water) for some water changes to see if that can help regulate levels.</p>
<p></p> I have two large air stones m…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-21:4778851:Comment:4527342013-03-21T03:43:14.024ZMatt T.https://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MatthewAllenTanking
<p>I have two large air stones moving the water 24/7, on top of the flood and drain cycle every 15 minutes. The larger fish are aprox. 4 inches, with some 3 to 2-1/2 inchers mixed in. I have the tank covered with 3/4" foam most of the time, and I remove this 15 minutes to 1/2 hour before feeding to allow them time to adjust to the light.</p>
<p> I use municipal water that is aireated in a 55 gallon drum for 48 hours, and PH adjusted. I am trying to correct the nitrate level, as it probably is…</p>
<p>I have two large air stones moving the water 24/7, on top of the flood and drain cycle every 15 minutes. The larger fish are aprox. 4 inches, with some 3 to 2-1/2 inchers mixed in. I have the tank covered with 3/4" foam most of the time, and I remove this 15 minutes to 1/2 hour before feeding to allow them time to adjust to the light.</p>
<p> I use municipal water that is aireated in a 55 gallon drum for 48 hours, and PH adjusted. I am trying to correct the nitrate level, as it probably is the culprit. They do appeared to be quite stressed. The city water has no violations, and is the cleanest in the state, coming from Lake Michigan. It has an average flouride content of .7ppm.</p> How is your water movement? A…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-21:4778851:Comment:4526312013-03-21T02:24:52.454ZScott Mooneyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ScottMooney
<p>How is your water movement? Are the fish provided hiding/nesting areas? Approx fish size? Light levels in the fish tank? Air temp? </p>
<p></p>
<p>These are all things that could cause a change in their eating habits. Having a nitrate problem makes me a little concerned. What are you using for your water changes(municipal tap, well, pond, filtered, RO/DI)?</p>
<p>How is your water movement? Are the fish provided hiding/nesting areas? Approx fish size? Light levels in the fish tank? Air temp? </p>
<p></p>
<p>These are all things that could cause a change in their eating habits. Having a nitrate problem makes me a little concerned. What are you using for your water changes(municipal tap, well, pond, filtered, RO/DI)?</p> Im out of suggestions at this…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-19:4778851:Comment:4515632013-03-19T14:44:37.338ZChris Carrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Chris954
<p>Im out of suggestions at this point. Hopefully one of seasoned experts see this and respond with something better. Good luck anyway and keep the thread updated. More change of it getting seen that way.</p>
<p>Im out of suggestions at this point. Hopefully one of seasoned experts see this and respond with something better. Good luck anyway and keep the thread updated. More change of it getting seen that way.</p> Three 30% water changes and n…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-19:4778851:Comment:4513412013-03-19T02:40:49.646ZMatt T.https://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MatthewAllenTanking
<p>Three 30% water changes and nitrates are still off the charts. Fish are still skitish, and not eating pelleted food. I throw a few redworms in, and they are like piranah! At least the small ones are. The larger ones just gaurd their corners? I was in the process of setting up a couple raft trays with new plants well started, when my sump tank pump went out. Thank god I added in an overflow pipe, or it would have drained my system!<a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Frown.gif"></img></a> I can only utilize…</p>
<p>Three 30% water changes and nitrates are still off the charts. Fish are still skitish, and not eating pelleted food. I throw a few redworms in, and they are like piranah! At least the small ones are. The larger ones just gaurd their corners? I was in the process of setting up a couple raft trays with new plants well started, when my sump tank pump went out. Thank god I added in an overflow pipe, or it would have drained my system!<a style="cursor: pointer;"><img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Frown.gif"/></a> I can only utilize the nitrate rich water on my house plants and seedlings, as there is still several inches of snow here. I did raise up my lights, but can't pull the bolted lettuce until I get the rafts going, or my nitrates will rise even more. A new pump tomorrow, and another 30% water change and we'll see if that helps. I may also bring my temps back to 75° after seeing if the water change made any difference, or I'll never know what worked if doing it all at once. Thinking I might have put the gills in spawn mode by lowering it in the first place?</p> Dont forget you can water the…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-10:4778851:Comment:4479192013-03-10T02:02:47.497ZChris Carrhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Chris954
<p>Dont forget you can water the dirt garden and house plants with the high nitrate water too :) </p>
<p>Dont forget you can water the dirt garden and house plants with the high nitrate water too :) </p> These replies all seem to mak…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2013-03-09:4778851:Comment:4475682013-03-09T19:57:36.868ZMatt T.https://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/MatthewAllenTanking
<p>These replies all seem to make good sense, so I am going to take the advice given. It sure won't hurt.</p>
<p>These replies all seem to make good sense, so I am going to take the advice given. It sure won't hurt.</p>