My fish died

[Adam Shivers]

I was wondering if there are any Ideas how to balance my system without any expensive tests. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to afford a test kit. Maybe it's not possible but I thought maybe someone has had success with something that I could glean from. I started my system with goldfish as I have always had success with them living long in just a bowl that we keep clean. Well why would they all die when the plants are helping me? Too many? - I've never had so many (15 or less) but I've also not had a 55 gallon aquarium either. I've had little one to two gallon bowls before. All of my fish died.

[Adam Shivers]

I am hoping to get to the country... we are in town and I am raising quail in a trailer in my driveway- it's cool but I love the homesteading stuff and am praying for a miracle farm!

 

Kellen Weissenbach said:

Quail are awesome, aren't they?  I raised quail for years.  I'm actually looking forward to doing that again when we get settled on the new farm this August.

[Adam Shivers]

I have had 2 minnows in my system for awhile. they were left over from a fishing trip. I have just been sprouting wheat grass from system. Nutrients aren't needed for this but it is auto rinsed and that helps. I wait until the enzyme inhibitors are rinsed off before putting them in the system. I tray the sprouted wheat seeds and place the tray (with paper towel media) right on the hydroton. I keep it covered for darkness for a few days and then uncover it and turn grow lights on to let it green up. Yum

[TCLynx]

That will also work for pea shoots, sunflower shoots, radish and turnip shoots, corn shoots and probably several others.

[Adam Shivers]

 We have been sprouting as you suggested and have learned a bit and enjoyed it! We like the sunflower shoots! I just haven't done it in the system yet. That's a good Idea.  we didn't like the peas as much so the second round just went to the garden to get more peas to cook!

[TCLynx]

We found that if you leave them too long the sunflower shoots get bitter so get em early.

[Adam Shivers]

yes and the nutritional value drops. (for any sprout) - And we are making great strides with our quail -towards food production.