New and cycling

[Lance Rose]

Hello all,

I live in North East Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas. I had some 4X4's and found some free blue barrels. So I thought, what can I do with these....

I looked around on the internet and then this happened: :)

 

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Well done!

[Japan Aquaponics - アクアポニックス 日本]

looking great!

[Bob Vento]

Very Nice use of these items and will be beneficial once you start growing things. What is the mesh that you are using to cover your fish tank?

[Lance Rose]

Some plastic bird netting I had in the shed. I wanted to keep curious dogs from playing with the fish. I now have 12 minnows and 12 goldfish. I really haven't decided on what fish to add. But the feed store said the stock pond fish sellers are coming this weekend. So I have all week to make up my mind. I also got about 50 night crawlers for free. I put the red lava rock in with a pea gravel on top and planted strawberries. All I need now is fish! 

I know I am doing things out of order. But the worms and the fish were a "gift" leftover from fishing last weekend. The plants were on sale. I am hoping to get everything in balance but I feel like I am not going to get it right.  Basically I'm hoping that I am getting close enough to allow luck to get me there. Now that is quality planning.

Bob Vento said:

Very Nice use of these items and will be beneficial once you start growing things. What is the mesh that you are using to cover your fish tank?

[Lance Rose]

It looks crooked in the picture, but it really is level. Now that it weighs too much to move, I realized I put it too close to the fence. The pump is in the back and I just barely fit between the tanks and the barb-wire.

All the little things you don't think about...

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

You have done things in the right order, first plants then fish. We call it fishless cycling. We do this so when we put the fish in they aren't at risk from dying from poor water quality. During the cycling we add ammonia to 2ppm until first nitrites and then nitrates show up. After the bacteria have colonized then we are ready for fish!

Lance Rose said:

Some plastic bird netting I had in the shed. I wanted to keep curious dogs from playing with the fish. I now have 12 minnows and 12 goldfish. I really haven't decided on what fish to add. But the feed store said the stock pond fish sellers are coming this weekend. So I have all week to make up my mind. I also got about 50 night crawlers for free. I put the red lava rock in with a pea gravel on top and planted strawberries. All I need now is fish! 

I know I am doing things out of order. But the worms and the fish were a "gift" leftover from fishing last weekend. The plants were on sale. I am hoping to get everything in balance but I feel like I am not going to get it right.  Basically I'm hoping that I am getting close enough to allow luck to get me there. Now that is quality planning.

Bob Vento said:

Very Nice use of these items and will be beneficial once you start growing things. What is the mesh that you are using to cover your fish tank?

[Lance Rose]

Thanks. Luck is with me until the Texas sun comes out. I am thinking about burying the barrels about 3/4 deep.

Jonathan Kadish said:

You have done things in the right order, first plants then fish. We call it fishless cycling. We do this so when we put the fish in they aren't at risk from dying from poor water quality. During the cycling we add ammonia to 2ppm until first nitrites and then nitrates show up. After the bacteria have colonized then we are ready for fish!

Lance Rose said:

Some plastic bird netting I had in the shed. I wanted to keep curious dogs from playing with the fish. I now have 12 minnows and 12 goldfish. I really haven't decided on what fish to add. But the feed store said the stock pond fish sellers are coming this weekend. So I have all week to make up my mind. I also got about 50 night crawlers for free. I put the red lava rock in with a pea gravel on top and planted strawberries. All I need now is fish! 

I know I am doing things out of order. But the worms and the fish were a "gift" leftover from fishing last weekend. The plants were on sale. I am hoping to get everything in balance but I feel like I am not going to get it right.  Basically I'm hoping that I am getting close enough to allow luck to get me there. Now that is quality planning.

Bob Vento said:

Very Nice use of these items and will be beneficial once you start growing things. What is the mesh that you are using to cover your fish tank?