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Comment by David Schwinghamer on February 17, 2012 at 8:14am

Chicken coops Jack, tell me about it.

Comment by Jacques L. on February 16, 2012 at 3:21pm

OK, been bashing my head trying to figure out a gameplan for our backyard AP setup. Original thinking was to extend our existing shed and essentially turn that into the greenhouse. Problem is materials cost. So now the idea is that will now be solely the place to house and protect the tank. As for the greenhouse itself, I'm now thinking a 'hoop house' is the way to go. Easy to setup, non-permanent structure, no permitting needed, material costs being minimal. Got a materials list, so figure I'll get cracking on that as soon as the chicken coop/run is completed this weekend!

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 16, 2012 at 2:58pm

Go Aunt Bonnie!
No tilling growbeds, and no weeding either. And you can set the height to what's comfortable for her. :)

Comment by Holly Curtis on February 16, 2012 at 2:35pm

By the way, Aunt Bonnie, 83, heard I was raising fish.  She wants to raise fish too.  Apparently she has something she thinks will work as a pond.  This could be interesting.  I will see if BF and I can go visit with her this weekend.  She is an avid gardener so I might see if can find a good video to show her about how it all works.  At 83, she still has a garden every year.  She gets someone to till it and help plant it and harvest, but always has a nice crop. She is close by so we could probably help check on her fish project if she is serious.  She might be.  She also has a son who is a contractor...I wonder if we could get him interested in building us some ponds. 

Comment by Jacques L. on February 16, 2012 at 2:35pm

Sheri, that test kit was my bad... came across it this morning and passed it along to John. Nitrates... gotta know the Nitrates! OK, got the link from Holly bookmarked.

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 16, 2012 at 2:24pm

John, the one you posted has phosphate testing, which isn't so important, and it's missing nitrates. Check out the one Holly posted. It has the tests you need, and it cost less, too. :)

Comment by Holly Curtis on February 16, 2012 at 2:13pm

Ok Sheri.  Will do. 

I bought the fresh water test kit.  Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B000255NCI/...

Comment by John Malone on February 16, 2012 at 1:59pm

Is this the correct water testing kit to use?

http://www.amazon.com/PondCare-164M-Complete-Pond-Water/dp/B0002DJN...

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 16, 2012 at 12:31pm

Holly, you're right, you're going through the cycling process. Have you tested it? Test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Do that asap.

The algae will subside as you get the system in balance. That can take 4-6 weeks, so be patient. For now, try to block light as much as you can. Light + moisture = algae. Block the light, reduce the algae.

Let us know what the test measurements are.

Comment by Holly Curtis on February 16, 2012 at 10:38am

PS  My fish are still alive...as are my BF's.   My tank is outside and gets sun and is growing algea slime well.  Still thinking that Pleco's might help, though this tank has only had fish for a week and half so the ammonia cycle thing is probably still cycling. Not sure if Pleco's can handle that or not. I can scrub the sides....but this is a show aquarium and there is green stuff on the decorations too.  Yes, I am new to fish.  Oh, my BF is getting his stuff ready to go from just a fish tank to a cycling system.  Mine is still just an aquarium.

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