Comment

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on January 14, 2012 at 12:44pm

Kurtis, keep an eye on Craigslist and keep the word out. Once in a while you run across a deal. But you have to be patient. Also, you may need to be willing to clean the tanks to get the deal. 

I recommend morning sun and afternoon shade-full afternoon shade in the summer. Adjust with shade cloth for the seasons.

We'll have nile tilapia available in a month or so. What fish are you planning on using? The number of fish depends on the kind of fish. For tilapia, count on about 20 full-sized fish in 100 gal. But in your IBC you'll be able to have more. I assume you'll be transfering the fish from the tank to the IBC? If so, your fish will start small, so you can have as many as will fit in your IBC. Count 1 fish/5 gal.

I recommend you get a heater, since we're not passed the freezes, unless you're doing goldfish. Also, insulate your tank as the weather gets warmer. Tanks are metal-they attract heat in the summer & don't hold heat in the winter. So in the winter you'll face freezes and in the summer you'll boil fish unless you control heat transfer. You can use foam sheets.

Comment by Kurtis Ryan on January 14, 2012 at 11:47am

Dose any know where to get IBC Tanks for under $100 that is food grade  thanks.  Going to start my up shortly  need to find a place in my yard any ideas  like fun sun then use shade screen or part sun thanks I also need some fish  I have a 100gal. tank for fish that I'm going to use. It is a water tanks for horses about how many fish can I put in there  I have two grow bed that are 27gal. each  thanks for all your help.

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 14, 2012 at 8:30am

This morning I found my large tank high in ammonia. I was using 15/45 on my timer. I have adjusted my timer to 15/15 and started an hour earlier. I do not cycle the tank during non sun hours.  I will check back this afternoon to see if I need to do a partial flush.

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 14, 2012 at 8:24am

raft:

I believe the raft system is very good for commercial applications. I worked closely, on start-up, with a student who is using a raft system for his research at UA. This will not be of interest to most people. So, if you are interested send me an email Dave@eStory.US

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 13, 2012 at 6:13pm

Maynhia, I hope this is what you asked me.

Fish generate waste. This waste is in aquarium water is combined with over feeding and decaying material, creating ammonia. This ammonia is toxic to plants and animals. Oxidation of the ammonia creates nitrites. When the bacterial populations in the biofilter (growing media) are sufficient, nitrites are transformed into nitrates. Nitrates are fertilizer. Too much fertilizer is hazardous, too.  This is a simple explanation. This is the reason, why I feel the raft system needs to be after the grow-bed. The bacterias in the biofilter are essential to good plant health. A test for these 3 and pH are essential to keeping a balanced system.

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on January 13, 2012 at 4:35pm

Worms do reduce solids (they eat a bunch, then produce a little), but you'd need a lot of worms to consume all the solids from your fish if you pump it straight to your growbed. Filters and/or sumps work with worms, but worms can't replace them. Pantyhose should work, as do kitchen scrubbers (we use the green scotch pads) and aquarium filter material. You have to clean them regularly, whatever you use.

Comment by David Schwinghamer on January 13, 2012 at 4:06pm

I thought that worms in your growbed would take care of any solids that pass? What do you think of putting pantyhose over the inlet of a pump?

Comment by Maynhia Stott on January 13, 2012 at 2:39pm

yes Dave I have some air stone I will put in the raft. Can you explain your other thoughts about waiting a while for the ammonia and nitrite to convert.

Comment by Maynhia Stott on January 13, 2012 at 2:35pm

If anyone want some lava rock as medium I found this post on craigslist for free lava rocks. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/zip/2790819406.html

The guy has a little more than 1 ton of rocks. I asked him if they have ever been used with chemicals and he said that he's had the rocks since 1994. They are abt 1inch in size. 

If you live outside of the metro area and want the rocks I can go get some and hold them for you. Let me know

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 13, 2012 at 12:59pm

I tried to find out.. NO joy.

the picture I ordered from showed the whole crayfish as red. So, my guess is not red claw.. If you find a place for red claw, I will go in with you for an order, if that works for you.

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