Run system on fish food?

[Peter H.]

Hello all,

 

Most of my tilapia died due to cold weather and overfeeding.  I have only two hardy buggers left and think maybe I should wait till the weather warms up before getting more fish. 

I just started a small 14 gallon tote/grow bed three weeks ago and the spinach, swiss chard and basil are doing well.

I was wondering if the fish food itself, without being processed through fish, is enough to sustain the vegetables till it becomes warm enough for more fish?

 

Thank you.

[TCLynx]

Possibly, however, over feeding to feed the veggies can still be harmful to your remaining fish.

 

I would recommend you check your nitrate level.  If that is reading something in the orange to red range with the API test kits, you might not need any more nutrients for the time being.  And just keep feeding the two fish an appropriate amount for them and you might not need any more.  A 14 gallon tote is not that big and you might already have enough nutrients for a time.

[Safwat Zaki]

What is the temperature in the fish tank and the grow beds? I thin if the temperature drops below 50 F. the beneficial bacteria will stop from converting any ammonia to nitrate and your vegetables will show chlorosis and the leaves will become stunt.

 

[TCLynx]

Safwat,

   I've had systems running through cold spells here and I've had water temperatures down far below 50 F for days even over a week at a time and not gotten ammonia spikes.  While I agree that the bacteria will really slow down at cooler temperatures, It isn't like it just suddenly stops at 50 F.  Of course most fish are not eating as much at those temps so there will be less ammonia to convert.