In a Greenhouse, do I still need to heat the water for the fish?

[Zach]

I live in Canada, Southern Ontario and yes it is very cold this year around minus 20 C as a constant.

I have a greenhouse that sits at 60 F or as cold as 43 F at night, when wind chill gets up and going.

I am new to this and about to build a small system with a 10 gallon tank and a small bed, using goldfish will I need to heat the tank ? if so to what temp?

 

Day time temps are around 80 when the sun is out and the fan running, it will be a flood and drain system and vermiculite or pebble for the media bed.

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Indoor-Aquaponics-System

 

This is roughly the system I am thinking of using, as well as a filter system of some kind if anyone has a suggestion.

 

Zach

[George]

the growbed is the filter

vermiculite will break down over time and is considered to be not a good choice for media

fish requirements are determined by the fish you choose - goldfish, I don't know

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Goldfish can go do ok in cold water but the plants wont grow very fast. Colder root zone temps can inhibit plant growth. You might consider a larger volume of water so the temp doesn't swing as much as it will for 10 gallons. Temperature swings can cause the chemistry to change in your water such that it can cause stress for the fish. If you do choose to heat 10 gallons it would only take a 25 watt heater to keep it around 70.

[Zach]

ok thanks 70 will be doable , can set heater to 88 and see what I get in the end.

do I need to wait to put fish in water until its 70 or can they go in earlier ?

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

When you transfer fish from one tank to another you should always match the PH and temperature to the tank they came from. Then slowly change the temp from there.

[Zach]

I will admit I am not knowledgeable with fish, never had any.

I got them from petsmart and drove home with them and had to use some water from the tap.....I know its a no no but had no choices today.

15 goldfish in a 10 gallon would not think all are going to make it anyway so its a learning curve.

Thanks all for the help, will be asking a million question again soon.

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

As they say in the aquaculture business, your not a pro until you have killed a million fish ;)

[Zach]

Just started with 15 ....lol

having siphon issues right now, can I just run the pump hour on hour off for now to try adding air to the tank for the fish ?

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Gold fish don't need a lot of air in the water, they can breath air at the surface in a pinch. Plant roots and bacteria need the O2 and should not be flooded for long periods.

[Zach]

I am running the pump constantly right now dumping into beds and out of the beds back into the fish tank.

 

I am looking at getting a 160 GPH pump early next week, and need a siphon that actually WORKS.

 

Zach

[Zach]

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

Check out the siphon I designed call the EZ-T Siphon. http://youtu.be/PnZRklJxAeQ which was the original design and the final design http://youtu.be/MM_6veJv8aY

It is very reliable, easy to make and will work in a small grow bed with a 1/2 inch stand pipe.

[Zach]

So after three trys I think this one will finally work, that is if I can get my siphon to work and a pump that will give me enough flow without costing too much.

 

Any easy siphon idea out there? I think the bulk head connector i have is too big and causing me problems with getting a seal at the bottom of the bed when the water level gets to the top.