Eddie's AP system with soil and hydroton as media

[JCO]

You're absolutely right, I forgot....it's KaBOOM..!

[eddiemigue]

Thanks 15mules, glad you have enjoyed the posts. I figured that sharing a blow by blow is my way of sharing and giving back, since I have gotten so much from the fine folks on this forum. Hopefully others can gain something from my experience and avoid some of the same mistakes.

As for an update, I was cleaning my system this week since the system had developed some flow issues (bioslime buildup in the lines) and the water quality was not so good. I transferred the fish to a glass aquarium during the process and was finally able to count the fish since I transferred them 1-2 at a time. I had ordered 30 tilapia and while I knew that I had received more, I was shocked that I had 69! No wonder the system that was sized for 30 is having trouble keeping up.

So, since I am in the process of changing my system, this development narrows my focus. I will get a larger tank (or setup several) in an indoor RAS setup and plumb the lines to outdoor GB's in an open loop arrangement. This will eliminate all my indoor growing issues, and allow for much more fish (including future generations as they breed). Now I just need to figure out where to get a reasonably priced tank. I currently have a rubbermaid stock tank, and while it works fine, it is black and makes it hard to see the fish. I would like get a light colored tank, but have not seen anything that is not beaucoup bucks.

[JCO]

Get another Rubbermaid stock tank and paint the inside with swimming pool paint; white, light blue or pink to please the wife. Allow it to cure properly then put water in it and throw in some of your used filter material, the dirtier the better, let it set in the sun for a 3 - 5 days, then it should be ready for service.

[15mules]

JCO, that is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for for my system, something that likes to live in dirty water. The dirty the better as you say, they like? I think me and these things will get along fine. i wonder if they would live in my pond with my catfish?? That water is dirty?

[eddiemigue]

Thanks JCO for the great advice. I was actually thinking of something similar last night as I lay in bed unable to fall asleep (I often get creative at bedtime and have bouts of inspiration, design new projects, run calculations, etc. when I should be sleeping). I remembered reading somewhere about folks who paint the inside of concrete tanks and thought something like that should work on the rubbermaid tanks, just have to figure out what kind of paint is safe. Lo and behold, you have answered without my asking. I'll get some swimming pool paint, pickup the tank and I'll be set.

Update on the scuds, as I was emptying out one of my GB's and when only a mm or so of water remained, I noticed a bunch of scuds scurrying around. Looks like they are flourishing and I probably have a bunch throughout the system. Hot dang!

[JCO]

Be very careful when you are working around them, they are easily crushed

[15mules]

Glad to finally find out that they are growing well for you.

[eddiemigue]

They seem to be doing well mules, just so tiny that they are hard to see. When I setup the new FT, I'm going to have to empty the duckweed/scud tank. Now how do I coral a bunch of tiny critters that dart around??? Guess I'll just have to drain all contents to a holding tank pending transfer.

JCO is a scud whisperer since he can get them to line up and enter a bag for shipping.

[15mules]

Put some minnows in the tank and let them catch the scuds for you.

[JCO]

What kind of container is the scud tank now. If it can be lifted, position it over the new tank and rinse them out along with their eggs.