Well the system seems to be working well. The only problem I have had is keeping the water clean. Since it's in an aquarium it's very obvious when the water starts to get a little cloudy or funky. Initially I was using apple cider vinegar (Bragg's) partly because I often take it myself and liked the idea of the chickens having some since people seemed to think it was good for them. Trouble is I think it could be a problem with my system because things seem to start growing in the tank even with a complete change out of the water once a week. Maybe good (healthy?) things if the "mother" is still active but I'm concerned that they might clog up the relatively narrow hose leading from the acquarium to the nipples or possible clog the nipples thenselves. So we're trying our homemade collodial silver -- about half a dropper per quart of water. So far this seems to be keeping the water clear and based on our experience it would be good for the chickens. Has anyone else used this?
Well..I know im a day late (ok 5 weeks late from your post) but maybe youll see it anyway. I used to breed aquarium fish and can tell you for certain that if you keep sunlight away from your tank that you will greatly reduce the cloudiness (the start of algae growth). Could you wrap the tank in a black cloth or have light blocking shades or curtains on that window?
