raising fish for food? Update #109!!

[Pet Duck Boy]

Quote:
Like wifezilla said, you'd be surprised.

<---- that's my duck Sunny hunting down a small bass. You should see her now, she gets a monthly treat of fathead minnows, and if you saw her hunt them in her pool, you'd think she grew up under water eating fish all her life!

 

[sydney13]

Ok so it sounds like raising minnows with ducks really can't work, which I am fine with, it was only a little thought in the back of my mind. It seems like it would be way easier to just raise the fish in the 650 galloon pond and just buy minnows from a bait shop every now and then to supplement their diets with

 

[sydney13]

Ive been looking into filters and I will probably buy one from home depot.
I like this one because it is only $35

but Im not sure it would be effective enough, what do you guys think?
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Then their is this pressure filter with a UV sterilizer. Do you think that a UV sterilizer would be a good thing, to have or is it not worth it? Our pond has a problem with slim algae which I have read is the one type of algae that UV rays are not able to kill

Also would the fish be able to remove some of the algae by eating it, or would their poop only contribute to it?
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
and this seems like the same one with out the UV sterilizer
http://www.homedepot.com/Outdoors-O...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Could someone tell me what the difference between a pressure filter and a biological filter is

? Im guessing you still need to buy the pump separately with the pressure filters, right? Is their a filter brand that anyone recommends?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I do not recall using term pressure filter but I suspect it is intended to remove particulates. Biofilters employ a number of bacteria species that convert various organic (amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates etc.) and inorganic (ammonia, nitrite, etc.) compunds into forms that are not toxic or otherwise undesirable. Recommendations will likely be a function of what system is expected to support and how much you are willing to spend.

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

There's two filter categories - mechanical/chemical and biological. Bio filters utilize natural and beneficial bacteria to convert harmful ammonia, nitrates, and all the like into harmless materials. Mechanical/chemical uses items such as VERY fine sponges and such, and also chemical material like carbon, to filter impurities and minute materials. BOTH, in most cases, especially for ponds, will need pumps to function. If I were you, I'd dump the idea all together. When I kept large tanks, I used fluval canister filters. Canister filters are VERY expensive and it took me weeks of working some simple jobs till I could get them.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Also would the fish be able to remove some of the algae by eating it, or would their poop only contribute to it?

Yes and yes, but it depends on the kind of fish. If you have a carnivorous fish, it will not eat the algae, and it's poop will help to grow the algae. But if you have a vegetarian fish they will eat all the algae.

Then their is this pressure filter with a UV sterilizer. Do you think that a UV sterilizer would be a good thing, to have or is it not worth it?

UV filters are pretty much nonexistent in ponds, unless you are doing delicate koi or something. I don't think a UV filter would be able to handle the amount of algae. I don't think it's something you need to spend money on, we don't use one. IF you have the extra money and want to try it, who knows it might work.

But I do know it's not necessary for the fish.


Cycling;

ALSO, for your biological filter- you should just make one, it works just as well and it's cheaper; you will need to set it up above the pond/ tank... (you don't need pressure filters, UV filters etc all that other stuff)

1. Buy a pond pump, some pea-gravel, a 5 gallon bucket, and a GOOD amount of some hosing that fits on the pump.

2. Drill one hole in the bottom of the 5 gallon bucket JUST big enough to squeeze the tube through, run tube from pump up through to top of bucket.

3. Drill a BUNCH of very small (pencil eraser size) holes in the bottom of the bucket.

4. Fill bucket with gravel, making sure to leave hose sticking out top.

Now the water will run through the hose into the bucket filled with gravel and drain back out into the pond/ tank. Letting it run for a long time (with a small amount of fish in the tank) will establish the good bacteria, or you can purchase "active" filter pads from aquariests to "jump start" your colony.

It's essentially the same as a fish aquarium, read more on "cycling" here;
http://www.worldcichlids.com/faqs/cycling.html​

 

[Farmerman]

does anyone know a good source for plants fish like to eat? I have carp and tilapia.

I know there is duckweed, and its relatives fairy moss and watermeal. Watermeal is TINY. I found the first two of those, but there are many variations, and i want to try a bunch of them. I cant find watermeal, the smallest one. Id REALLY like a source for that, or if anyone here has it on there pond in the warm months Id love to buy or trade for some. Or cover shipping or whatever it takes....

does anyone know of other plants I can try???? Im looking for ones that grow fast, and provide good nutrition, like those listed above.

 

[Wifezilla]

Check my signature for biofilter info or google SKIPPY FILTER. They are so easy to make.

 

[sydney13]

What size pump do you recommend for making a biofilter with a 650 gallon pond?
Ive read that you need to wait a few weeks after installing the bio filter for the nitrogen cycle to start working before you can add the fish. so how do you know when you are able to add fish to the pond?

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Quote:
You can buy a test kit to check the water parameters at most pet stores. I never found these very accurate (I used electronic devices, expensive!) but for raising minnows you won't need much. To speed up the cycling, I always added half a gallon of pond water per 15 gallons of water. When I had them, I also used old aquarium filter pads, which work great too. By doing these two methods you can cut down the waiting time by maybe half at room temperature.