All Gone

All my fish died this morning.

I am totally devastated. I am to be blame for not taking evasive steps fast enough. I didn't have sufficient testing equipment to test the water to determine the cause of deteriorating water quality.

My IBC still not completed - which I'd planned to transfer the fish into

It finally happened

My poor fingerlings.

10 of my current fishes were floating when I got home today evening. I believe it was due to stress and possible water condition. While doing up the IBC on Saturday, I noticed the fishes in the barrel tank showed sign of gasping for air. My siphon systems seemed to have developed a major issue thus the ebb and flow was not functioning properly.
I hastily replaced new filter and replenish 50% water which at that instance has turned murky green. I guess the combination of sudden new tank water at night might have affected the poor fingerlings. This has been by far the most number of fish losses at 10 in a day. Sadly most that have died seemed to be the female (smaller).

IBC Tote Aquaponic Build Up

Spent an afternoon to build up a new system using used IBC (Industrial Bulk Container)

Scribbled the plan to guide me - thanks to YouTubes Rob Bob's Aquaponics (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_VROMhAoSs&t=594s) and Backyard Aquaponics  videos (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYFM7J_TpTU&t=1306s)

Gathered some basic tools - Jigsaw, Hex Screws, Hand Drill, Measuring Tape, Filer, Self Tapping Screws, and Disc Grinder....

Removing the two top retaining bar using hex screws from the plastic tank slots.

Tipped over the IBC and easily slide out the plastic tank from the cage.

Placed the plastic tank aside, mark the cutting level of the cage - preferably below the first horizontal slat.

With a good grinder disc, the whole cutting off the top cage took about 20 minutes. Wear proper gloves and eye protection.

Mark on the tank the finished level to be cut and take out the jigsaw. But suggest to make starter holes at the corners for easier jigsaw operation.

Cut the straight surfaces first then only do over at the corners. Now we have the grow-bed and fish tank

I personally think this next step is critical - re slot the retaining bars before securing to top cage

Secure the top cage back onto the grow-bed base.

Put aside the grow-bed top and slot in the fish tank

Testing the fish-tank cage for snugly fit

Simple IBC tote Aquaponics ready. However as you can see, the exposed cut bars pointing up is not desirable. The way the IBC was built, there is another line of horizontal bar at the base plate.

Loosen the bottom cage hex screw holders at the base, then flip it up, making the base horizontal bar become the top. Then fix a few numbers of  self tapping screws at the bottom bars to secure the cage firmly to the base plate.

Surprisingly the above operation was performed singlehandly by yours truly.

Ready for Next Phase

With the fingerlings now averaging 50mm (2inch), current 50 gallon drum (actually 25 gallon since its only half filled) is no longer able to hold 70+ 2 month old tilapias.

I got myself a used food grade IBC 1000liter (210gallon).

I am having my time full this weekend to modify the IBC into a workable growbed and new fish tank.

a little scare

I had a little scary incident during the weekend. My 50 gal barrel drum fish tank turned murky and there were signs the fishes gasping on the water surface. Admittedly, my sponge filters were not replaced for almost 3 weeks. Algae already accumulated along the inlet pipe. Secondly, i was a little bit overfeeding them partially due to the fact of trying to overcompensate from lack of filtration management.
2 more fatality on Saturday ,must be the females because they were almost half the size of other fish (50mm size after 2 months). Time for 50% water change instead of 20%. Having no significant rainfall the past week, i have to make do with house rooftop water tank. Scooped up sludge and clean up the submersible pump, almost choked with slimy grey matters and put up another finer screen lining to the sump gate.
Sponge filters were replaced finally and re jigged the siphon bell (it was choked with algae too) by putting another finer screen lining.
Its time to start looking for the 1000 liter IBC to transfer my teenage age fish. The barrel drum would be too crowded soon for them.