If you have an established aquaponics system and thinking to move to a new home, the following article may help you. I am in this situation and need to move my aquaponics system.
Also, few days ago I received the below question:
can you please explain how we can move about 2000L system 50km. how do we break down and assemble again without harming the fish and maintaining bacteria in the growbeds. Thanks
It is an interesting question and as I am exactly in this process. So I will explain you how I plan and recommend to move the system.
Let’s move the aquaponics system in 20 steps
1. Stop feeding the fish 3 days before
When you stop feeding your fish, they will empty their digestive system. Hence, they will consume less oxygen and be stronger to face the coming stress.
2. Prepare a second tank for reception
Find a tank with sufficient volume (the larger the better) with a minimum of 25L of water per kg of fish. Then, fill it with water at the new location. Add an air pump with air stone. It will keep the oxygen level high.
3. Transfer the fish into an eskis/buckets at low density with air pumps if possible
You will now catch your fish. Place them in a transportable bucket and respect the law of maximum 1kg of fish per 25L of water. Furthermore, if you have a little battery air pump it will be very helpful. However, the aim is to transport the fish as quickly as possible.
4. Once arrived, transfer the fish into the temporary tank and do not feed them
The transfer must include an acclimation. We want to avoid a choc between the 2 water quality and temperature. The acclimation can last for 30 minutes. In this case please make sure to add an air-stone in the tank.
5. Remove the plants from growbed
Try to keep them alive and keep the roots covered.
6. Wash the media
The media may be partially clogged with organic matters. Now is a good time to clean it. See the previous video on cleaning the aquaponics grow-bed here.
7. Transfer the media into buckets/bags.
You will probably not be able to move the grow-bed full of media. So shovel the media into several bucket for transport ease.
8. Empty the fish tank
You can now siphon the fish tank and take this opportunity to clean the bottom of any potential mud/gravel…
9. Move the whole equipment to new location
Move the equipment including the plants to your new home
10. Put the aquaponics system in place
Rebuild the aquaponics system in his original configuration. Which means grow-bed above the fish tank.
11. Fill the growbed with media
Empty the media buckets back into the grow-bed
12. Put the plants in place
Replant your plants In the growbed. Take this opportunity to place the tall ones at the back
13. Fill it with water
Fill the fish tank with water
14. Turn the water pump on
Power the system
15. Siphon the bottom of the tank (optional)
Wait for 4 hours of cycle. You can now siphon the bottom of the fish tank if required.
16. Do a water test.
Proceed to a water test. If ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are below fish limits go to next step. If not, renew 70% water, wait for few hours and retest the water.
17. Introduce the fish back into the fish tank
You can now re-introduce the fish into the fish tank. However, do not feed them. Keep the temporary tank in place for few days in case of emergency.
18. Do regular water test.
Proceed to regular water test every 2 days for a week. You want to make sure everything is going well.
19. Start feeding your fish with low quantity of food
If after 24 hours the water parameters are ok, start feeding your fish with low quantity of food
20. feed your fish normally
If after another 24 hours the water parameters are ok, you can feed your fish normally.
Tap yourself in the back, congratulations you have moved your aquaponics system!
You will probably be interested to discover Jonathan’s six steps to build and manage an Aquaponics system. <a href=’https://secure.melbourneaquaponics.com.au/optin_box/6p1czm6hthzfuzmq’ data-delay=’0′ data-exit=’false’> Click here to access for free! </a><script src=’https://www.clickfunnels.com/assets/cfpop.js’ type=’text/javascript’></script> Thanks and good reading 🙂
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