Please welcome Eyoyo Underwater Fishing Cameras.https://amzn.to/3siEgXn
I will also guess, too warm. I keep about 200-300 shiners in two small barrels, from the end of October to about April. I don't feed, I don't aerate, or filter...I change the water after about a week, then again the next week, then maybe once a month until I don't need them anymore. I use cold well water directly out of my faucet and keep the water as cold as possible without freezing. I've tried several other methods, including a double 55gal. barrel set up with pool filters, I also have a chest freezer that didn't work well for me (seems to work for others), but the method I use now is simple and I usually only lose about a dozen shiners over the several months that I keep them. Good luck!
The reason why the ammonia and everything got out of wack was that there was no bio filter. You can buy the mix of bacteria and good bio agents from pet supply places. You also want some sort of high surface area structure in the tank for these bacteria to build. I have used green scrub pads cleaned thoroughly and the this seems to give the bacteria plenty of surface area. You want your system to be running, about at least a week (2 is better) before you put fish in there. And I always recommend adding small amounts of fish rather than a huge batch to a new system. You can also had a water conditioner, minnow saver i think they call it. Turns the water blue but helps with keeping the bioslime on the minnows skin healthy and also provided some nutrients and buffer to the water.
Shack Man, I would split that 5 dozen into two five gallon buckets..In aquariums they recommend an inch per gallon of fish.. No real surface area for bio filtering in a bucket..You can use three buckets, two with fish, and the other already filled from the last time you did a 50% water change to each bucket.. Fill it up right after every water change and keep it where you keep the minnows so no worries about temperature shocking up or down. If you have chlorine in your tap water letting it sit for a day will allow it to dissipate as well..Although you may already familiar with all the above..Good luck!!<°)))>{The benefits are, not all the eggs in one basket..
Good idea, That makes even more sense and yes I do have to let it set for 24 hrs to eliminate the chlorine. Thank you IS.
Hard to tell exactly what caused it. That water temp seems a bit warm to me.Overstocked tank? Not sure how big your tank isKeep in eye on the pH and ammonia levels.
didn't mean to ignore you. appreciate your response. the tank is one of those 100 gal rubbermaid stock tanks. Had filter running for about 2 weeks prior to adding my 1st 2-3 dozen shiners. A week later, got another few dz. Next week, went trapping local salt marsh creek for the mummichaugs. loaded up with about 12 dz. Did some research on Ich. if the fungus spores do not attach to host, it dies.Would like to set tank up outdoors this year. wondering how you guys that keep your tanks outside insulate it on the sides and on top as well as how do you keep the filter from freezing? I have a back deck that i can put it under.
Would like to set tank up outdoors this year. wondering how you guys that keep your tanks outside insulate it on the sides and on top as well as how do you keep the filter from freezing? I have a back deck that i can put it under.
You mentioned keeping it on a deck..Just keep in mind 100 gallon tank weighs 836 pounds of just water...<°)))>{
Is there any way to add say lauan or some other kind of wood to block wind to the area from any direction like if it was in a small shed ?? Wind whipping threw the area will for sure freeze it faster.. or even encase the tank with some wood on four sides like a shed.. but still have access to the stock tank?? Then use a stock tank de icer to keep ice off once ice starts to form on the stock tank..put the heater in it. Or does it not conform to the laws of your neighbor hood ?? Some areas like we're I live the shed has to match the house etc etc.. but this is all up to you and the time your willing to devote to the project??
porch is 10x14 and about 5' clearance. I have kayaks and canoe on a rack under it. porch runs east/west with a prevailing wind from the west. The house is on the north side. the boat rack is on the west side. there is a bulkhead on the west about 8' from the deck and a central ac unit right next to the porch on the west side. No sno build up under the porch. need to keep away from house as ice forms there from melting snow from porch and roof. what about the filter? how do I protect that?BTW, I thank you all for your suggestions. APJ - i'd like to get a working one and leave it in the house and keep the water cold and not worry about the filter.