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If evaporation is a serious issue, you could cover up most of the fish tank (but be sure to add an air bubbler so there's enough oxygen for the fish). Also, if

by ph0rque 10y ago

If evaporation is a serious issue, you could cover up most of the fish tank (but be sure to add an air bubbler so there's enough oxygen for the fish). Also, if you dig a hole for the fish tank (like I didn't) that should help with the water temperature. In your case, tilapia would be a great fish to grow, they are really happy with water above 85F. Also, it would be a good idea to cover up the plastic, perhaps even more than my enclosure does, to ensure it doesn't degrade as quickly. I'll help customers make these and other design considerations as part of AutoMicroFarm support.

snuxoll 10y ago
> but be sure to add an air bubbler so there's enough oxygen for the fish Not a serious aquarist here, but I did a lot of research before getting my little 10 gallon tank at home set up and everything I've read says the oxygen introduced by air bubbles in the water doesn't really dilute in the water well (most of it just comes up the bubble and out into the open air). In theory, as long as there is a big enough hole for a modest amount of air to be exchanged with the surrounding environment you shouldn't need any extra equipment, as the surface of the water should continue to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide just fine as long as there is enough oxygen present.
- wtracy 10y ago
  What really matters is the surface agitation. Bubblers will do that, but so will any pump as long as the outflow is directed toward the surface. A better idea, I feel, is to just keep a layer of air between the water surface and the cover. The key issue is that oxygen has trouble crossing the air/water boundary, so you want that to be as big as possible. Meanwhile, if you keep the air holes in the cover small enough, most of the humid air will be trapped inside, and you will minimize losses from evaporation.
  - ph0rque 10y ago
    Another factor to consider is the air pressure. If you cover up the fish tank, and add the air bubbler, the pressure will increase, which will increase the dissolution of oxygen into the water.
prawn 10y ago
You might also need a mesh cover in some areas. In Australia, for example, magpies, crows, etc would make short work of the fish.
- kordless 10y ago
  You should get some racoons.
  - prawn 10y ago
    We have possums. They don't go through our bins, but they scour leaves from trees (until the tree dies) and make demonic noises at night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHulXzuc_9Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHulXzuc_9Y Wish we had raccoons and squirrels!
    - apapli 10y ago
      OT I know but aren't possums just great. They look cute but would tear you to shreds. And you are absolutely right, they sound like demons. When I was younger they really freaked me out till my parents told me that was what the noise was.

by ph0rque 10y ago

snuxoll 10y ago

> but be sure to add an air bubbler so there's enough oxygen for the fish Not a serious aquarist here, but I did a lot of research before getting my little 10 gallon tank at home set up and everything I've read says the oxygen introduced by air bubbles in the water doesn't really dilute in the water well (most of it just comes up the bubble and out into the open air). In theory, as long as there is a big enough hole for a modest amount of air to be exchanged with the surrounding environment you shouldn't need any extra equipment, as the surface of the water should continue to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide just fine as long as there is enough oxygen present.

wtracy 10y ago
What really matters is the surface agitation. Bubblers will do that, but so will any pump as long as the outflow is directed toward the surface. A better idea, I feel, is to just keep a layer of air between the water surface and the cover. The key issue is that oxygen has trouble crossing the air/water boundary, so you want that to be as big as possible. Meanwhile, if you keep the air holes in the cover small enough, most of the humid air will be trapped inside, and you will minimize losses from evaporation.
- ph0rque 10y ago
  Another factor to consider is the air pressure. If you cover up the fish tank, and add the air bubbler, the pressure will increase, which will increase the dissolution of oxygen into the water.

prawn 10y ago

You might also need a mesh cover in some areas. In Australia, for example, magpies, crows, etc would make short work of the fish.

kordless 10y ago
You should get some racoons.
- prawn 10y ago
  We have possums. They don't go through our bins, but they scour leaves from trees (until the tree dies) and make demonic noises at night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHulXzuc_9Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHulXzuc_9Y Wish we had raccoons and squirrels!
  - apapli 10y ago
    OT I know but aren't possums just great. They look cute but would tear you to shreds. And you are absolutely right, they sound like demons. When I was younger they really freaked me out till my parents told me that was what the noise was.