I just moved into my own house and was thinking of trying a greenwater tub over the summer for my fancies. I have some worries though. I'd like to set one up for all 3 but I also want to keep my indoor tank cycled so I was thinking of doing some sort of rotation. Would this work? I'm mostly interested in it for my black ranchu because I read that it helps with keeping the black color and he's my smallest fish so he could use some help.

Also, I have outdoor plugs right by where I would put it, but is it safe to use a regular old air pump? Do I need to try to waterproof it? The back porch where it would be is not covered so it would be pretty directly exposed to the elements but I'd have it against the house where the roof hangs over a bit is this ok? I was thinking of putting some sort of egg crate over it to keep out birds but what about bugs? Will the fish eat mosquito larva? Are there any possible parasites I should look out for?

My ph is naturally about 8.4-8.6. Since it's so high would it be safe with the increase from the greenwater? Any tiny bit of ammonia would be really toxic so I'm worried about that.

Thanks!
-missy

Rotation is the most common method used by greenwater users. Usually 3 months in greenwater then followed by another 3 months in indoor tank.

Regular old air pump would work well, but u do have to shelter it from the elements that can damage the pump.

Fish will definitely eat the mozzie larvae.

Not sure if the greenwater will increase the already high ph, but u might wanna try using the fishless method when first establishing ur greenwater.

Thanks! I put the fish poos from the last water change out there so hopefully I'll start seeing something in the next couple of days.

Well my pH starts off about 7.6-8ish, after 3 days in my greenwater tub it went up to 8.6 and with the ammonia it was just a death trap..

P.S someone read my other post and help? i want greenwater...