Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Aspiring aquapon in York, PA. 2 running systems presently.

One in basement:
4x3x1 grow bed
275 gallon stock tank (FT)
bio-media filter 55 gallon barrel sump

One in greenhouse:
2 1/2 55 gallon drum grow beds
55 gallon barrel FT
30 gallon drum sump
2 5 gallon dutch buckets

Looking for anyone close to me that would be interested in sharing tips and brainstorming ideas to make each system better.

welcome aboard... lots of pa folks, i've got 2 basement systems in northeast ohio

Welcome Tim!

lax4ivan is in Hanover, I used to live outside Gettysburg but now live in Frederick.

Start a Members System thread and post pictures and you'll get advice world-wide!

Hey I noticed on your site that you're going to grow hybrid striped bass, I'm interested in how that goes so please start a members thread soon!

Hey Tmcmaster I'm Over In Hanover.

To I'm Getting Ready To Do A Basement System Would Love To See Yours.

I'm in Chambersburg, PA and would love to know more about systems in our climate. Those of you with basement systems, is humidity a problem for you? If here is already a thread about this, please feel free to redirect me.

I don't have any plans for a system yet, but I can't stop thinking about it.

Welcome gymgem I used to live in Cashtown.

I had a system in the basement for a few years, our basement was unheated but well insulated (chilly). I didn't have a problem with humidity, this was with heated water for tilapia but the space was large not cramped.

Start scanning Craigslist for possible equipment like aquariums or stock tanks or IBC totes. I got most of my stuff from Lowe's and Tractor Supply in Chambersburg and all my gravel from the Sand and Gravel place on 97 (on the way from 30 to the mall). If you told the office lady you just wanted about 50 gallons to fill up some planters she would let me get it for about $2. I had over 200 gallons of gravel gotten that way.

Once I get my new system going enough to be interesting you're welcome to come down to Frederick and talk shop if you'd like.

Thanks DD, I might just take you up on that!

My family is starting up a aquaponics system and was wondering if any of the PA folks here had experience with the tilapia permits by pa dept of agr. and or if they are still required and if this only applies to commercial grower/hatcheries we plan on having a closed loop system and live no where near a stream or river help would be appreciated . hate to invest and build to get caught and shut down ... if so how easy are they to get what issues are there.. I would like to use ibc containers out back covered to keep birds out in summer and basement in winter

Hi UP:

I emailed a guy with the MD SeaGrant about permits being required in MD and he forwarded it to someone at the Dept of Natural Resources and gave me the form. You might try the PA Dept of Natural Resources then. In MD a license is required, it's free, and I have to tell them who my supplier was, they keep track of who has been tested for what pathogens.