Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My tiny little green house is in my parents backyard where I use Goldfish fed with flakes. You can check out my journal/blog about it at http://www.aquaponicsproject.wordpress.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izu-9bb3cpo

C424

Nice to see another APer in the area. I thought about putting a greenhouse but our weather is so good for growing here I didn't really see a need. Most other states are envious of our grow season. =)

Actually still might do the greenhouse... Cut down my tree and cover my whole backyard, fence line to fence line. I'm thinking backyard jungle with a butterfly exhibit. Might cause a bit of a stir with the neighbors though.

Great job with the system.

Thanks Xtreme.

True about the neighbors. Thankfully we know them.

The weather is usually pretty good, but this was partly just to keep dirt/dust and small critters away. There's chicken wire installed along the bottom in an attempt to keep them from getting to the crops.

Darcy
www.aquaponicsproject.wordpress.com

Hey there, Darcy! Another N Cal neighbor!

As far as fish numbers go, as long as you have at least a couple gallons of water per lb of fish and double that in gravel, you should be fine. Double those volumes for a fairly new system and you should be quite safe.

I started with tilapia, but the heating costs are incredible, even with insulation and cleverness the cost is still high. Most folks I've talked to have gone over to carp (in Germany), catfish, trout, or bluegill. Tilapia stop eating much below 65, goldfish and catfish below 50, and trout are often still hungry at 35.

As far as toughness, carp/goldfish are tops, right up there with tilapia in heat and water quality. And I've seen a school of goldfish survive under ice for weeks while my tilapia got sick after a few weeks at 55degF (but bringing them in to a warm, salty, indoor aquarium fixed them up pretty quickly). I think it is more important to minimize temperature fluctuations, but don't know what will actually bother them: 10 degrees per day seems to be fine.

Have fun!

Thought I would pop in here,


I am east of sacramento in Penryn, just starting with a 10x12' Greenhouse and a small system to get my feet wet so to speak.

John

I'm checking in for the first time. I'm right in the middle of the city. I have a 300 gal IBC tank 150 gal sump/watergarden and two 50 gallon ebb and flood beds. All I have so far are gambusia and a Placostema. I want something to eat though! Anybody got a handle on some fish in the area. I'm looking for catfish and PAS has not been replying nor anybody else on the DFG public aquaculturist list for that matter

Did a google for "fish farms" in sacramento and came up with quite a few hits. Looked like most of them required 4-500 min order, maybe we could get a "group buy" going and supply all of us with some?

John

PAS will deliver fish. You just need to call them. Be persistent with any of the aquaculturists you call. They can be difficult to get a hold of.

It may be good to get a few people together to buy a big order together. We will get a better price per fish. I was thinking of buying 300 catfish and sharing some with anyone who wanted them.

I'm about ready to get rid of mine as am probably moving around for a while. I have about 50 cats from 8" to 14", about ten large goldfish, and a single orange tilapia. Anyone want to make an offer for any or all?

Hello I have been looking into Aquaponics for a few months and considering getting my feet wet sometime in 2013.

I suppose I should be trying to find an IBC container or two.

Also, curious what fish people in the Sacramento area are having the best luck with? Is there a variety of
tasty fish which can survive in a fairly cheap system year round?

My vote is for channel catfish.