Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So here is a run down of my main system. 275 gal(1000L) IBC tote for future fish tank, a 55 gallon fish tank with 22 blue tilapia, a 55 gallon filter made up of a 5 gallon water cooler bottle plumbed in for solids collection and then the remaining use of the 55 gallon tank will be moving bio bed filter or minieralization tank(still working on designs), this all then flows into 4 2'x3' grow beds that are just half a 55 gallon barrel, before running into a 55 gallon sump mad up of two halves of a 55 gallon barrel with a 2" line connecting them to balance out the water level. This is all housed in uninstalled garage, the goal is to have this system survive the winter, because if I can get it to survive in my garage I can get it to survive in a warehouse or double walled green house(the end goal).

So I would love input. I will be running my lights 24/7 they are 4 UnitFarm UFO 80 they do generate a bit of heat. I will also be using a reservoir heater as well. I will also try to find pipe insulation for all my main lines.

I want to avoid space heaters and the like, I am aware I will probably loose all my plants this winter, but as long as I keep the water temp over 50 degrees I should be okay, If needed I bypass the IBC tote and just focus on my current 55 gallon fish tank as it will be easier to heat, but at the same time it will be more easily cooled by the air. Also would it make sense to wall off below the grow beds to limit the convection effects on the grow beds and sump tanks? Would it make sense to put a cheap submersible heater in the main feed line to the grow beds seeing that is holding water the whole time?

So what have you guys gone though with winter conditions? Any suggestions?

I will include pictures of my current setup.

Here is the inlet into the 55 gallon fish tank from the IBC. As I said it would be easy enough to bypass the IBC all together, if I have fish in there before winter it will be some from of goldfish or koi that could survive the winter like that. The whole system is fed from a 3/4" pipe from the sump tank and then I use 2" pipe to carry all my water and then 3/4" valves to the grow beds and 3/4" stand pipes in the siphons.