Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I'm new and getting ready to build my first Aquaponics system. I was able to get my hands on a 275 gal IBC and plan to build a simple chop-flip system to begin with ([youtube]https://youtu.be/b_VROMhAoSs[/youtube])...then experiment with some DIY vertical towers after the system is established.

A couple questions...

I want my fish (hopefully tilapia) to live through winter, and I don't have room in the house for this system. But, I have a shed (10ft x 14ft on a concrete slab with 2 sliding windows) that could be insulated and I can run power to it fairly easily. Is this a bad idea?

Concerns are humidity, heat in the summer (100+ deg F outside, but the shed is covered by trees), and ventilation. Anyone with experience building a system in a garden shed?

Also, are tilapia my best bet, or should I go with a different fish? I've heard of people using blue gill and catfish, but I'd like to avoid catfish for now if possible.

Thanks for all of your help!

-Chris

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum

Hi Chris,

If you can keep the water warm enough (greater than 50ºF) then you might be able to keep Tilapia alive. But without help, I don't think Tilapia would survive a Mississippi winter, as mild as they may be. See this article about Thompson Fisheries in Holmes County, Mississippi and how their Tilapia die off with a hard cold front:

Delta Farm Press: Catfish, tilapia and grass carp environment-friendly

Maybe in Mississippi you wouldn't have to heat water too much of the time for your Tilapia?

--
Sam