Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

hello all, i'm establishing an outdoor pond for our community garden that i'd like to incorporate some AP with. however, my partner is a bit of a bleeding heart and doesn't like fish in a confined space (i disagree, but wisely pick my battles after a decade of marriage).

with that being said, are crayfish or any other non-fish species decent alternatives for AP? we're in Indiana (Zone 6b), so freezing temps are a consideration. thank you in advance for your help!!

Hi and welcome to the forum

Ducks , search "Duckponics" needs to be set up properly to avoid contamination of produce

Fresh water crayfish / yabbies have a habit of killing each other

Seems about 3 a square metre after that and its not long and you have 3 a square metre so not enough nutrient to drive much of a system

I would go still with fish explain to partner that not all wild fish live in massive flowing rivers , lots live in natural ponds isolated for most of the year by gravel / rock structures , reed beds ect

Many die horribly from ponds drying up , birds ripping them to pieces , starving to death, ect ect

A well designed system mimics a natural stream with yes gravel and reed beds and a series of ponds

And your fish will probably die of old age with big fat bellies

Goldfish will love it and if you go an IBC or bigger you can tell your husband that you have saved them from a horrible life in a cramped fish bowl... And its not like you are dealing with native fish then... or fish that are going to grow to 200-300g.

Crayfish etc wont cut it.

You don't need to overstock so 8-10 goldfish per 200 Gallon (1000 Litres) will be fine and have heaps of room.
You can add some aquatic plants if that makes things better.

When you set you system up - keep the low stocking in mind/plan - use something like dutch buckets (search dutch buckets) that allow you some options to add blood and bone (hubby probably doesn't like that ?) and seaweed based liquid fertilisers.

If it gets real hard, then search wicking beds and maybe go down that path.

better still - its a community garden - tell hubby to get out and dig you a big hole 1000 Gallons or so, that should solve any issues

From what I've seen, most fish like to get up close and personal...that's why they hang out in schools, the tighter the bunch, the better and the safer they feel.
Go with fish!

That would be a bit crustaceanist surely?