Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Thanks for the thoughts on thermal-transfer and indoor/outdoor system.... I think I'm still a long ways from actual implementation....

I pick up the tank this weekend. It's 150 g (568 L) as opposed to the 270 g (1000 L) that I had first thought. I don't plan on having fish in it for awhile so I'll have some time for trial and error on the heating concept. At this time of year, the furnace is going pretty much none-stop so this would be the point to see if the thing is a bad mistake or not. And, it would only be supplemental to the actual heaters in the tank.

I've been curious about trying Trout. My first thought is that they'd be a lot harder than Tilapia. I've kept African Cichlid tanks for about 20 years and so feel pretty confident about Tilapia, but a little scared about trying Trout.

... by the way, I wonder how low a temperature Tilapia could be successfully raised at. I've kept African Malawi Cichlids (Yellow Labs and Orange Pseudotropheus) in an unheated tank in my basement for awhile and they are doing very well and even breeding at about 70º (21º). I know they might not grow like crazy but I'd think they'd survive just fine at the lower range of their temp range which I read is 72º (22º).

They = Tilapia

Mine have been in water that was around 70 and they're OK at that, but they're very happy at mid 80's! I think they'd get unhappy then sick then dead below 70 if it stayed there long, but I haven't tried stressing them that way.

there's a thread about cold tolerant tilapia (I haven't read it, as we can't get tilapia here) I hope it's more useful than me
http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4743

Just to help you folks on the other side of the world appreciate things..... IT'S -24º C (-12º F.) HERE IN CHICAGO!!!!!
I think that is well below the temperature range of any reasonable living creature including tilapia

I can only conclude then .. that you are unreasonable... and dead... Elginite...

He has just got himself properly lagged

Ahh lighten up! you're at your coldest atm, it can only get better from here :-) record minimum for this time of year is only -24º F. or there abouts, so count yourself lucky... We're hitting heaps of records atm. Hottest Month for a long time, driest month for even longer.
I find that given the right equipment, it's easier to stay hot than cold... of course, extreme cold will kill you faster without the right equipment
Good luck sitting it out.

This morning it was down to -29º C (-20º F), but it now is getting warmer. Should be a toasty -3º C by sunday.

the windy city ... lots of wind chill I expect

Started to shiver just thinking about it.

Bloody oath mate...
imagine that... I'd prefer not to

It's warmed up here a bit. Picked up my 150 gallon (568 L) tank this morning. Now, have to figure out how to get it out of the van and in the basement. It weighs about 170 kg. Trying to get recruits tomorrow. I think I should probably find some heavy duty suction cups for glass carrying to make the process a little better......