Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey guys, lots of great info on this site. I'm hoping to get started with a simple setup in my basement then expand to an outdoor unheated greenhouse aquaponics setup. My initial problem is where to find fish and what type. I would love to raise Tilapia since they seem to grow so fast, but i'm wondering if it wouldn't be easier to find a species that could overwinter outside, any suggestions? Either way is anyone near me that would be interested in selling me some starter fish?

Welcome Burky!

I am West of Gettysburg. Janet Hesselberth is nearer in West Grove, but she's not so active anymore due to starting an Ecovillage. We shared a shipment of tilapia from Florida in 2007. I grew them in my basement over the Winter. Don't have them anymore, although some might be at the high school now. I am growing rainbow trout from a hatchery near Newville, there are a lot of trout hatcheries in PA. I also have gotten bluegill and minnows and catfish from a pond stocking place in West Virginia so any pond stocking place is an option too. Gold fish and koi are great to start with, you have That Fish Place so you're set that way! Also I'm using Zeigler fish food so we're pretty lucky here.

welcome aboard burkey,,, i lived near reading for a while, the wife and i used to go the the chameleon club quite often!
i have a system in my basement in northeast ohio, water is pretty much at 68 or so most of the time.. tilapia would need heat - you might be able to get a season with them outside
take lots of pics!

No clue on your situations up yonder, but welcome from down yonder

I looked once and it seemed that we are a similar latitude to Melbourne, although their climate may be more like Northern California's maybe?