Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I want to build an AP system. Wanting to know if Tilapia, catfish or bluegill will
need the water cooled in the summer. I read somewhere that Tilapia are ok in 94 degree water.
That sounded kind of hot to me, but I don't know much about Tilapia.
I think I read that I'd have to get a license for Tilapia too. Is that a big ordeal in FL ?

Thanks.

They can handle the heat, just shade them if it gets too hot. More the issue with the plant growth with 90 plus degree water. More of a concern is the cold in the Winter. They need 70 degree water to stay eating good. Check out link for tilapia. Blues are OK. http://myfwc.com/license/aquaculture-ce ... quaponics/

I see your point about the water temp for the plants. I was so concerned about the fish, I forgot about the plant water temperature. I'm wondering if it's commonplace in Florida then to bury one's fish tank to keep it cooler in the summer and warmer in winter? I saw some forum notes about insulating them.

I followed the link about licensing. It looks like the state of Florida contradicts itself. Or, I'm just not reading the jargon correctly. Below, it clearly says that for personal use, one cannot use conditional aquatic species. But we find the Blue Tilapia on the conditional species list.

For personal use only (no sales of aquatic animals)

No permit needed if aquatic species are produced for personal use only (not sold)
and acquired in Florida
Resident Fish Dealer's license if purchasing fish from sellers outside Florida
Conditional aquatic species cannot be used
Conditional species permits are not issued for personal use

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonna ... nditional/
Conditional Species List
Tilapia

Oreochromis aureus (Blue tilapia)

But then under the section
Aquatic species for aquaponics systems

Blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus)

Pure blue tilapia (not hybrids) can be used in commercial aquaponics systems, and home aquaponics in the South, Southwest and Northeast FWC regions, and in Citrus County in the North Central region.

I'm in the Northeast FWC region - Marion County, so I'm guessing this means I don't need a permit for Blue Tilapia.

Do you or anyone have suggestions for what kind of system configuration
might suite me here in central Florida? I think I would be wanting to raise Tilapia. I was wondering if those Malaysian prawns were good for eating? Or are they used mostly for keeping the tank clean? I wouldn't jump into that immediately due to the separation issues. I'm just curious.

Thanks very much for your help.

You can have blues. Prawn are a yes also. Some people put them in with the fish...just need to make a prawn condo out of pvc and nylon netting so they don't cannibalize each other when they molt and the fish don't mess with them. Ryan Chatterson has some, but I'm not sure he even knows how they're doing. Check out the IBC system configs on the forum, and you'll get some great ideas on how to set up your system. I would think insulating your ft(fish tank) would be best. My mistake was not having my top insulated, so I lost most of the heat out during the night. I put a greenhouse over the whole thing, but will take off the poly very soon.

Would that include the top? I've seen some systems that are open to the weather
and I wondered how rainfall affects the system.

The reason I ask is that I have a porch that is half beneath the roof of the house and
half screened top exposed to the weather. To test the system and see how we like it, I thought I might put the fish tank in the shade of the part that is beneath the roof and put the garden outside under
the screened part. The screened part is also a screened roof, so rain would get through and
of course sunshine. Is that doable?


Thanks.

Jeff

Yes on my GH. I think the verdict is still out on excess rain effecting growth rates. I know a lot of people use Gh's, but then again the UVI system, which is the longest running system in existence, is an open sysytem. Full sun for most veggies is appreciated, although hot climate like some shade cloth during the Summer months. I use a white 40% shade cloth that did very well last Summer. I think the fish in the shade is not as big of deal. The UVI and most commercials that I've seen(pictures) have coverings for their fish. be careful of roof-lines and run-off. You don't want shingle particles in your system. But if it's a tile roof, I think it would be OK. As you have probably figured out, the "newbie- legend" status are a result of postings, not knowledge. Hang around here, and you will learn a lot. Be patient, don't chase your PH, and be careful...and can be addicting.

Thanks CoachChris,
I'm reading daily and have a lot to learn. I think I need to start small, but
not too small. I have about a 12 x 18 area I can work with. I can see myself getting
addicted to this.


Jeff

Almost exactly my size...12 x 16. If you use the space wisely, you can feed 3 people easily. Veggies I mean, and not solely, but you will have a lot of veggies from that space. Don't want people to jump on me saying that you can't subsist on the AP system alone. I'm not a prepper, and still plan on my local grocery store being around.lol