Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello from Greenville, South Carolina.
My wife and myself currently have a fish pond in our back yard. It consists of 2 ponds connected by a creek. We designed, created, and maintain it by ourselves. It consists of approximately 16000 gallons. It includes 40-50 KOI and goldfish.

See attached for photo's

We would like to raise tilapia in a container outside the upper pond. We currently have the container built: it is 4X2 and 3 feet deep. The upper pond has a small mouth where it goes into the tilapia container. This container in return, drains into a side bog, and then back into the lower pond; where the pump resides, and the water is recycled to the upper pond.

We would like to raise tilapia in this container, but we are not sure about the logistics. Specifically concerned with the fish waste and water content (ammonia and nitrates) going back into the pond.

We would like to hear from any of you if you have done something like this.

Thank you.

Welcome to the forum Fastball

The top two threads here - http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 will show you how to attach photos. Hopefully one of these will get you going.

The waste going back to the fish pond will depend on how many fish you intend to grow and the size and efficiency of your bog. Temperature will affect the bog filter. I also have some concerns regarding the Tilapia and water temps - can you maintain the temp needed for the type of tilapia you intend to grow?

Thank you for the information.
We will check out your links.

My initial research tells me that the tilapia yearlings would be put into the container in the spring and then harvested in the fall. With the consistent water flow, the temperature would range from 50 to 75 degrees. The waste is a major concern, because I do not want to mess up the PH and water chemistry of my ponds. I would need to manage the waste somehow, before it goes back to the pond

I not sure what kind of tilapia you are planning. But I am very close to you and my tilapia die at about 55 and stop eating 60 degrees. 70-75 degrees they eat fine but they like 79-82 better and grow the fastest at these temps.
How many tilapia do you plan to raise?
These guys. They have a fish truck and deliver to different locations. One location is Simpsonville SC. They have tilapia in the spring. They are a good price and all the fish I got from them last year made it alive.

http://www.southlandfisheries.com/index.html