Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all, I am hoping to raise trout in a pond or above ground pool system in northern Spain in the future. My partner and I plan to spend roughly 9 months of the year in Spain from Sept to June, spending the months of June, July and August in the UK.

Average monthly temps in this region range from around 17.5 C in Sept down to around 8 C in Feb, and back up to around 15 at the end of May.

So pretty decent temps for trout, especially if I can do a few tricks during the warmer and sunnier spells in winter to boost the temps a bit.

Just wondering how this compares to what you guys do over in Australia?...

Are these similar temps to those that you guys have?

Do you guys raise trout over a similar time period?

What size fingerlings do you get?

What kind of size could I hope to get mine to?

Here in Perth, our Trout season runs from around early-mid May, with starting water temps in the high teens, or even very low 20's (the Rainbow Trout bred here in WA have adapted over the 80 or so years to suit water temps up to 24ºC, even 25ºC with good aeration) and it usually runs through to some time in October, early November at a stretch.

So we usually get around a 6 month season, with water temps in the middle of winter usually getting down around 8º-13ºC for most backyard sized systems, depending on set-up, location, seasonal differences etc.

The fingerlings are generally around 5-6" inches and with regular feeding (ie: 2-3 x per day) with a good quality feed, most people achieve fish of around 27-35cm and about 350-600gm, depending on what size fingerlings they got, the length of their season and their feed rates. The average for most people is usually around 450-500gm. I have customers occasionally achieving 700-750gm, but they are feeding a minimum of 3x per day to the point where the fish stop feeding, and are also maximising aeration.

I would imagine with your extended 8 month period, good quality feed, good water with plenty of aeration etc, that 500-750gm fish should be achievable if you started with decent sized fingerlings... and I know it doesn't sound like much, but a 600gm Trout is a fair chunk of fish.

Thanks for the detailed response Mr Damage, that’s really helpful and encouraging.

It is still very early days as we still don't own the property or adjacent land where the system will be. However, we are in the purchasing process and if all goes to plan next September may be the beginning of our first trout season.

The system design I am considering is an above ground intex pool with SLO to a pond (slightly raised above ground level), from which water is pumped up to growbeds (constant flood) and flows back into the pool.

The idea is to stock pretty lightly and to grow leafy greens throughout the winter.

The system would be fish oriented; it is a very wet climate, and soil quality is great. Periodic rainfall (collected and directed to system) should rid the system of excess nitrate (to the garden with pond sediment via SLO).

After harvesting the trout, the pool will be removed from the circuit, cleaned and used for recreational purposes. The pond will be connected to growbeds with reduced circulation to tick over during summer.

Any thoughts, ideas or questions appreciated

I wish it could be sooner, but look forward to showing how the project unfolds in time to come nonetheless!

Mr Damage not much to add.

If I could carry trout comfortably through 2 seasons I would. I have carried them uncomfortably through 2 seasons and the filleted reward was almost worth it. Comfortably I’d do it every time.
Yes a 300gm fish is table size and adequate however….
Trout are fun but require supervision.