Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A correction to my daily ammonia production. I used the figures from the DIY bio filter pdf. It said 1 kg of feeding was going to produce 37 grams of ammonia. However, in the SRAC pdf, tank culture of Tilapia, they say the average ammonia produced by 100 fish was 10 grams per day. So if SRAC is correct then I "way" over estimated the amount of ammonia!

You can never have too much filter capacity.

I agree Janet! I think I am going to use a smaller FSB filter and use a 50 gallon drum with clear easter grass (aka bio-bale) as a pre filter.

Also, I am going to use 1 300 Gallon rubbermade with 3 partitions, one 150 gallon with 3 partitions and one 100 gallon divided up into 7 area. These will be my grow out tanks with a place for females when resting.

The question I have now is what size should the holes in the partitions be to allow water through, but not fish? How big around are tilapia at each stage of growth from 1 to 12 months?

very tiny as young fry. maybe 2-3 mm heads at 1 week of age?

I used 1/2" difuser as a divider in my tanks, and the fry were swimming through it for at least 2-3 months. However, they quickly figured out that the big fish couldn't get them if they stayed on their size.

Ok, I have a 100 gallon rubbermade stock tank that will house the first 6 months/batches of fry. I am going to have a hapa net made for each section.

Each section of the 6 netts will hold 30 to 60 fingerlings ranging in age from first to sixth month. These are tilipia.

The question that I need help with is how big should each net area be?

The size of the tank is 52" x 31" x 25" - 25" being the depth.

Is there some recommended number liters/gallons of water to grams of fish or inches of fish? There will be a lot more water in the system, so I just want to allow enough room for them to get by in.

As long as you can meet or exceed Tilapias' basic physical and biological requirements arent they very tolerant of being packed together?
I've seen size requirements (actual dimension minimums) on very few fish except for very large tropicals and saltwater species.

I know my large silver arrowana required the 100 gallon I have because it was over 2'(500mm)long I just didnt know I needed a top that weighed more than twice its body weight to keep it in.

I have decided on the following:

1ea 100 gallon tank with 2,5,10, & 83 gallon dividers/nets the 83 being for the female brood stock
1 300 gallon tanks with 30,40,50,50,60, & 70 gallon paritions
1 300 gallon tank with 80,100, 120 gallon partitions for last three months

1ea 50 gallon breeding tank
1ea 50 gallon drum for keeping the male brood stock.

There will be a 400 gallon sump as well.