Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

I'm in the process of building an aquaponic system. I can either build one "large" system, with 1 cube tank for fish, and 2 cubes grow beds and sump OR I can build several Barrelponic systems.

I understand that overall cost of several small systems may be more, however it *should* allow more control.
What are the other drawbacks?

Will tank size (1 cube vs barrel) will influence the size of the fish (Tilapia)?

Thanks
Rob

Go Big.

When I get the opportunity to build another large system, it will be big tanks, and long lined growbeds. Simpler, less to go wrong and cheaper.

I've found that people that say size doesnt matter, generally are not alowed to get anything bigger!

I would have to agree with OBO

If you want barrels later, Just hook em on!


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I've find that people that say size doesn't matter have very small systems.

OK, cool, so size matters! But how does it affect the growth of fish? Will Tilapia in a barrel grow to the same size as Talapia in a cubic meter of water? Is the growth rate affected by smaller tank?

Thanks
Rob

Not sure for tilapia, but our native fish grow much better in a bigger tank - much like goldfish.

I am willing to bet that tilapia in an IBC will grow better than ones in a barrel.

Also can allow for the littlies to avoid "becoming lunch" to some extent.

Cool thanks. I guess I should do some more reading to find out for sure about Tilapia. Maybe I'll just get started with 1 barrelponic system and see where it takes me.

Thanks
rob

Larger systems have more stable temperature, and chemistry. They also allow for more growth room. Having a small system for quarantine, and/or hospital reasons for your fish may be beneficial too.
Bigger is better - unless you have sick fish.

+1 greenedo

bigger system - more water volume = more stable , same as an aquarium less likely to crash , harder for algae to take over , fish can grow bigger etc..

and also , it IS a competition , he who has the biggest system wins heheh

Great, thanks for the response. cheers.

+1 for building a single barrel ponics system to get you started (it's a good learning type system with a darn good set of instructions available.) Once you get that system started cycling, and you are learning, you can keep doing research and reading to help you figure out what your bigger system will be.

I've found that the barrel system type barrel fish tank is really difficult to see your fish in. I've lost a couple tilapia due to aggression between them in the barrel system. They do better in larger numbers in a bigger tank where a single fish is less likely to get picked on all the time.

A larger tank will hold temperature better too.