Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well I finally got my Tilapia permit in the mail. Only problem is the issue date says 7/7/08 and the expiration date is 6/30/08. They obviously meant 09 on the expiration date but it isn’t that way on the permit. I don't think they meant to issue me an expired permit. I’m going to call them and get it straight but I still got it done, and without the $25K bond!
I have to clean out my pump suction filter every other day because of the game fish food. The fish eat it but spit up crumbs that settles to the bottom and gets sucked up by the pump. The only reason I keep using it is because I bought a 50# sack of it and it will take a while to get rid of it. The system stays so much cleaner with worms or BSF larva. I just don’t produce enough of them and I don’t want to waste the high protein fish food.

You still there after Gustav?

You still there after Gustav?

Thinking the same thing DT.... maybe the powers still out?....

I'm still here and kicking. I'm planning my new systems, One inside my old greenhouse hopfully before the winter sets in and another in a hoop greenhouse. My grid power is still out but hope to have it within a few days, I've been cleaning up and trying to eat down the upright freezer 1 shelf at a time but I think I'm loosing that battle as well as I will probably have to start flipping meat and venison soon. I've been running my generator at night to let the freezers catchup as well as the window units to sleep a little more comfortably. Thanks for inquiring about me!

Yea, Grid power is back!!! Central air. Fresh washed clothes, can't say good eating cause I've been eating high on the hog!!! The next shelf down is Fish: catfish, shrimp, crawfish tails, some store bought tilapia (I know, but thats what I got ) I need to sort thru it before it all refreezes. The bottom two shelves are still rock solid. I need to check the top of the chest freezer. I'm going to move the barrelponics system so I can replace the fence. And also empty out the greenhouse to make room for the system. Any Ideas for the little greenhouse system are welcome!!!

Well I haven't done anything with my systems as of yet and I'm not sure when I will have some time to devote to it. But I have been feeding my BSF compost bin and Something scared the crap out of me when I went to add to it... A RAT. I didn't think the larva was eating that fast in the cold weather we've been having. That sucker appears to have ate all the fresh materials as well as all the larva. It dug nice little patted out holes in the compost and dug out the larva. I guess I'm going to have to put a trap in here and let the larva eat him! It surprises me that there are any around my place as my neighbor has about 50 cats crawling all over the place having kittens in my boats my sheds and they done figured out that I won't hurt them. I can stomp, clap, hollar and they just look at me. My little dog is scared of them. She barks at them as long as she feels safe.

I like the trap for dinner idea

Mouse traps weren't big enough, they got poped a couple of times and it hasn't been back. I got my tilapia permit renewal in the mail apoligizing for not getting it to me sooner and letting it lapse, (remember the issue date was after the exparation date!) I think the guy may have been really trying to help me out! The letter talks about how difficult it is to renew after it is lapsed, as possible inspections etc. Sending my renewal form and $50 right away! I will have some Tilapia and channel cats this spring!

I glad I dont have to have permits here ) I do think its great that you could get one though!

Judging from the permit number I would think I am only the 83rd person in the state to ever get one!

Well I put my barrel ponics system back togather last weekend and added a sump tank to it. I filled it with water and started circulating. I put chloramine/chlorine remover in it. I added mostly rainwater but about half is tap water. I added 40 oz of hummonia to it to start it up. Its been circulating for a week and I tested the water today. Clearly not ready for fish.
PH:7.6
Ammonia>8ppm(max scale but looks to be close)
nitrite>40ppm but <80ppm
nitrate 5ppm
There is more ammonia in hummonia than I realized.
I have an aquarium full of goldies when its ready.
I planted a few seedlings into the growbeds to hopfully start pulling out the nitrates as they come available.

Bill, I love the way the BSP larva harvester dumps the larva right into the fish tank!
I also liked the way you cut a small opening in the side of the barrel for a fish tank and laid it on its side. I wish I had more time to read this forum...

I figured I'd post a pic of the barrel ponics system cycling on mostly humonia and a few goldies. Humonia is good stuff!

I also came across some free IBC's and I hope to get some more in a few weeks!