Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

A few more pics...

Looks fantastic!

I guess the next time we come down we can have pizza,tilapia,chicken,fried eggs and who knows what all out of the new outdoor oven. Looks great .Glad to see there is still some beer left. Jerry & Pam

Come on, Pete!!

Got your PM and meant to reply... Just haven't yet!!

Yep. The oven will do a lot!! Need to learn how to run a smoker for the fish... I want to be able to preserve them w/o the freezer if we harvest a fistful at a time. They are getting big, and feed like piranhas.

CB

wow- i didn't know you had so many food pictures over here CB, I'll be tuning in a lot more often. . .

forgot to ask- are you interested in building a cold smoker or a hot smoker?

I live in Camden, SC and am going to build a system. How are you keeping the water cool enough this time of year?

Thanks.

Viper,

Sorry so slow getting back to you. Water temp has been no problem. Tilapia can handle up to 110º, but I knew we'd never crack that! My greater concern was that the temps would get over 86º and the fish would focus on something other than eating. We got into the low 80s early, then the system never really went above that.

I ran it on the hour, 24/7 and as a fallback had several ideas for cooling, but never had to implement them.

Working now on some heating ideas to add heat to the water. Probably getting ready to build a rocket stove with thermal mass heat storage near the tank that I can cycle water through. Reading and planning before launching into the project.

I'll drop you a PM to insure you get this since I've been off the forum for a week or so.

CB

I was thinking of having one tank buried and another above ground to cycle water through. The buried tank for cooling the water, and the outside tank for warming it via the sun. Having a valve to select which one cycled through the tank based on the season. Possibly overkill or not even work, but still in the planning stage.

Thanks for the reply.

Matt

My baby

Oh, and the bean seeds were seized by customs here. Bummer

Hey CB ~ I haven't heard from you in a while ! I hope all is well..
Things are about the same down here, but I'm wondering what will happen to the tilapia as the temps drop.. we might be having a fish fry soon !!!

My system is doing well... Been really busy with other stuff and have spent little time on here... I do need to post some pics of a couple changes, but overall, doing well.

I have a 'nursery tank' that is an IBC and two half barrel beds that is growing 300 new baby tilapia. It has a 100' solar heater hooked to it and I have to run it every other day right now as the tank temps can quickly hit 90º.

I have installed a 400' 1/2" black pipe in the rafters that a timed pump in the main tank runs during the day. From 9:30 am to 4 pm it continuously pumps 120º water into the main tank helping to keep tank temps up.

I have also recently acquired a small generator that runs the whole GH. Now I need a few batteries so I can run the generator intermittently with battery support in the meantimes. I figure I can run for an extended period of time with just the gen. if need be.

Inside temps in the GH are spiky during the transition from late Summer temps to true Winter temps. We typically open the doors and vents about 10 a.m. and close in the late afternoon.

Have planted broccoli, scallions, basil, beets, radishes, red and white bulb onions, and several other odd/exotic plants... Bananas and pineapples are doing well, though not mature enough for fruit yet... Have new tomato and cucumber sets on trial to see if they can survive the temp swings in the Winter and still be productive.

Been eating fish out of the main tank and have a request to sell a bunch. May do so in the very near future and move the 3-4" babies out of the nursery tank and into the main...

Recently discovered two or three good size fish in the sump. Guessing I know how they got there, but was surprised none the less. I may actually move some more into that tank as a means of keeping it clean and diversifying stock location.

That is enough of an update for now...

CB

What is your impression of the stalite? If you're happy with it please pm a contact.
thanks

Definitely like it better than the alternative blue granite gravel that is prevalent here. EASY to plant in. No Ph issues. Plants seem to love it. Only difference is availability and slightly higher cost. Wish I had done all my beds with it, but ran out and the trip to NC wasn't worth it for a little more.

Try www.stalite.com and then call them to see where in FL they distribute.

CB