Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi,

Am I kidding myself that I will be able to raise most of the food for say 20 adult tilapia, using duckweed and worms?

Thanks,
David

Nup, woulda thought that was definitely feasible !!

from what I see duckweed need space... they don't need a whole lot of depth, but space is a problem since one of the main component of aquaponics is space saving...

you will not be able to feed them enough duckweed unless you have space. Someone came up with the design using clear plastic and stack up the duckweed tray, but no one have really tried it yet.

Another problem with duckweed is mosquito, apparently this is a little dangerous for human... so if you go with the duckweed route, have something that can prevent this.

Then comes the issue of growth, it's been known that duckweed fed fish grow slower than pellet (but if that's what you are looking for then it's great)...

Those are the known problem with duckweed that I've read on the forum, IMO it's probably easier to feed the fish left over vegies + pellet, if you can get a cheap source of pellet. One of the member on here is able to get 44 pounds of pellet for 18 USD, but that's because he's located within the area of the product's maker, I have not been able to find anything in that price range (I actually do not have a system yet), but I would call around and see what's available in the area. Feeding them a mixture of veggies + pellet can be relatively cheap depending on the ratio.

Hi David
Very possible if you work at your idea
I say so because I have been experimenting with the idea.....

Over the last 3-4 months I have been feeding my fish bsf, worm, duckweed and pellets
duckweed....you need a lot of surface area to grow duckweed to maintain a constant amount of duckweed to feed every day....if you look at my thread you can see how much duckweed I have growing and still I am not able to feed them duckweed every day....
I started feeding very soon to find the fish eat the duckweed faster than growing the stuff.

Worms....I believed I had a lot of worms....but when you start feeding the worms to the fish.....
It opens up your eyes....you need a lot of worms

Bsf....very new to me but I am experimenting.....another good option of fish food to keep cost down

So yes I think/believe it can be done but....space

And time...

And do all those factors translate into economics...

Thanks
pellets are fairly cheap (25 USD for 50 pounds)but it would be nice to raise food myself

I feed my tilapia a lot of string alga along with the Duckweed and some vegges like lettuce and Swiss chard + pellets

the others are right, It takes a LOT of water surface area for both string alga and the Duckweed

I am thinking about rigging up some kiddie pools, and slowly flow some FT water through them to increase my string alga and Duckweed production over the summer

If mosquito's become a problem, than a few mosquito fish, or a gold fish or 2 will keep them cleaned up........

For the risk of "mosquito farming", perhaps a goldfish would come in handy in each duck weed tray... (?)