Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I was too scared to post a "my new system"... This is my first time joining a large forum and I didn't want to let anyone down, so I just found a couple threads applicable to me. I guess we are in different climates though and obviously have different fish options too. I am in Oregon, USA. I just think I get better info from this forum than like DIY ap etc. It would be nice if catfish bred more than once a year, because it would make experimenting a lot more fun... I don't like waiting. My tank is insulated and inside a greenhouse. I was concerned with water getting too warm but no one seems to have that problem, is that just because the constant F&D cools the water? In order for my "cold water" catfish to breed, they have to know it's late spring with 75 degree water temps. But...haha scotty I just noticed you are in Oregon too! So never mind, you know exactly what I got for climate over here

Lots of people start this way and it's ok.

Just the fact that your tank is in the greenhouse will make a huge difference. Mine isn't so my system temps will be cooler than your's (probably at least 10 degrees different). Lots of people bury their tanks to keep the temp cooler or put the tank in the shade.

The water can get to warm depending on the fish you're trying to grow. The growbeds are basically heat exchangers, Constant Flood might run a bit cooler than F&D based on what I've read here on the forum. Bullhead are pretty durable so I doubt you'll have problems.

I just got a new idea to add crappie to the sump tank, the fluctuating water will keep them from spawning and that will give me sufficient fish in my tanks until my bullheads start breeding Plus I think that once I get better at understanding the stocking numbers, I could combine the breeds if need be. Does this sound right? Good news BTW, my well water was good and my tanks are full, so the ODFW gal comes to approve my system for the fish tmrw. The growbeds are giving me some trouble though so I may be running a makeshift biofilter to keep my fishies happy until my plumbing decides to cooperate!

Go for carp. They are great!

Carp are too bony for my liking, we have great big carp around here and they are beautiful fish, especially when they are over 2 ft, but they sure are bony! Are yours bony? maybe there are less bony varieties?

Sorry, I don't actually eat carp. I just keep them in my AP.
I fish regularly, and knock a trout on the head, every so often.

Carp need to be skinned. There is a bacteria between the skin and the flesh. It is removed when the skin is removed. This bacteria is what gives carp a muddy taste.

Want to cook one? Check this out -
http://www.abc.net.au/tv/cookandchef/txt/s1657517.htm

I just wanted to check in and say that my new fish are doin great! As far as I know there haven't been any fish kills but I designed my tank to not be able to see many fish unless they are floaters... My crappie are adorable! I get about 10 that practically eat outta my hand in the morning and I drop a couple larger night crawlers in at night for the cats. I ended up with way more crappie than I had planned because that is what my local fish guy had more readily available than cats. I had heard they were picky eaters, but even getting them as fingerlings they enjoy the red wigglers and pot worms I grow just fine. I need some algae eaters though for my CF lettuce bed, thinking about getting hillstream loaches, any one have those?

DunderOz, that is the biggest damned goldfish I've ever seen. My wife would love that swimming around in my pond lol.

I thought it was illegal to keep Carp anywhere in Australia...

Not in the aquarium world!!

Glad you started this thread. I'm a Mainuh (from Maine) and faced with similar climate issues up here.

I currently have a 10 gal prototype going right now...7 goldfish feeding a 10 gal ebb and flow grow bed. I'm having to do some remodeling of a room in my basement to launch the next phase (225 gal aquarium, ebb and flow grow bed filtering for a DWC raft). I have the aquariums (3 x 75 gal) already.

As I plan out for the next phase, I've been researching the cold water options...to be honest, my basement may be warm enough to pull off the tilapia (I just can't remember the temps in the basement).

So this thread has been helpful for me, hearing some of the info being tossed out has been good.

Thanks

Nope. Koi are still legal in a couple of states. Western Aust is one of them.

Koi, while a type of carp aren't the type I remember eating when younger.

I wouldn't mind keeping carp in my IBC system.

Koi are carp (Cyprinus carpio) - exactly the same species.

hmm so they are. Legal to own in WA and NSW. I'm moving to Canberra in a month. bugger. I'll have to keep SP then