Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi my name is Jim I am from northern Idaho and am just getting started with AP. This system is going in a 12x24 green house that we are building now because of the diverse weather here cold at night warm to hot in the day I am thinking about using a chest freezer for my FT and setting my GB on top to start . I will also run some 3 or 4 in drain pipe for some added GB.
I plan on trying Yellow perch and walleye or catfish . Fish food may be a problem to get here so what other alternatives are there , we own a small cafe so I was wondering about table scraps or scraps let over from prep ?
I am very excited about this prodject . I am still planning my system so any info would be great. I have been lurking around here and another site but there is sometimes way to much information and get over whelmed so I need to start with the basic .
Thanks

Welcome Jim!!

Fish will eat lots of different things but I would avoid anything greasy.

maybe use the scraps to build a worm farm to supplement feed with
walley are slow growing, it will be a few years before you can eat them..
yellow perch will grow fast if the water is cool (high 60's to low 70's) but will suffer if the water gets into the high 80's - they live through winter in iced over ponds
both perch and walleye are carnivorous, and will grow best with a good quality, high protein food will do best (so will your plants) look for "farm and tractor" type stores, or feed mills,, you can usually get pellet feed for around $35 for 50lbs

Thanks . I may have to put the FT in my pole barn that is attached to the GH to keep the temps down. Since I have not poured the floor yet I may do a thermo loop to cool the water returning to the tank.
I have given thought of a worm bed but at this point I am still trying to get the GH finished and start the AP system so I was hoping for a quick solution for fish food ie cafe waste,chicken poo or rabbit poo all three are easily to come by for now.
What are your opinions on the use of a chest freezer for the FT since it is insulated and should keep water temp stable .

Welcome Jim good to have you joining in, enjoy your system.

a thermo-loop under the floor would be great for year round temp control