Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I'm near West Palm Beach. We do get the occasional frost in the winter, so I'll have to be careful of that. I'm using a 275 gallon ibc for the fish tank and another for the sump. I was thinking of burying the sump at least half way and I'll be keeping it covered, as well. Thanks for the advice!

I need a supplier of tilapia in Near Brandon, fl (Tampa suburb)

If you search tilapia on Craigslist there is an ad in most areas (including Tampa I looked) that sells them and claims free delivery to most areas in Florida. $60 per 100 for small blue tilapia, blue gills and channel catfish. HTH.

Bobby
http://hotrockacreshomestead.wordpress.com

I'm just now building my system in High Springs, FL and wondering how to get tilapia. Based on reading my IBC would only hold 10-20 of them but folks seem to only want to sell them 100 at a time...

I thought those ads read $1 each or the $60 for 100 fish

http://hotrockacreshomestead.wordpress.com

Just saw an ad last night in Parrish for min 20 order 3-5 inches. In the sarasota.craigslist.org section.

http://hotrockacreshomestead.wordpress.com

New to this stuff in south Florida and have lots of questions....who is having success in the south?

I just started a small learning system in East Orlando. Using three 14 gal grow beds (pea gravel, growstone, and clay pebbles just to test the different media) using Bell Siphon, 30 gal sump, and 55 gal fish tank w/ swirl filter. Using some pan fish I caught out of a local lake. I experimented with them when I was learning how to keep fish in an aquarium. They are extremely resilient. Extreme temp flux, high ammonia/nitrite/nitrate, shifts in pH, etc. I'm using a CHIFT PIST system. Spent a lot more money than I originally wanted to but I can't say that I didn't have fun while doing it. Just pissed that the build is done. I like building things.

Just got my first Nitrite readings this morning. Nitrate to follow soon, if this future cold spell doesn't delay it. Added insulation to my fish tank and enclosed the sump with Styrofoam insulation. Then wrapped the whole system in burlap (3'x25' roll on sale from lowes for $3). Cleans up the look a little and adds some extra insulation.

Threw some seeds in the beds and the arugula just started to sprout. Got some other greens in there but I'll find out what grows. Plan on uploading some images soon.

Here is a basic planting calendar for central Florida. Using AP you probably can extend the growing season a few weeks on either side than what is noted.
(Add a few weeks earlier or later depending if you are south or north respectively.)



- John

Hey guys, wanted to chime in here as well! I am looking to get started here really soon. I have a builder drafting up a design for me. Check him out, his site is www.otisontop.com. I do not have a green thumb so hoping his assitance can help me get this thing up and running! Anyways, I am in the Tampa area and looking forward to getting started.

Question, in reference to the chart that was posted above me. Is this pretty accurate? I was hoping to grow Kale and Spinach in my garden but the chart doesn't recommend it for the summer months. Is it because of our awesome summer heat?

I'm in your area, just across the bridge in Clearwater.

There are some varieties of heat tolerant spinach. I grew a ton of one last year. It's called "New Zealand" and is available from seed companies. Baker Creek is the seed supplier I use. I'm not a kale grower, so couldn't tell you there. Oh and, if you are looking for heat tolerant lettuce, try "Little Gem".

A quick look at the chart looks about right to me, if it's meaning that the peppers and tomatoes, eggplant, etc are started indoors at that time. I certainly expect it's not suggesting putting them in the ground in January... I'd also be a bit concerned about putting cukes, melons and squash in before we hit march (at least late february), and those are just not great to start too early inside, if they get root bound, it affects their production the whole season (well, for sure in dirt gardening, may be different in aquaponics).

Maybe a slight bit further south that wouldn't be an issue, but I've been here long enough to have made that mistake a few times when it looked like only balmy days were ahead and then a harsh cold snap came down. Only once did I plant cold sensitive plants in January and get away with it. I'm more cautious now.

Weather is not so predictable around here, so I'm sure we'll have people with differing opinions on it. But our growing season is long enough that I feel better about the cautious route.

Thanks for the advice Trivial. Are you strictly dirt gardening or aquaponics as well?

I have tried dirt gardening only two times and failed miserably both times. I hope I have better luck with aqauponics gardening.

I've been dirt gardening all my life, mostly in Tennessee, and for the last 8 years in Fl. This will be my first year for aquaponics (which is why I leave those questions to those more experienced than I).

The biggest thing I've had issues with here in Florida are pests. I got a pretty good cycle going last year, treating early, using preventative measure for cucumber beetles and caterpillars, and kept aphids under control with lacewings and ladybugs. I'm hoping for a successful year in aquaponics this year, lol.

The chart I posted is accurate (created by consensus of several organic growers who are part of the Simple Living Institute) for a majority of varieties planted in a soil based garden. In AP, plants are better able to handle stress caused by heat, humidity or the cold. It stays warmer and/or cooler a because of the water. And plants that are less stressed generally don't attract as many pests.

Plants planted outside of their growing season in the soil generally don't grow as well as compared when they are grown in season.



- John

Thanks for the insight John.

Can anyone give insight into where I can find clay pebble medium in Florida? How much medium will I need to fil 4 halved 55 gallon drums?

Also, does anyone know where I can find pond liner?