Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello folks, I'm new around here and trying to get my own AP set up and running. That's a great system Helo, something I look forward to one day. I'm in Lufkin (Deep East Texas), the city over to the right of yeh, and I'm wondering where you got your tilapia?

My system is nigh ready to launch, so I'm looking for some fish now

Helomech,

If your tilapia don't survive the the winter, do you plan to raise them again or perhaps switch to catfish?

I've raised catfish, and they do winter well, but I've been thinking of trying Mozies. Just not sure the growout would be satisfactory for a short growing season.

Your opinion would be appreciated,
Mike

Hello WhiteSkyRising, I spent many summers in Lufkin with my grandparents... fond memories.

I got mine from a lady that delivers bait to the local bait shops. I a not even sure of the name of her business. I am sure someone local to you could get some. Just ask the bait shops.

I go up to Lufkin every now and then.

My plan for now is to raise bass in the big tank, and add tilapia to the system each summer. I am growing tilapia in my house and they are spawning and doing great. Hoping to have 500 or more babies to put in tanks for the summer. I do not plan on doing catfish, because I can not get them to breed in a tank, and that would mean I would have to buy new ones each year. I can get all the free bass I want from my pond, and have the tilapia having babies inside the house.

Never thought of mixing them with bass.

My catfish do not breed in my aquaponics tank, but they have started breeding in my small pond. When I feed them lately I,ve seen lots of catfish fingerlings. I may just get a seine and use them to restock my new and improved aquaponics system.

Looking forward to your updates.

No, not going to mix them with bass. The bass would eat them. I have a smaller tank attached to my system and will put the bass in it during the summer. Then add the tilapia to the big tank.

Actually mixing the tilapia with the bass is not such a bad idea. They breed like rabbits, and as the water cools they become easy food for the bass. They keep the algae down too. If the end product you are looking for is tilapia, then keep them separate. If the end product is bass, keep them together. If the end product is both, perhaps put one of the tilapia in the bass tank to be fodder when you find yourself overrun with tilapia fry. They are quick little buggers and old probably survive in good number until fall again.

Yes tilapia fry make a great food for bass and will keep them in check for sure.

Sat down and read from Pg1 today. Thanks Any updated Pictures?

Haha, I just came back from Tokyo, Seoul, and California (where I lived for 23 years), so Lufkin is... something else.

Thanks a bunch, good tip. I'll definitely ask around.

Nothing new right now. Waiting on spring to get started again. But all is going well other than the wall falling in. Plants are doing great, bass are doing great, and a few tilapia are hanging in in my outside system. Still getting tomatoes, brussel sprouts are getting close to eating size. Planted a bunch of strawberries.

Wow, been around a bit. We went up to the skating rink in Lufkin this weekend, and ate at a Chinese buffet for my sons birthday party. I skated for the first time in over 25 years. I am so sore.

Cool, sore hips for falling over a lot ?

No, only fell once and that was so I would not run over a little girl that fell in front of me.

We are expecting 70-80 mph/112-128kmh winds today. I have a feeling my greenhouse is not going to make it.