Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Setting up a 'micro' system (50L FT 25L GB) just to get myself started in AP. Was thinking I'd just use 3-4 goldfish and possibly a handful of glass shrimp (5-10). Are goldfish the right choice for fish, and 3-4 a good amount to start with? Also, heard standard goldfish flakes aren't exactly optimal for the nutrients they put into a system. What should I feed the fish?

In a small system, goldfish.. or similar aquaria fish... are probably the best choice...

Bettas breath surface air.

I have actually fed my goldfish nothing but flakes since the start and I have had great plant growth in my system.

My vote is to fathead minnows, also called rosy reds at the fish store.

Available at most bate shops, $2 for a dozen, and they'll put up with a huge variety of temps and water conditions.

1/3rd of them WILL die off just from they way they're bred and shipped, but still cheap and productive!

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Live%20Food,%20Fathead%20Minnows.htm

Oscars and pakus will eat table scraps.

What will be the temperature range?

Not all the time. They can, and actually need to some of the time, but they also have functioning gills that they use the rest of the time.

I use comet goldfish. They put up with a lot of bad conditions. Only way I killed them off was by not having a way to stabilize water temp swings. They ate fine in 90+ degree water and 60 degree water. They just don't deal with water going from 70 to 90 in a short period of time.

Dident know that. You learn something new every day.

So how do they survive in the pet stores in those tiny cups?

Small aquarium aquaponics systems can be very cool. You can really use any fish you like in these... What type of aquarium would you like to keep??

For example, maybe you want a community tank with some zebra danios, guppies, tetras, plecos ect.

OR

Maybe some Cichlids! My personal favorite... Like someone mentioned an Oscar could do well (probably the only fish you would have as they can be large and are very aggressive).

OR

Like others expressed, a tank with goldfish... if you are not the most advanced aquarist they may be your best bet. As they are a very hardy species. They can tolerate terrible water quality, so they can handle high amounts of ammonia, colder temperatures (actually they prefer cooler waters, so no heaters necessary)... Basically these fish can tolerate lots of stress in there environment.

I have done aquaponics in 20 gallon aquariums with over 30 African Cichlids that were of 1 - 1.5" in length. I currently have one with just a single KOI fish of 3-4" in length that is doing fine. Just keep in mind, when it comes to aquariums the biggest thing you must remember is water changes. Especially if your keeping as many fish as I have in an aquarium. Its really just all about performing water changes and making sure your ammonia, nitrite, nitrates are all at a reasonable level. Now, I am not recommending using that tightly stocked of a tank. IF you try assume the worst will happen...

Mat's probably sorted this already but for anyone else trying to sort out the fish selection, temperature is going to be critical to making your choice.