Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Last year was the first year we did an aquaponic system. the fish did great, but because of the weather we had to bring them inside. this year we are re-designing our system to hopefully keep them outside year round. we were not really happy with the vegetation that grew and are making our grow beds different too, but is there anything that anyone would suggest that we add to our tank to help the veggies grow better? and how do you control the algae without adding a lot of chemicals?

we started with 50 minnow size tilapia last year and ended up with 50 ranging from 4 oz to 1/2 lb. at the end of summer with a ton of babes and 7-10 minnow size. Winter was hard and we lost several to failed experiments! but on the up side we made it!! and have about 25-30 to restart this summer.

Best way to control algae is to control the water level and available light.

Hope this helps.

I'm sure that winter is too cold for tilapia outside in Tulsa. Any chance of a greenhouse?

+1 to Gene suggestion

If the temp in your grow beds gets anywhere near freezing it could wipe out the bacteria you've worked so hard to cultivate.

It takes a while like 3 to 6 mo for a newly cycled system to start being really productive for plants so you may be starting over a lot if the system does not have some protection.

We are starting by going down, digging out a pool and then putting a greenhouse like top and solar heating system on it to start with and see how it goes!! Thank you for the ideas and I didn't really think about the system having to be there that long (3-6months) before it becomes really productive I think this year we are just going to concentrate on the fish. maybe at the end of summer we can add a grow bed. Our tank will be 4 ft deep and below the freeze line. It is a super big tank! should I put bacteria in it to begin with? I didn't last year. and what bacteria does anyone recommend that i can get in tulsa, ok?