Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi, I am new to aquaponics, I started after doing a Uni course about Energy which included a feature on aquaponics, however, I built a small system with 200 litre fish tank, two 100 litre grow beds using picon as the growing media. There is also two 100 litre reservoirs linked together. The system is sited outdoors and has sunshades. .

The system has been cycled, well everything points to it. The ammonia added to the system daily is remaining at a low level (initially I put ammonia in to "spike" at high level). Nitrites are steady now at low level. Nitrate is a bit high but I am adding more plants. PH is good at 7. Plant grow is quite good.

I think its time to add some fish. Unfortunately, this location does not have very many freshwater fish, there are guppy and mosquito fish easily available both "wild" and for purchase. My question that is concerning me, for which I have searched for some hours" is:

In many of the sites, it is suggested as a quide, to 5 to 10 fish per ten gallons of water, but what is the size of the fish?

Welcome to the forum. Stock to your filtration capacity, not water volume.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21861

Thanks for the welcome. I have read through so many sites over the last six months and do not recollect the mention of filtration capacity. Now I have found some, thanks.

I think I am correct in understanding that when using a grow media (this case - picon) this is the filteration. Am I correct?

I will have to change my thinking, as a guide - how many fish per 50 litres of filteration?

And my original question (slightly changed) -In many of the sites, it is suggested as a quide, to 5 to 10 FISH per (whatever measurement of the system), but what is the size of the FISH is the guide based upon?

This is a captivating subject - aquaponics.

plenty of discussion on that subject Freespirit, it seems 1 fish per 20 - 25 L of media, don't know what picon is?

picon- volcanic gravel

Welcome, Freespirit. AP is a good solution for the Canaries, I guess. Mmm, fresh mojo and papas arrugadas is on my list for the near future.

Yes, Domani, Seems to be good for Canaries but have to put out sunshades. If you are visiting let us know.

I sure will! But could get stuck on Isla Graciosa with my good friends Juan Carlos and Injaqi (no spanish keyboard here, but he is Basque anyway :-)).
What about the fresh water quality on Tenerife? I remember that on Gran Canaria it was of very dodgy quality, actually not drinkable. Where about are you on Tenerife?

Hi Domani, I have not been to Isla Graciosa, wnet to Lanszrote once.

Water quality varies, I am about 200M above sea level and the water in the main pipe is usually drinkable but has a distinct taste, I use a simple jug filter for coffee/tea. Along the south coast (sea level) there is a lot of cal. in the water. Up around 1000M its seems good, locals collect the water on days out.

For aquaponics, the water is a high PH, usually 8.5, so I have to condition all the water that goes into the system. Not a major problem but I have to keep acid available.

I have just completed constructing a second frame for two 100 litre growbeds, just paint finish to complete.

One thing that I have not been able to get an answer, in many websites, they mention adding say 5 to 10 fish but nobody says the size of the fish, any Ideas?

My Tenerife location is in land a little, about 10 minutes drive from Las Americas in the south ( towards the airport).

5 to 10 fish per 10 gallons of water = NO for me, way too much. How would you feel, locked up in a room of 1x1x1 meter?

15 to 25 fish per 1.000 liter of water should be safe, I guess. But all depends on the amount of filtering you have and surface area for the bacteria. There is a lot to read on that around here and inform yourself good before putting life stock in your tanks.

Get yourself a good water testing kit so you can keep track of what happens in your system. Eventually you will get a feel for it and only need the kit incidentally.

fish size is not important, small ones grow into big ones so you need to work on fully grown fish.

the calculations are done on feed rates.

And especially with a small system it is important not to stock to many fish as they are less stable.

10 gold fish will provide enough nutrients for your 200L of GB providing they are feed AP suitable pellets.

Hi Freespirit,
Welcome mate. I see you are already getting lots of good advice. Plenty of knowledge and experience recorded here in the forum, so do lots of search & read. Enjoy!