Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello From Las Vegas, NV. I am so excited to start this adventure of auqaponics. I already have 11 chickens on my 1/2 acre farm, and want to expand into this new world. I love the idea of growing fresh vegetables for my family, as well as getting some fish to harvest too. We want to be self sufficient as much as we can, and are doing what we know, and learning a lot of information on the way. I've seen many videos of aquaponics, and decided that this is for us. I've started to acquire many of the necessary items to build my set up. and came here for advise and support.
So far I have 4 half barrels mounted on a table:

I also have a 250 gallon water tote I am planning on using as my fish tank, as well as a huge Dayton water pump. ( it might be too big). I have a few extra 55 gallon barrels to use as holding tanks or maybe extra grow beds down the road.

Is there anyone from my region (vegas) or someone near by that can tell me what will grow well in our climate? also, what fish do well in the vegas heat and cold? Thank you all for the advice to come. I know I will learn a lot from all of you.

Welcome to BYAP

I'm deciding on how to set up my Aquaponic system. I've seen videos of bell valves and also of flushing reservoir types of systems. Does one have an advantage over on another? I want to raise Tilapia, and duck weed, as well as many vegetables and herbs. here is an idea for a set up. I'm completely open to ideas and changes.

Please give me your input.

Should I do gravel or floating beds, flood or flush? What kind of fish can I raise?

I'm thinking of a chop system with bell drains.

No replies? Hmmmmmmm

Sorry for the lack of replies. Sometimes posts get missed. I would use gravel. It is just easier, as it acts as the biofilter. As far as flood and drain vs constant flood, I like to use Affnan siphons, as they will give you the option to do either. Use the bell, and it flood and drains, pull the bell, it becomes constant flood. Constant flood cycles easier, but I like to use the siphons for most of my beds. You may need supplemental heating in the winter for tilapia. I was surprised at how cold Vegas gets in the winter, as my first Vegas experience was visiting my grandmother there when I was nine during a heat wave. It was 120f the whole time. She since moved back to New York because she felt that "Vegas was getting too family oriented."

Thank you ronmaggi. That is some great advice. I really appreciate the response.

Are we allowed to have tilapia in Las Vegas?

http://www.tilapiafarmingathome.com/pag ... ssues.aspx

ctrl+f, "nevada"

Looks like you need to have a special license to have tilapia in NV. Apparently, however, they're in all the lakes....

Hey All!

I'm a new member to the Aquaponics community also in Las Vegas and have similar questions. I'm building a CHOP2 style system with a slight modification where I will use 2 pumps vs 1. I currently have my tank and 2 grow beds up and will have a total of 4 with a 100 gallon sump tank in the ground. Hoping to add the lava rock this weekend, but in searching recent info, Tilapia are on the NO-NO list for Nevada... I tried calling the NDOW and haven't heard back.

What is the deal with Tilapia (From a Nevadan's perspective) and how can we get them legally? If not, what type of edible fish are you doing in your system?

Thanks!
Steve C
Las Vegas, NV

[quote="MedicMoe"]Hello From Las Vegas, NV. I am so excited to start this adventure of auqaponics."


Did you find any answers? I also want to start an aquaponic system in my backyard, nothing for sale. Did you find out what fish you can grow here in LV?

Hello ,

I am ali, From Dubai .