Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Just Introducing myself for the forum. I am a newbie with all things Aquaponics. I based my design after Murray Hallam's IBC toteponics. I have a fish tank (IBC) of approximately 250 gallons with three grow beds and one sump all insulated in a greenhouse. I started cycling my system in August and have taken a few hits along the way with fish mortality (adding fish before bio filter established) and plant death (due to the heat in August/September), but I see the light at the end of tunnel. I am hoping to learn more about Aquaponics through the experience of those on this forum. If there are any people in Texas who have a successful Aquaponics system, I would gratefully accept any tips/secrets/etc. to help me establish my new system and start to grow abundant vegetables/fruits with happy fish.

Thank you all and looking to learning everything I can about this sustainable food source!

Welcome, I live about 2 hours north of Houston, but work in Lake Jackson, and Galveston. I had many fish deaths in the beginning, but now I have 100 catfish in my tank that seem to be doing great. Knock on wood. Ask questions, someone on here will have an answer for you.

you have a 100 catfish in 1 275 gallon ibc tote?

Also Hi!! Welcome to the forum, I'm from San Antonio, Texas! So same here about 2 hours away

Great to always see another Texan join but where are all the people from San Antonio!! No one does aquaponics in San Antonio! I only get a few from Austin and Houston and Dallas and that's it! Maybe I should move haha...

No, in 800 gallons, they are still small also. Will take some out if my parameters get out of wack.

Welcome Aquaponix, looking forward to some pics of your system.

It seems like the Texan's are taking over here?

welcome from next door in Arkansas

Hi All, sorry I dropped out after posting. My computer blew up and had to wait to get the funds to get back on. I have a question maybe someone with the same problems can help me with. I have not been able to find it readily on the index. I recently had an infestation of green caterpillars that decimated my basil plants. I removed about 39 of the little suckers manually at night yet they keep coming back. I believe a moth was trapped in my greenhouse and went to town with laying eggs all over the place. Since winter has begun I could not order some carnivorous insects since they were out of season, so I went to a local nursery of which I purchased Dipel Dust which is a biological insecticide. The active ingredient being Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. I was told it was safe for the fish but I needed a second opinion. You are supposed to dust the leaves with it and when it is ingested by the caterpillar, it causes digestive problems that are fatal for them. I am a little wary of anything I add to the system because of the fish. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? Thanks in advance!!