Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I've been lurking on here for a bit trying to glean as much info as I can, but I figured I'd say hello! I've had a few small outdoor hyroponics systems (5 gallon bucket rigs) mainly for tomatoes and peppers and an aerogarden I've used for basil, etc. but I'm hoping to move toward an aquaponics setup soon.

I have a fairly unused area in my basement I'd like to set up for aquaponics although I will need to sort out what fish I want to use. I was originally drawn toward tilapia, but the basement stays too cold for them (and PA requires a permit for tilapia which seems a bit goofy - there's no way they'd survive winter here to worry about them taking over any local waterways if someone set any loose!)

I am moving to a new place in a few weeks and I am planning on moving my set up to the basement. I live in Michigan so I'm sure our winters are on par with each other. Depending on the tank size you should be able to find some sort of aquarium heater.

The permit does seem a bit odd. But you could start with some feeder fish to get the balance right. (I am still working on that part!)

welcome. I live in West Virginia and I never realized there would be any restrictions as to what fish you can use. Where did you find out about that?

Just searching "tilapia [state]" tends to bring back a number of sites such as https://lakewaytilapia.com/Tilapia_Lega ... _State.php PA states you need a license to breed or deal tilapia (but I guess not to possess? Don't let them breed though! heh)

Actually... West Virginia seems more sweeping with requiring a license to "raise tilapia" (at least according to the site above.)

I was thinking it's rather silly since the fish couldn't survive in any of the local waterways, but I did find the following article http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/outd ... 0608130176 that mentions "almost 20 years ago, tilapia caused a mild panic on the Susquehanna River when escapees from a fish farm at Brunner Island near Harrisburg found refuge in the warm water discharge of a power plant." and they ended up having to shut down the discharge until the temperature dropped enough to kill them off. I wonder if this event had any input in the current law. It'd be very rare for a condition like this to occur.

No it's a blanket law put out to address all nuisance species. Then each state adapts it to their own needs. Chances are no one in your state has addressed the Tilapia clause so it remains as originaly defined.