Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hey guys, was looking into advice on the best way to keep my greenhouse going this winter. I live in Missouri, and temps have been fine so far but are sometimes below freezing at night.

System: 2 (250 gal) ibcs, 1 fish tank and 1 sump tank, 1 radial flow filter (30 gal), and currently hooked up 6 half barrel beds that drain on an external bell siphon.

Fish: 15 Channel Cat, 15 Perch

Greenhouse: 11'x18x8' tall, with wooden floor.


I am not looking to grow a lot this winter, but would like to keep my strawberry plants alive, and have some lettuce/kale growing as well. Might switch over to Talapia this spring once it warms up.

So a few questions.
I have heard it will break my clay if it freezes, can anybody confirm?
Will the red worms that live in my beds die (or have they already)?
Would i be better off just shutting things down and cycling again in the spring (was trying to avoid this)

Thanks,
dave

Oh, and almost forgot, The main question I have is am I better off ($) to heat the water or the air?

I wouldn't worry about the worms, they'll handle themselves just fine.

With heating, the air is a better option to heat rather than the water. The growbeds act like massive radiators, and will take in, or out any heat or cooling. If you heat just the water, you'll spend a fortune heating the air around the growbeds.

^ especially in a flood and drain bed system.