Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So I'm startig my new system, first time that is, and living in central virginia has left me with a curiosity into which fish to exactly start with. Sadly im afraid its a bit too warm here to use trout which was something i wanted to do but it gets a bit warm here in the summers. My plan was to stock my system with bluegill as I can go to some ponds and catch plenty of small bluegill to stock my system with and for what I've read on them and my time fishing and experience with that species is that theyre pretty hardy and can handle the summers here very well. I dont believe my setup will be big enough for catfish as I;m using a single IBC tote for a tank so around 200-225 gallons for my tank so Bluegill seems like the perfect fish to start with atleast since it will be the easier species to get ahold of. Would it be more advised to buy fingerlings from a stocking company or can I use fresh caught native bluegill for my tank without any risk of outside diseases or contamination?

One last question is if I added some pond water with the fish, not all 200 gallons but most likely somewhere in the 10 gallon region would that help the fish acclimate?

Six of one, half dozen of the other - There's a chance of disease either way (a lot depends on the grower) and while pond water may help speed along the biofilter cycling, the organisms are everywhere in the environment so you don't need to (plus you may introduce some diseases you wouldn't otherwise have to deal with). I'd say whether you stock from a fish supplier or from your local pond depends on what's legal in your state. Pond grown bluegill can sometimes be stunted in which case you'd get a better start from the supplier. Having said that if my state allowed me to go out and stock my system from Bluegill I caught locally, that's probably what I'd do. I wouldn't suggest this with every type of fish but Bluegill are pretty prolific. Once I had stock I'd probably try for breeding ones that grow faster and larger since bluegill are slow growers.

Probably didn't help you much with this answer

I'm in DC, not too far away. I've had good luck with bullhead and bluegill. Trying largemouth bass this year, which is going well so far. Bass you need to get from a farm because they need to be pellet trained when young.

Okay so I'll stay away from adding pond water then just the fish as in VA I can use bluegill from the wild as long as I do not sell them it is legal which is very sensible legislation no complaint there my system is just going to be for personal use.
Want to eventually try trout but that may be a bit in the future but here it's too warm with the average summer temps ranging from 90-95 for highs and only 70s at night unless there's a strain of trout that are hardy to warm water I'll need to find another cooler place like say the blue ridge mountain area!

How much more feed do the largemouth consume than the bluegill I figured their slower growth rate compared to bluegill plus they're massive appetite would make for a trickier fish to raise? I'd be interested in largemouth fingerlings in the future but being my fist time I'm thinking bream will be a good starting point and maybe some crayfish!
Thanks for the answers it's all a bit overwhelming at first but I feel I'm starting to grasp the whole system!

Lmb eat more and grow faster. I got 3 inch fingerlings. The farm said they should be 10 inches by the fall.

With 20-30 fish in a 200 gallon Ibc tank do I need an aerator still or is there no need for one?