Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hiya. I'm looking at making a 250 - 300 gal system. I'm curious though - how shallow of a tank do tilapia tolerate? Is 16 - 18" deep good enough? What if I made a tall narrow tank with good aeration? Is 16 - 18" front to back enough room for them to turn around comfortably? Thanks!

For 250-300 gallons I'd get an IBC, it is approx 40"x48" footprint. Definitely bigger and shallow would be preferable to something tall but only 16-18"

2-4' (0.6-1.2m) depth is ideal for many fish types in aquaculture type tanks up to 5000L.
And there is generally a preference for circular tanks, though that doesn't matter much for small system AP.
2-3' at the 300 Gallon level- hence IBCs work OK.

however sounds like yours is more an oversized aquarium (or a rectangular planter sized pond).

Fish size and growth will be reflected the room fish have to move and swim...
so depends on what role the fish are to play.

I would be looking at greater than 25" (600mm) width.

Thanks!