Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I looked long and hard for ways to do Tilapia in my area as I am in Rio Rancho NM, however the state seems to think that its a brilliant idea to ban them flat out and has a restricted list of fish that I can import. I do not like the choice of fish I really have to work with therefore I am going to go with Rainbow Trout.

I have worked out a few ways to get things under control but I have a few questions. I will have to keep the water cool as I live in a desert and water can get very hot. I figure having the fish out of the sun in the garage, running copper pipes under the soil to allow the cool ground to cool the water. I am hoping I can use this to allow for trout to survive. I think this should work as when I dig down and stick my hands in the dirt "rather unscientific I know" but it is very chilly. I think its cold enough to allow for what I want to do. However it will need to be buried deep enough to allow for them not to freeze.

What kind of diet can I feed trout that would be not stupidly expensive? I saw somebody feeds their bass roaches would that be viable? My main concern is their diet at this point and any infos would be quite helpful.

Thanks

Copper works great for heat exchangers, but ionizes in water in a way that will kill fish. So the parts that contact the fish tank water have to be something else.

hmm I was not aware of copper ionizing that is good to know. I guess I will have to use some other metal? Does anybody have any ideas on what would work rather well?

These guys have food for ~$20 for 50lb

http://www.aquamaxfishfeed.com/

The way they make the laws up are crazy. Here is AZ I can do tilapia but can't do trout

Here is a list of State laws. I just can't believe some of the states that have ban tilapia I can understand Florida but why TaxAASSACHUSETTS but they do elect Ted every six years

http://www.fishforum.com/viewtopic.php? ... sc&start=0

stainless steel is fine apparently for water contact.
Personally I think the idea of 'ground' cooling is a good idea,
and have been a promoter of the idea for a while.
Trout eat pellets and if you have access to a meat mincer that extrudes,
then all you need to do is find a protein source. and make your own pellets.

Welcome to the forum SlicerDicer.....

Any trout, but particularly Rainbow Trout need not only cool/cold water but high volume flow and highly oxygenated water.....

If you can't reliably provide ALL three parameters then you might as well just fire up the bbq and read up on trout recipes

mine seemed fine for a few years with only cold water but I guess they got a fair bit of DO from the high flow!
then they got the BBq well a fair bit of smoke anyway...
Enough to eat them!

Beef and lamb heart goes down well, I've been experimenting with ground heart, shreaded veg (zuccini, duckweed or whatever), raw egg, paprika, all held together with gelatine and chopped up. A bit of a change from pellets all the time.

good ideas! KE

Sorry I did not reply sooner. Yes the state of new mexico is uptight about it. I spoke with the Fish and Game head honcho on friday about Tilapia. Mainly the HUGE concern to them is somehow I give a live?? Tilapia to a neighbor and it gets released in Rio Grande.

But it seems I might be able to do Tilapia! I have to write them a letter with what I intend to do where to discharge effluent and other things like that.

Hopefully I can get tilapia that will make my life so much easier.

I wish I could find a place where I did not have to drop 300$ to get the blasted fish :/ Its either order long distance (let fedex or united package smashers have their way with them) or drive to a hatchery. I can order smaller quantities long distance but shipping is brutal... In new mexico I have to order large quantities and its cheaper due to ability to drive.

Well there is the deal on where I am at the moment for now it seems Trout are axed from the list till I get the reply from the fish and game.

Point out that one of the main benefits of AP is that it is a recirculating system.... as such there is no effluent discharge.... we use it to grow plants...

yes but they have never dealt with that so I said any effluent discharge would be in my sewer system. Or rather that is what they told me to put down as it would be a recirculating system. As they _HAVE_ to have a discharge point. Otherwise I get automagic rejected.

Yep, that would be the way bureaucracy works....

Worried about fish escaping into a river... what you need to do son is dispose of your discharge to the sewer not into the river....

We'll dump the sewer into the river further downstream.....

Tell them you'll use any discharge to water your soil garden...

I do not have a soil garden... If they inspect me it would be considered false information no? I dont like lying to people that can put me behind bars


I thought they were the same thing

That is if you have ever seen the Rio "Not so" Grande