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Wanting to expand from aquaponics to aquaculture in my insulated room

 
pollinator
Posts: 927
Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B
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I have a 140 gallon aquaculture system that feeds two media beds and 2 DWC tanks that are all made out of IBC Totes.  Since this is all inside an insulated and somewhat conditioned room it seems very stable.  Just have to remove the heat buildup from the grow lights.  This all uses an airlift system that acts as a pump and air for the fish tanks.

I want to grow tilapia for food and not just fertilizer for the plants.  I have bought two 100 gallon rubbermaid tanks and three small plastic barrels. I also have a 55 gallon breeding tank and a 55 gallon fry growing tank.  

I would like to know if this makes sense.

I will run pipes from the bottom of the large tanks to a 20 gallon solid settling tank and from there another line to a biofiltration tank with K1 and K3 media.  From there it will drain to a 30 gallon sump tank where I pump the clean water back to the two fish tanks.  All the piping is entering/exiting the barrels at about 2/3rd up from the bottom.  The large tanks are draining from the bottom.

Seems straight forward enough. Hope I have not forgot anything.  

What size and brand of pump would you recommend for this size?  How many fish can I grow in each tank?  I am thinking of several (400 to 500) fry into the first tank and when they get big split half off to the other tank.  I would keep them densely stocked so they don't attack each other.  
When it is getting close to harvest I will put another breeding pair and start over.
 
Posts: 34
Location: Tampa, United States
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There are any number of Utube videos as well as other posts that detail EXACTLY or generally how to set systems up. I also took a hands on course at an Aquaponics farm in north Florida It all depends on your inputs and expected outputs, but most important is backup power! I suggest contacting those who have done and posted about it, for tips and things to avoid. Good luck...
 
Dennis Bangham
pollinator
Posts: 927
Location: Huntsville Alabama (North Alabama), Zone 7B
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Thanks, Yes there are a lot of youtube videos on aquaponics. I have a system that is up and running and producing a lot of leafy greens on a regular basis.
I am now wanting to produce fish for food.  Tilapia is what I currently have in my aquaponics system and will now attempt to grow them in large quantities in an aquaculture system. Hoping to run across people who do high stocking densities.
There seems to be a lot for commerical size systems but not residential. My system will consist of two 100 gallon tanks for growing and one 55 gallon tank for breeding.  This is all done inside an insulated room so the temperature and algae is controlled.


 
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