My New System

[POC3442]

Like all new projects there are always things that will change. For the better thanks to Moose I will now be using Tilapia insted of Crappie. I am so excited! That being said, I got a few more things done. Most importantly got the homemade autosiphon built and working. I got all my parts ordered so now I just have to waite on the pump. I also got all my gravel but can't fill the bed untill I get the water pump so I can submerge the water inlet into the GB.

Things left to do:
Waite for Pump, Airator, Grow Lights to arrive.
Get system primed.
Order Tilapia


Here are a few pics of my new system so far.

[hellbent]

nice, but are you worried about mold with it being inside the house?
did you use some kind of degreaser to clean that thing? my ibc had some kind of polymer in it, it took a few hours to clean too.

[POC3442]

Dawn soap and a lot of green scrubber pads....took 3 days working 3-4 hours each day on it. Let me tell you by the 3rd day my arms were shot.

As far as mold not really. As you can see that room has vinyl siding on it. The previous home owners enclosed it so that it would be a year around room since it was already roofed and had the other 3 sides up against the house. All they did was add on the 2 Sliding glass doors. Because the room was outside before I don't really see mold being a problem. But also aquaponics doesn’t loose a lot of water. In addition, the winters are really dry so if anything it might get the humidity up a little bit in the house.

Summers I can open the house up. The best part about being inside is I will get a constant 70-73 degree temperature.

[hellbent]

i have read that some people have used brake cleaner, and then thoroughly cleaned it again to remove all trace of the brake cleaner

[POC3442]

i have read that some people have used brake cleaner, and then thoroughly cleaned it again to remove all trace of the brake cleaner

That would of been great to know a week ago...assuming it came of super easily w/no scrubbing required. I was just afraid to use anything on it inside that might leave a residue for something I'll be eating out of.

[POC3442]

Just wanted to post an update:
So the system is fully built everything is in place now I just need the IDNR(Illinois Department of Natural Resources) to get back to me with my permits. I applied for a Tilapia permit which the guy in IDNR said it wouldn't be a problem from what he could understand with my setup. But I sent the money in 2 weeks ago so might have to give them a check up call come Monday.

[Apache]

Hello There, I recently met a very brilliant and successful aquaponics/culture farmer, Myles Harston of AquaRanch Industries, who lives in your back yard. If you haven't had a chance to talk to him you should. http://www.aquaranch.com/

Good luck!

Austin~

[POC3442]

Its funny you mention him because I talked to hike before I applied for the permit. He sells 2" fingerlings for 24 cents and 3" fingerlings for 34 cents. He lives 2 hours away so as soon as I get a my permit I'll be making the trip....just need to ask if he sells food too.

[POC3442]

Well just wanted to give another update:
Today I got all the grow lights put up and just got off the phone with the Illinois DNR guy. Long story short I called them 2 months ago. Filled out a form, then kept badgering them untill they finally got a guy to come out(took 3 weeks). He came out took 2 pictures and left. I then had to waite another week and just got off the phone with the last IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) guy. He said he sent off for my permit for Tilapia which was approved to Springfield(our state capitol) and if I don't have my permit in hand in 2-3 weeks to give him a call again. Long ass process but now I can start looking at buying some local tilapia fingerlings!

The only thing I am not sure about now is how I am going to transfer 50-75 3inch tilapia fingerlings from 2 hours away. Anything have any tips?

[Jean R]

Hello
You can transfer them by plastic bag which is inflated with O2 (and water).
We use this technique to transfert fish during more than 24 hours. Just be carrefull with density per bag.
For less than one hundred fingerlings, you can use a 50 Liter plastic bag, put 15 Liter of water with the fish. Then, blow up with O2 (be carreful : no fire and no grease), O2 is used to do gas welding. You can find someone who's got a gas bottle. I think that you can just use air, but take 2 or 3 bags more as a precaution.
Use rubber band to close the bag hermetically.

If you can't do that, use a bucket with aerating system (like here).

Keep whatching on the temperature, use a coolbox if necessary.

good luck (and sorry for my poor vocabulary !)