Aquaponics in the cold? 2 questions please

[aamcle]

Hi All.

I've been asked to look into to setting up an aquaponics system for a charity who want to use it to help some of the local kids. The idea being to provide some courses and we hope get them back into the formal education system.

Or current thought is to put the system into a 4 sided structure (all sides insulated) with a polycarbonate roof to let light in or maybe have one of the walls transparent as well as the roof.

We have a vandalism issue so 4 solid walls and a clear roof would be best.

Within those limits my current and greatest concern is the British climate to give you an idea my yard got down to -15C last winter.

Heating the water isn't a issue some fish tank heaters would do the job, I can get them and insulate the tank.

In the past I have used small floating balls (bit smaller than ping pong balls) on the surface of water to reduce heat loss and evaporation is this OK in a aquaponics system?

To keep plants growing in our winter I think we will need some sort of space heating and probably lighting.

Can you advise me about heating and lighting or maybe tell me were to look for information?


Many Thanks aamcle

[Kaduda]

I'm looking at running my system in a greenhouse though will be using a boiler for heat...My winters here can reach -40...Though I've seen -60 with the windchill...

As for heating and lighting, check out commercial sites or even greenhouses and see what they use. I think I read somewhere that plants heated underneath grow better then having the heat in the air...Ie warming pads, though I would assume the water in the aquaponics system could have the same effect...