Using swimming pools for aquaponics

[GaryD]

Hi,

I chanced upon the Gardenpool site again within recent days.

The operators claim that they are now feeding a family of four out of their converted swimming pool......and chickens.

Gary

[littlemisslovestofish]

I've used floating cages for years but have found they have some downsides. One of them is certain species of terretorial fish get very stressed in them when they reach large sizes. I've had some large bluegills (Lepomis machrochirus) beat each other up in them when they don't do it in a large tank or a pond.

I was thinking about starting to raise bluegills myself and had heard that they needed a larger tank, that's why I was considering a swimming pool. Does anyone know of above ground pools Nashville, Tennessee may offer that might be suited for this sort of set up? I've been shopping around a bit, but could use some suggestions!

[Pseudoreality]

I haven't been involved in converting swimming pools into aquaponic systems, but I have been involved in converting old mine tailing ponds in water treatment plants. What we did was use baffles made out of heavy tarps with floating tops that connect into each other to make plug flow channels and certain reactor areas. Depending on your pool I would imagine you could do something similar and use that for different species chambers, floating raft areas, etc. If you are concerned about your stocking density being too low for good plant growth you could always use Earthan Beds. Like it was mentioned earlier, it's definitely doable for those willing to think outside of the standard ratios and focus on what's important.

[JohnMc]

A very common brand of above ground pool is Intex. Most common are the 16&20' models. They have either 3 or 4' sides. Used they can be found pretty cheap -- $150-$300, especially in the winter.

[bsegravescollis]

I have often envisioned a large round tank for the fish. The tank would have a bottom that slopes to a center drain. It would include three circulation mechanisms. The bottom would be conical tapered to a central drain to allow for solids removal. If the system is outside it would have surface drainage as well. Water would be pumped through three outlet pipe equally spaced along the outside of the tank so as to set up circular pattern in the pool. Air would be pumped into the water at the bottom either from pipes or air stones, and a fountain would add more aeration and an aesthetic touch. IF the water wasn't moving enough toward the center of the pool I would add a couple of vertical pump outlet pipes toward the center to augment the circular motion.

[Earthan Group]

I really like the idea of using swimming pools, especially ones that are not used in the home. There is one down the road which we have been invited to visit and I am looking forward to it. Will post some pics...

[GaryD]

Me, too.

They offer so much to the backyard food producer......fish tank, water storage, heat sink......and so on.

A square, rectangular or circular pool can be covered by a greenhouse to create a micro-climate suited to the production of many organisms.

Cando's little lotus pond is an excellent example of this at work.

Gary