Backyard Aquaculture/Fish Farming

I don't know what our percentage is, 10% sounds a little high over a whole season. One thing that caught us off guard is that water usage goes up exponentially as you get into late Spring and early Summer. 10% would probably be accurate that time of year. We found it was important to stay on top of the water level for Oxygen purposes. We raise catfish and they need a high oxygen level.

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Hillbilly and Proud of It!

Sure, your pounds/gallon go up as the fish grow so more exchange water would be needed later in the cycle even though the respiration and metabolic rate are much faster in younger fish.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin

We started with a 70 gal stock stock a few years back. Lessons learned. The tank heated up quickly in the summer sun even though it was buried in the soil. Lesson two, too much sun also leads to algae bloom which suffocates the fish. This year we changed to a bigger 'pond' in the middle of the garden which is essentially a 400 gal hand dug hole with a liner. I picked up the liner at a big box store for $20 on clearance. Much better! The bullhead fingerlings which started out about the size of my thumb are now ~1 lb each. They get commercial feed supplemented by the insects that tried to attack the gardens (revenge is sweet).

The PV power system for the pumps / timers isn't finished yet so the water is pulled off manually at this time & used to water the plants in the garden & the greenhouse...the tomato plants are huge this year!

The project was well worth the effort. I can't wait for the first fish dinner. Good luck to ya!

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CJ

One suggestion to control an algae bloom is barley straw. You have to put it in early in the season after you start, but it does wonders at controlling algae. We have to control algae in our aquaponics, because it will gum our intakes on our pumps and clog up pipes to the grow beds. We just like being able to see the fish too!!!!!

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Hillbilly and Proud of It!

cowboy joe,

Any way you could post pictures of your setup? Is it partially shaded? I am interested!

Thanks.

Put your bug zapper above your pond and turn it into an automatic feeder.

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www.theidahoagripreneur.blogspot.com

Could you grow trout in a spring pond that runs 24/7? Can you use floating cages?

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amylou62

Do you bleed red, white and blue?

I would think that would be best for trout though I prob wouldnt use the cages that way they can make the most of any natural food and if any predators be able to maybe avoid them.

Downhome,

How do you keep them from being washed out during heavy rain?

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amylou62

Do you bleed red, white and blue?

thier instinct is to go against the current not saying that some may be washed out then they also will go deeper to avoid current also. you could maybe screen the area where it drains though I see that geting clogged the cages may also get clogged up if thiers enough water and junk flowing through. you could maybe build a berm around the highside (where ever the rains going to wash into the pond) of the pond to route the rainfall away keeping it from ever reaching the pond as well as keeping junk from washing in.

This sounds like something my pond would be perfect for and I LOVE trout.

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amylou62

Do you bleed red, white and blue?

Well boys, I gots me 2 350 gallon tanks. I'm getting started. Gotta clean them out, then order fingerlings (any supplier recommenedations), and get an aerator and feed. Going with catfish and maybe tilapia.

Thanks!

Where do I get the aerators for these tanks?

I had a student that started raising channel catfish in her farm lake. She got two blue plastic fertilizer tanks that had leaks. We drilled hundreds of 1/2" holes in them and then floated them in the lake (tied to the docks). The holes allowed fresh water to circulate, but kept the fish contained. The top of the tank was cut off and covered with a chain link fence gate (after the otters had a feast). It worked pretty well for her and she sold lots of fillets.

i've been thinking of doing some kind of fish in our 175 x 75 ' pond, it has some deep areas and some shallow areas..right now the only fish in there are goldfish but would love to have some eating fish, it is a natural bottom pond with lots of underwater plant growth ..any suggestions..MICHIGAN garden zone 4/5

Bass/bluegill is a common combination. Or if the deeper section of your pond stays below 85 degrees you might try a walleye/perch combination. Both of those predators will clean up the goldfish.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin

You could aerate by splashing the water as it re-enters the tanks. The goal is to expose as much water surface to the air as possible.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin

Is there a such thing as over aerating a tank? (Prefer to raise Tilapia or maybe Trout) Not saying that I would create a white-water river, but running too big of a pump, etc???

Heard you can eat goldfish considering they're just fancy colored carp.

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Ted H

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.
-Davy Crockett

I think there's a few college kids that have eaten them followed by a worm and have lived to see another day! LOL I don't know if I, personally would like a meal out of them. LOL