Hello, New to the community not so new to aquaponics

[Tom McLemore]

I have been dabbling in AP for a little over a year now and loving every minute of it. I started with a small system made from IBCs and have now built a larger grow house with three FTs and multiple GBs. I began using goldfish and quickly changed to tilapia. I now have approximately 150 tilapia in two 250 gallon tanks and am expanding the system with another FT and two more large grow beds. I also have an in ground pond with two females and one male tilapia that has been producing offspring rather quickly. I have attached some photos of the before and after. I would one day like to grow into a commercial operation and produce enough for my family and enough extra to sell to the public.

[chuck]

were are you at? nice set up.

 

[Tom McLemore]

I'm in Harlingen, Tx. Right down on the border.

clay hartwig said:

were are you at? nice set up.

 

[TCLynx]

Welcome

[Tom McLemore]

Here are a few more picture of my setup and last seasons produce.

[TCLynx]

Tip, you don't have to put the pictures in as attachments, you can post them directly into the post if you like using the image button (second from the left at the top of the post box.)

[Tom McLemore]

Do I just paste them into the text area? I have never used the image option before. Is there some html code for posting them in the text area?

[Tom McLemore]

opps never mind. I figured it out. I think it will be much easier this way. Thanks.

[TCLynx]

[Bryan Man]

Can you go over the actual design and water flow of your system if you get a chance to? Would be very much appreciated :)

[Tom McLemore]

Sure, I have a CHOP system. I pump from my sump to the GB and to the FT with the same pump. The over flow from the FT returns to the sump. The GBs have auto siphons in them and the return flow from those go to the sump as well. It is very simple and seems to work well for me. I can draw up the design and post it for you if you would like. This is a link to the basic design I used, CHOP

Bryan Man said:

Can you go over the actual design and water flow of your system if you get a chance to? Would be very much appreciated

[Bryan Man]

HA awesome animation on that site :) you must have the pump on 24/7. what size Sump are you using? sorry to bug trying to learn as much as I can :)

[Tom McLemore]

No problem. My pump runs 24/7 and I have two sumps because I run two separate systems. One sump is 100 gallons and the other is 75 gallons. I used a water trough purchased at Tractor Supply for the large sump and 3 - 27 gallon storage bins plumbed together for the smaller one. I am limited in space where I have the small one located and the storage bins were much lower profile. I will post a picture tonight when I get home to help you understand why. I chose this system because I wanted my Fish Tanks to remain full. Also if I lose power my tanks don't drain or over flow. It has been working good so far. I just added another Fish Tank last night and re-plumbed the large system so I can add more grow beds next month. Dont be afraid to ask me about because I love talking about AP.

Bryan Man said:

HA awesome animation on that site you must have the pump on 24/7. what size Sump are you using? sorry to bug trying to learn as much as I can