JT's Greenhouse & Outdoor Aquaponics Systems

[Jim Tinker]

Well to start off..... I had a small greenhouse and dirt garden, but was using tons of water and looked for a better way and found aquaponics...

I'll start with my indoor system....

My greenhouse is a 12' x 33' lean-to on the south side of my garage... in the middle of winter it receives about 7 hours of sunlight a day.. so it's a great location...

It's a CHIFT PIST system that has a 1500 gallon sump tank along with a 600 gallon fish tank...

I have 3 grow beds built and have one more to build so I can get ready for winter and finish enclosing

the greenhouse itself.......

[Jim Tinker]

hey no problem...

CHIFT PIST = constant height in fish tank - pump in sump tank

some also call it a CHOP system constant height - one pump

hope this helps
JT

[Dan Brown]

Nice work, good looking system!

[George T]

Your large sump tank should be quite the heat sink.  Are you heating the greenhouse and how is it doing in these cold temperatures?  It looks great.

 

The outdoor system - Is the shade cloth really necessary to provide shade?  I'm never done that with a dirt garden so I'm curious as to why it seems to be used a lot in aquaponics.  Perhaps it's just to keep debris out of the beds.

[Jim Tinker]

Yes it works pretty well... there is a total of 2000 gallons between ST and FT.... since I didnt get my second layer of plastic on, its not as efficient as it should be and since I have so much water, there is quite a bit of condensation....I am using a couple fans at the highest point to circulate the air and I have a propane no-vent wall heater for extra heat.... last night was down to 22 degrees and it stayed 50 in there with the heater on low.... tonight its supposed to be down to 16degrees so will run the heater on medium ....... 

 

I still have not covered the ST with a foam cover to help reduce the condensation, Im about 2 months behind on this newest project...but now will have to wait until late spring to finish, because thats probably when the greenhouse will dry out....

George J. Thurmon said:

Your large sump tank should be quite the heat sink.  Are you heating the greenhouse and how is it doing in these cold temperatures?  It looks great.

 

The outdoor system - Is the shade cloth really necessary to provide shade?  I'm never done that with a dirt garden so I'm curious as to why it seems to be used a lot in aquaponics.  Perhaps it's just to keep debris out of the beds.

[Chi Ma]

Sweet setup. What fish are ya gonna use?

[Jim Tinker]

I've been running bluegill and catfish.... I have 100 bluegill and 30 channel cats... the largest catfish is right at 13" long... ready for the pan...

Chi Ma said:

Sweet setup. What fish are ya gonna use?

[George T]

Please tell me which sub species of bluegill you have and what your experience has been with them, feeding habits and growth rates.  Thanks.  GT

Jim Tinker said:

I've been running bluegill and catfish.... ...

Chi Ma said:

Sweet setup. What fish are ya gonna use?