Tilapia in the ground?

[Jennifer Raya]

I am working on building a greenhouse for our AP system. We currently are using goldfish for an outdoor system but would like to try using an edible fish like tilapia. We tried last year with the Tilapia but they all died off when the temperature dropped. I am wondering if putting tanks in the ground inside of a greenhouse will help with keeping the temperatures warm or will it make it worse and cool it off? Has anyone done this before? I want to avoid a high electric bill for heating the tanks but I may not have a choice.

[Matt Kobal]

I think a lot depends on where you live.  The constant ground temperature will keep your water temp from large temperature swings, but is usually too cool for tilapia.  I use the cooler ground temp to keep my water cool, both summer and winter in Colorado and have success with trout.

[paul burton]

"but would like to try using an edible fish like tilapia"

AHEM
http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Fish-Recipes/Carp-Recepies.htm

[Jennifer Raya]

Thanks for the reply. I never thought of carp. I live in the high dessert of California. The only fish I have been able to locate fairly nearby is tilapia. I will have to check around. Thanks.

[paul burton]

Goldfish/carp were brought to most of Europe by the Romans/monks, as a source of food.

[Clark E. Fullwood]

Channel or blue catfish are very good option. They are more cold tolerant and are very hardy fish and besides good to eat.

[Jim Fisk]

Figure out what species grows naturally in your area and go with that species. We are in Trout country here in NE TN and we raise trout with very little input in our AP system that ranges between 45 and 70F. Catfish would do well here as well but handling them is almost dangerous due to the spines and chance of infection. Not to mention the salmon family (trout in our case) is so delicious and the oils are very healthy.

[Ian Cameron]

Jim, I'm curious, given your temperature range, are you using biofilters? I was thinking about the bacterial activity, and its slowdown in cooler weather. I love trout and am going out this weekend to try and get one or two now the ice is off the lakes.

[Larry Poe]

that trout looks yummy Jim.

the new system I finally got around to starting has a HUGE cistern. to the tune of around 8'-10' across and 14-16' deep. seriously thinking of using all that cool water storage to grow a colder water type of fish in at least 1 tank. I was thinking Crappie but trout might work too. I figure I can adjust the flow into and out of the fish tank to get close to the ideal temp I want (more flow in the heat of summer for instance)

I already have a big farm pond stocked with channel cat so I prob wont use them in this.