Where you get your gear

[Sean-Michael Gettys]

we were thinking of going here tomorrow to get our aquaponics systems set up. We've decided to do one indoors and one out just to experiment:http://tanknbarrel.com/index_files/Page1012.htm anyone know somewhere better? 

Also need to get some shrimp and nile tilapia

[Chris George]

I got a barrel from them yesterday at the grand opening of the new Home Grown Hydroponics store at 18th avenue and Bell.  Phil gave me his card, nice guy!

Tilapia can be purchased from several members of this group.  Sheri is in Gilbert (East side), Larry is N/W Phoenix, and at Garden Pool Dobson & 8th (West Mesa).

The shrimp hookup is Tom....I'll have to look for his number and I'll post it here for you.

[Chris George]

Here is the number to Tom Curtis. He sells them locally. 480-216-6299 (contact info from Dr. George Brooks).  Also, David Schwinghamer, moderator of this group, said he'd have some tilapia for sale soon too.

[Chris George]

Just a PS.....you know that we're getting into the time of year where it will be too cold outside for tilapia or shrimp...unless you are prepared to heat your water up to at least 65 or more (constant temp) for the tilapia, 75 or more would be my guess for the shrimp....Dr. Brooks would know the best numbers on the shrimp.  At the lower end of the temp range you won't get much growth either....just FYI.....  But for inside (ambient being 68-70) with a little added heat you should be alright.  Ask some of the more seasoned Aquapons here on the site for their opinions.  It's a great group, they will be happy to help you.

[Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.]

Keep temps above 70 for both and you will be OK.

[Sean-Michael Gettys]

thanks all. So would I be better off starting with something other than nile tilapia since it's the cooler time of year? Oh that's right Dr Brooks gave me that number. I'll call re the shrimp tomorrow for our indoor tank. We're up for other kinds of fish if there are some that we could use during the winter, then eat them and switch over to Tilapia we're cool with that. Our goal is to supplement our groceries through growing our own food, and to live more sustainably. Or I could set up a solar powered heater to keep the water warmer. I have some solar panels laying around unused that used to go to yard lights, I could fiddle with that I suppose. I'm a DIY kinda person, and don't want to spend more money than we have to. 

I've also been trying to think of a way to collect the solid wastes from the fish more efficiently than I've seen on most IBC sets ups. Anybody figured anything out like this? We'd considered  using an above ground pool like they use at 911 Baseline, but I'm concerned about how to go about cleaning it out since it's mostly covered. 

[Sean-Michael Gettys]

Just had a thought... solar water heating does not require any electricity actually. All I need is black pipes in a spot that gets sun, and I can set it up a bit like a sump tank, in that the water can pump from the fish tank up into the pipes, and the water that was already there heating up in the sun can go down into the plant bed and then drain into the fish tank... then in the time of year when we don't need warmer water we can just bypass the solar water heater section. Or maybe the warm water goes directly into the fish tank and from there into the plants and from there back into the water heater, that way it's filtered water in the pipes. Sounds like a fun experiment if nothing else

[Vlad Jovanovic]

That's great and all, but how are you going to be able to utilize that heat when you need it most..? i.e at night when it's cold...

[Sean-Michael Gettys]

yeah, that's why I'm thinking it's better to look into if there's a fish that does well in cold water that we could use till it gets warmer. Although solar water heaters can be built to still have warm water available at night, the idea I mentioned above would run the water through too often, so it would be pumping cooler water into the coiled black pipe/hose. Don't think it would work out. 

[Sean-Michael Gettys]

Here's our backyard system getting set... http://web.stagram.com/p/288394829605048062_220092754