Hello from N. Florida zone 8b - newbie to AP

[Cooking Cajun]

Aloha Ya'll,

 

I'm in N. Florida and researching AP systems to use when we move in full time to our home on 3 ac. We recently started building a 30' 50' pole barn w/5-10ft bays. Although we have many options for uses in this barn, we have considered using some of the space for AP. The long sides of the barn face N/S, so if an addition of a green/cold/shade house is needed, it can be done.

 

I've already learned from this group that a green house may or may not be needed due to Florida climate depending upon what we plan to raise/grow. Bluegill sounds nice, although we expect they would be in need of protein (feed, worms?)

 

Looking forward to learning about your AP systems, what you grow/raise, what structures do you use (or not use if outdoor).

[Ron Thompson]

Hola,

 

I have a small vertical system based on vertigro containers. These are great for many plants like lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, beans, herbs, etc..  They drip into a grow bed where I put everything from broccoli to pineapple. My fish are a mix of Tilapia and channel cats in a 4' inflatable pool. I use natural shade primarily though I did put a hoop shelter in during the winter as an improvised hothouse.

 

During my time I've made changes and learned by trial and error. Little things I would suggest:

 

1) there are alternatives to the big name growing media - you can save alot.

2) redundancy is important in some areas. I strongly suggest a second airpump as insurance against a blown airline and dead fish.

3) From my aquarium days I learned to leave things alone and most stuff sorts itself out

4) Purina makes good fish food

5) visit other setups - you will learn a lot.

6) experiment and have fun  

 

[halemart]

Welcome aboard, 

I am up just South of Ocala, this is my first year of AP and I love it!    Ron just gave excellent advice,  I would also suggest looking thru the videos here as there are many things  you can learn by watching videos of other peoples setups.

 

Cheers!

[TCLynx]

You might want to have some easy means of adding a bit of season extension for the really cold snaps if you want to avoid all frost burn but otherwise you are likely to do better avoiding the true greenhouse in Florida.  Some afternoon shade in summer is often more important than a greenhouse in winter here.

 

Your choice of fish will make a year round garden type aquaponics system very pleasurable since you won't be struggling to keep the temperatures over 70 F all winter.

[Ron Thompson]

Listen to TC on fish selection, it will save you headaches and money over the long haul. I would be thinking Channel Cats, Bream (bluegill) and possibly Perch. I have not had any issues putting several species in one pool.

 

TCLynx said:

You might want to have some easy means of adding a bit of season extension for the really cold snaps if you want to avoid all frost burn but otherwise you are likely to do better avoiding the true greenhouse in Florida.  Some afternoon shade in summer is often more important than a greenhouse in winter here.

 

Your choice of fish will make a year round garden type aquaponics system very pleasurable since you won't be struggling to keep the temperatures over 70 F all winter.

[Michelle Silva]

I agree with the advice given from TC regarding fish..it was a bit of a struggle with the tilapia over this past winter. They made it through OK, but didn't eat much for almost two months! Needless to say the produce started to suffer. After I had the system set up a few months I realized I wouldn't be able to bring myself to kill/harvest the fish..we so rarely eat fish anyway....started adding goldfish since they are more cold tolerant.

[Ron Thompson]

LOL... I'm having a bit of the same issue with fish. My wife made pets of them and has a major fit whenever I mention a harvest. She gets really sad when one commits suicide by jumping out of the pool. I really don't know how that ever happens or how lucky I am to always find the dead fish just moments after it expires and is still fresh    

Michelle Silva said:

 After I had the system set up a few months I realized I wouldn't be able to bring myself to kill/harvest the fish..we so rarely eat fish anyway....started adding goldfish since they are more cold tolerant.

[Cooking Cajun]

I agree on both counts, I'm just getting into vegetable gardening in Florida and am quickly learning about the need for shade. My DH and I are currently considering the fish you mentioned, thanks for the recommendation, it helps.

Ron Thompson said:

Listen to TC on fish selection, it will save you headaches and money over the long haul. I would be thinking Channel Cats, Bream (bluegill) and possibly Perch. I have not had any issues putting several species in one pool.

 

TCLynx said:

You might want to have some easy means of adding a bit of season extension for the really cold snaps if you want to avoid all frost burn but otherwise you are likely to do better avoiding the true greenhouse in Florida.  Some afternoon shade in summer is often more important than a greenhouse in winter here.

 

Your choice of fish will make a year round garden type aquaponics system very pleasurable since you won't be struggling to keep the temperatures over 70 F all winter.

[Cooking Cajun]

What is the best method for killing them? To me, this question is silly...I mean, I have gone fishing and helped to clean fish!

 

I'm the one who used to have the frying pan in one hand and drooling for something to fry as my husband would try to fish for enjoyment. I finally said we'll just go to the fish store on the way home. We are both excited about the prospect of AP.

Ron Thompson said:

LOL... I'm having a bit of the same issue with fish. My wife made pets of them and has a major fit whenever I mention a harvest. She gets really sad when one commits suicide by jumping out of the pool. I really don't know how that ever happens or how lucky I am to always find the dead fish just moments after it expires and is still fresh    

Michelle Silva said:

 After I had the system set up a few months I realized I wouldn't be able to bring myself to kill/harvest the fish..we so rarely eat fish anyway....started adding goldfish since they are more cold tolerant.

[Cooking Cajun]

The videos do help to figure out some things we are trying to understand from reading various articles. We have discussed setting up a small sheflponics system first to get a hands on understanding of the basics as we consider the various systems options (for the larger scale system). http://gardenpool.org/?p=431 

 

It may be a year or two until we get into our mini farm property (planned location for the AP system) and we're not sure our local government would take kindly to a full AP system in our backyard. So the shelfponics will give us a small amount of practice until one or both of us get to the farm full time.

 

Thanks for the info.

halemart said:

Welcome aboard, 

I am up just South of Ocala, this is my first year of AP and I love it!    Ron just gave excellent advice,  I would also suggest looking thru the videos here as there are many things  you can learn by watching videos of other peoples setups.

 

Cheers!



[Cooking Cajun]

Based on what I've learned so far this Summer, I tend to agree with you on season extension. Many thanks for your input.

TCLynx said:

You might want to have some easy means of adding a bit of season extension for the really cold snaps if you want to avoid all frost burn but otherwise you are likely to do better avoiding the true greenhouse in Florida.  Some afternoon shade in summer is often more important than a greenhouse in winter here.

 

Your choice of fish will make a year round garden type aquaponics system very pleasurable since you won't be struggling to keep the temperatures over 70 F all winter.

[TCLynx]

Provided you have power close enough to where you put your fish tank, I don't think your local government should care if you have an aquaponics system in your backyard (as far as I'm concerned it is an ornamental fish pond and the only permits needed for something like that would be if you need to run power out to it and then raised garden beds which local building codes won't care about unless you are talking something big enough to need a foundation poured.)  Now a Home Owners Association with control over what you are allowed to have in your back yard may be a different story since I've heard of them banning veggie gardens which I think should be against the law the same as they are no longer allowed to ban solar panels and clothes lines.

 

Learning to kill your own food can sometimes take a bit of practice but where there is a will there is a way.

[Cooking Cajun]

Oh, ok....I re-read over my posting that you replied to. We are currently living in a small cottage on a 1/4 ac lot in a town that's pleasant, but with alot of "permit" regulations. Our AP system is planned for our "retirement" home (in the county) on 3 ac about an hour away. Power and water is already on a portion of that property, from a previous owner, that we can set up the AP. While we are still in our cottage, I figured the shelfponics system would be a small amount of practice until we can get up to the larger property. thanks TC

TCLynx said:

Provided you have power close enough to where you put your fish tank, I don't think your local government should care if you have an aquaponics system in your backyard (as far as I'm concerned it is an ornamental fish pond and the only permits needed for something like that would be if you need to run power out to it and then raised garden beds which local building codes won't care about unless you are talking something big enough to need a foundation poured.)  Now a Home Owners Association with control over what you are allowed to have in your back yard may be a different story since I've heard of them banning veggie gardens which I think should be against the law the same as they are no longer allowed to ban solar panels and clothes lines.

 

Learning to kill your own food can sometimes take a bit of practice but where there is a will there is a way.