Cold Weather Aquaponics Discussions - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-29T04:57:07Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/groups/group/forum?groupUrl=cold-weather-aquaponics&feed=yes&xn_auth=noCold weather Tilapiatag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2017-11-17:4778851:Topic:6457772017-11-17T02:35:41.888ZIan Cameronhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/IanCameron
<p>I picked up 20 fingerlings last November to grow out. Well, kept 2 males and 3 females aside to see if they would breed. Hmmm, I guess they like the greenhouse environment because I am now the owner of about 300 fry. I might have to expand to keep up, 'cause more FT's and growbeds are needed to take care of the population explosion. Strange winter up here. A few nights of frost, but daytime temps in the low C's, and never seen so much rain this late in the year. Well, here's to a great…</p>
<p>I picked up 20 fingerlings last November to grow out. Well, kept 2 males and 3 females aside to see if they would breed. Hmmm, I guess they like the greenhouse environment because I am now the owner of about 300 fry. I might have to expand to keep up, 'cause more FT's and growbeds are needed to take care of the population explosion. Strange winter up here. A few nights of frost, but daytime temps in the low C's, and never seen so much rain this late in the year. Well, here's to a great winter growing season for every one.</p> Cold weather problem?tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2016-03-03:4778851:Topic:6252442016-03-03T03:18:25.000ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>I had an infestation of some kind of bug in one of my grow beds. I was able to flood it several times and eliminate the problem. I couldn't figure out why only one bed was affected and then I thought about the infected bed was the one that I had covered with a foam board for insulation since early fall. Any one have thoughts on this? You can see in the picture how the beds were set up.…</p>
<p><img alt="Grow Beds 1" height="271" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656382749?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="167"></img></p>
<p>I had an infestation of some kind of bug in one of my grow beds. I was able to flood it several times and eliminate the problem. I couldn't figure out why only one bed was affected and then I thought about the infected bed was the one that I had covered with a foam board for insulation since early fall. Any one have thoughts on this? You can see in the picture how the beds were set up.</p>
<p><img width="78" height="139" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2656382749?profile=RESIZE_180x180" alt="Grow Beds 1" width="167" height="271"/></p> To heat or not to heattag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-11-19:4778851:Topic:6184752015-11-19T03:08:15.413ZJeff Shttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JeffSullivan
<p>Last year I spent a ton heating my fish tank and built low tunnels around my beds to keep plant temps up. This year I'm thinking about heating the greenhouse to around 50-60 and by doing so cut down on the fish tank heating cost. I don't think this would cost any more than heating the tank in freezing greenhouse. I've taken additional steps to insulate the greenhouse and fish tank and have plenty of wood and a backup thermostatic propane heater when needed for when the fire goes out. Any…</p>
<p>Last year I spent a ton heating my fish tank and built low tunnels around my beds to keep plant temps up. This year I'm thinking about heating the greenhouse to around 50-60 and by doing so cut down on the fish tank heating cost. I don't think this would cost any more than heating the tank in freezing greenhouse. I've taken additional steps to insulate the greenhouse and fish tank and have plenty of wood and a backup thermostatic propane heater when needed for when the fire goes out. Any thoughts on this concept?</p> Spring is Here?tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-03-21:4778851:Topic:6004762015-03-21T19:44:52.530ZIan Cameronhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/IanCameron
<p>Hi folks, well it certainly looks as if the weather over here is definitely getting warmer. Leaves are coming out on the weeping willow etc. The in-ground has survived the winter beyond my wildest expectations. Produce included Kale, Mustard Greens, Carrots, Basil, Swiss Chard, Lettuce and now hand pollinating the tomatoes.</p>
<p>Took the lights out today as the 12hr dark period is here, and yes, tomatoes do need that when flowering and fruiting. So, 6 months of cold and lots of leafy…</p>
<p>Hi folks, well it certainly looks as if the weather over here is definitely getting warmer. Leaves are coming out on the weeping willow etc. The in-ground has survived the winter beyond my wildest expectations. Produce included Kale, Mustard Greens, Carrots, Basil, Swiss Chard, Lettuce and now hand pollinating the tomatoes.</p>
<p>Took the lights out today as the 12hr dark period is here, and yes, tomatoes do need that when flowering and fruiting. So, 6 months of cold and lots of leafy greens later, plans are in the works for a community sized setup. I guess it helps to have the schools on board. I have set up a system at ours, and teach the grades 5,6, 7's about aquaponics 2 hrs /week. Its a lot of fun for them (me too), as they helped build it from the ground up. I provided all the equipment at cost, and volunteer the teaching time. It did not take long for word to get around. Lots of visits to my setup, and offers to help with proposals/funding for a community/ valley wide system. I must say that I was quite amazed at the number of people who are willing to support such an enterprise that can produce veggies locally year round.</p>
<p>Question: What looks like a giants stair case. Each step 12 feet high by 12 feet wide, 3 steps high, covered with plastic and 45 - 90 feet long. Well. the drawing looks quite impressive! Whether or not it can be pulled off is another story. However, if you don't try you will never know, right?</p>
<p>Have a great spring everyone.</p>
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<p></p> Vertical Lighting for Indoor ZipGrow SetUptag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-01-17:4778851:Topic:5933272015-01-17T20:21:03.949ZBrianhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/Brian971
<p>I plan to set up a Zip Grow vertical system with 3 ft towers and 100 gallon fish tank. I am perplexed about how to do that lighting. Is anyone aware of a vertical lighting system that would be appropriate but not break the bank account? I could as an alternative lay the Zip Grows on a slant, but that seems to negate the advantage of the Zip Grow space savings.</p>
<p>I plan to set up a Zip Grow vertical system with 3 ft towers and 100 gallon fish tank. I am perplexed about how to do that lighting. Is anyone aware of a vertical lighting system that would be appropriate but not break the bank account? I could as an alternative lay the Zip Grows on a slant, but that seems to negate the advantage of the Zip Grow space savings.</p> Winter Wonderlandtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-01-10:4778851:Topic:5923002015-01-10T18:48:05.427ZIan Cameronhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/IanCameron
<p>Hope everyone's greenhouse is doing well this winter.</p>
<p>Some images of whats going on outside and in the GH.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Hope everyone's greenhouse is doing well this winter.</p>
<p>Some images of whats going on outside and in the GH.</p>
<p></p> Happy New Year!tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2015-01-01:4778851:Topic:5910812015-01-01T16:34:44.637ZIan Cameronhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/IanCameron
<p>Yup, it's 2015, and best wishes to everyone! I'm transplanting basil, tomatoes and lettuce today into the raised bed. The green house has stayed at a constant 23-27C throughout this winter so far, and I have used close to 2 cords of wood. That's less than what we use for our house. It was a challenge in 2014 to get this up and running before freeze-up set in, but worth every minute of it. Here's hoping that the rest of the winter growing will progress as it has so far.</p>
<p>Yup, it's 2015, and best wishes to everyone! I'm transplanting basil, tomatoes and lettuce today into the raised bed. The green house has stayed at a constant 23-27C throughout this winter so far, and I have used close to 2 cords of wood. That's less than what we use for our house. It was a challenge in 2014 to get this up and running before freeze-up set in, but worth every minute of it. Here's hoping that the rest of the winter growing will progress as it has so far.</p> Greenhouse & Fish House Build threadtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-12:4778851:Topic:5898182014-12-12T22:58:24.853ZBrent Doughertyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BrentDougherty
<p>Hello all, </p>
<p>Instead of putting all my photos in my intro thread, I decided to create a build thread for those who wish to "Go Big or Go Home" hehehe.. I am going to photo document as much as possible and give clear details to what we are doing and why. Since this is our first time, I am sure there will be mistakes and changes along the way. As the process continues, if anyone here has any "Improvement Ideas" or a better way of doing something you see we are about to do, please,…</p>
<p>Hello all, </p>
<p>Instead of putting all my photos in my intro thread, I decided to create a build thread for those who wish to "Go Big or Go Home" hehehe.. I am going to photo document as much as possible and give clear details to what we are doing and why. Since this is our first time, I am sure there will be mistakes and changes along the way. As the process continues, if anyone here has any "Improvement Ideas" or a better way of doing something you see we are about to do, please, please speak up and share!</p>
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<p>I will start adding photos, some of which have already been posted, but should be part of this thread..</p>
<p></p>
<p>Take care, have a great Holiday Season!</p> Introtag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-12-04:4778851:Topic:5887202014-12-04T03:22:01.805ZBrent Doughertyhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/BrentDougherty
<p>Hello all, a little introduction.. My wife and I are brand new to aquaponics, yet like most things, I do everything full steam ahead, and make sure I am armed with all the knowledge I can soak up before I start! WE live in Arizona, why am I here? It's Northern Arizona and it's cold enough for this group. We are in the process of insulating a pole barn which will become our "fish house" and we are starting construction on a 30' X 48' twin wall Poly Carbonate greenhouse. We harvested our…</p>
<p>Hello all, a little introduction.. My wife and I are brand new to aquaponics, yet like most things, I do everything full steam ahead, and make sure I am armed with all the knowledge I can soak up before I start! WE live in Arizona, why am I here? It's Northern Arizona and it's cold enough for this group. We are in the process of insulating a pole barn which will become our "fish house" and we are starting construction on a 30' X 48' twin wall Poly Carbonate greenhouse. We harvested our first clutch of baby tilapia today and everything seems to be coming together nicely! Just wanted to say hello, and we will share our experience here with photos etc.. as we continue our process..</p> Cold weather update - spooftag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2014-11-29:4778851:Topic:5881182014-11-29T02:01:29.388ZIan Cameronhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/IanCameron
<p>Well folks it is cold today. I don't need a thermometer to tell me this. It is reliably reported the a brass monkey was stopping traffic, asking for a propane torch! Also, the local well diggers have packed it in!</p>
<p>Just goes to show that a little humour can have a big effect on the winter outlook.</p>
<p>Well folks it is cold today. I don't need a thermometer to tell me this. It is reliably reported the a brass monkey was stopping traffic, asking for a propane torch! Also, the local well diggers have packed it in!</p>
<p>Just goes to show that a little humour can have a big effect on the winter outlook.</p>