Comment

Comment by John Malone on February 9, 2012 at 9:00am

Thanks for your comments Sheri.

A question regarding insulating the top of the tank during winter.   By floating the styrofoam sheet on top of the tank isn't there a risk of low oxygen in the water due to reducing water to air contact?   How do you get around that?  Do you have air bubblers in your fish tank?  Or is it not a problem?

Always learning.

Thanks

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 9, 2012 at 8:55am

These groups are great because we all learn from each other!

If you can get your hand on some flexible foam sheets or other insulation, you can insulate what's not buried. A horse trough will absorb heat & you want to prevent that.

Thoughts about burying your tank: Just based on how we do fence posts, we always waterproof the part going in the ground and a few inches above to prevent it rusting out. We have horse pens with poles directly in the soil and they started rotted out after a few years. Our other fencing we wrapped with a polywrap made by Christy (they make PVC glue, too).

Some thoughts about evaporation: Evaporation cools, so it's good in the summer, but it means you have to replenish a lot.Continual evaporation leads to a buildup in salts & minerals. We're on SRP and it has a LOT of minerals. You don't have to worry about it too much, but it's just something to keep in mind. A partial water change before summer and another after might be good. Others can comment on that.

In the winter you can reduce evaporation by covering the top; an insulated cover will help retain heat. We have styrofoam sheets that both insulate and act as rafts for plants.

That's all that came to mind for now. :)

Comment by David Schwinghamer on February 8, 2012 at 7:52pm

Well all I can say is Im in your shoes too, have been doing everything indoors because of the cold. Im going to continue indoors until I get some sort of shade to cover my shade structure. Currently its covering my hot tub and has a misting system also. My aquaponics will be in the back of the shade structure. I also thought of building a water evap cooler with a fan to keep water temps lower. I guess that is why I started this group so I could learn more. Local Roots of Tucson is going to be holding an aquaponics tour this Saturday morning if you want to explore more systems. 

Comment by Jacques L. on February 8, 2012 at 5:55pm

I'm trying ;)

Been storing away everything I'm gleaning online, but always know there's more to learn. 

Hoping to have the shed redone in about 2 months time with enough time to cycle it up before summer hits.

So water volume, partial burial and shading of the tank to help offset the heat.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on February 8, 2012 at 4:39pm

It sounds like you're doing your homework! I've had goldfish live 5 years in a horse trough, but that's a goldfish and they tolerate a lot...and we don't eat them.

Holly, the Rubbermaid should last years and years. The part that will decay first is the part exposed to the outside. A lot of us are using the IBC totes, and that's what we have buried.

Comment by Jacques L. on February 8, 2012 at 4:28pm

Thanks David! Found your group through one of your other members, John Malone. He's a good friend of mine and we've been plotting our little AP systems for months together. We're only now getting ready to take the plunge! 

Comment by David Schwinghamer on February 8, 2012 at 4:18pm

Jacques,

Welcome to our little fish gardener group, glad you found us. I always am curious how people find this group. I have been working close with Maynhia with her startup ebb and flow and raft system and I noticed she has a lot left of new pond liner, send her a message.

Comment by Jacques L. on February 8, 2012 at 4:04pm

I have seen those around. You can find larger ones as high as 1,000 gallons at the local feed stores.

The only issue is with the dimensions. That trough is a little over 5 feet in width. The trough I found is about 2' W x 3' T x 8' long and will work well within the confines of the greenhouse I'm looking to setup. Its also priced at $180, so it's a good deal as well.

Comment by Holly Curtis on February 8, 2012 at 3:50pm

This rubbermaid tank is an interesting idea:  http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3962360&....  Thank you Dave Story.   Do you think it would last well if half burried?  Keep the temperature reasonably, etc?

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on February 8, 2012 at 3:44pm

Rubbermaid has a 300 gallon tank for $219.00 at Ace. It can be ordered online for  a local store pickup. Just a thought.

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