Comment

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on January 26, 2012 at 11:51am

Holly, the top is level with the ground, so it's fully sunken; about 4 feet, I believe. It kept the water temperatures an even 85 through the entire summer (that's inside a greenhouse where the temps remained below 100 degrees). Our above-ground tank varied up to 8 degrees from that. Now that it's winter we're controlling the temperature with heaters, but our in-ground is using one heater and our 200gal above ground tank is using two.

Dave, that sounds SO interesting! We typically only get one play weekend/month and we're planning a 4 wheel trip to the Coke Ovens by Florence in Feb. Maybe we can do both...

Comment by Holly Curtis on January 26, 2012 at 10:25am

Sheri - How deep in the ground is your in ground 300 gal?  Does being in ground help stabilize the temp?  

Kent - What an interesting idea. Thank you for the idea. 

Dave - were the solar panels expensive for the solar green house?  Where do I get info about the aquaponics show?

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 26, 2012 at 8:45am

looks like we will have the Tucson tour on Feb. 11.

I have been involved with the construction of an off the grid solar greenhouse at UA.

Those who attend the aquaponic show here and are interested, I will show you the solar greenhouse.. There is also a control greenhouse (you know you need a control in education) next to the solar for a comparison. the control will use the same pumps and fans as the solar, but wired into the grid. 

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on January 26, 2012 at 8:16am

We've been reading up on building solar panels because I want the garden off the grid to protect from power outages, but pipe might be a good companion to that. If it keeps 80 gal above 70 degrees, it might come close to that for our in-ground 300 gal. Right now we only need one 200 w for that tank.

We still need solar for pumps, supplemental heat, swamp cooler, & lighting.

Comment by Maynhia Stott on January 26, 2012 at 7:40am

Thanks Ken, I should of thought about that too. My father in law uses the same thing to heat his pool. 

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 26, 2012 at 5:11am

When I move, I hope to use solar. Thank you for sharing,

Comment by Kent Biswanger on January 26, 2012 at 1:00am

I made a solar heater with 100 feet of black pipe, a pump and timer. I circulate water through pipe when the sun is up and shut it down at night. Keeping my 70 to 80 gallons above 70 degrees with a much lower operational cost. Insulation is a must.

Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on January 25, 2012 at 8:37pm

You need heaters, Holly. Get them online for the best prices.

And as Dave said, it takes a while for them to grow to harvest size-about a year--unless you have all males and fully controlled conditions. They won't grow fast enough for a fall harvest unless you're OK with small meals.

We keep ours insulated with sheets of foam all year and cover them in the cold with foam as well. We keep ours at 70 or above; others keep theirs around 80+.

Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on January 25, 2012 at 5:00pm

1. No. I use one 400 watt heater per 100 gal tank size. 150 gal 2 heaters.. Now I have a 100 gal tank outside of my greenhouse, but insulated. I keep two heaters in that tank. 3 heaters in my 300 gal tank..

2. harvest fish? I started with fingerlings on may 16.. I have not harvested one fish.

3. I use insulation on the tops of all of my fish tanks. I open them a little in the morning and close them at night. the outside tank also has insulation around the sides.

Comment by Holly Curtis on January 25, 2012 at 4:48pm

Keeping out door Tilapia warm in winter in Phoenix.

Hi Everyone,

We are looking at buidling IBC ponds and I am wondering how to keep the Tilapia warm enough in the winter. Here are some questions:

1. Do you find using heaters cost prohibitive? 

2. Do you harvest in fall and restock in Spring? 

3. Will insultating the tank and covering it with clear plastic do the job during our coldest days?

Other thoughts on this?

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