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Comment by Kris Pauly on February 1, 2014 at 10:36am

http://youtu.be/MZUTMmwgkgc our happy tilapia jumping out of the water when we fed this morning.  

Comment by Bob Campbell on February 1, 2014 at 8:30am

Mine started breeding at about 4-5"

Comment by John Malone on January 30, 2014 at 12:33pm

Dr. George Brooks at the PlanPHX Overview and Update meeting

Click the link to see the YouTube video.

Comment by Jeff S on January 30, 2014 at 8:44am

I really don't know what size are breeders. The videos I've seen with a breeding tank they seem to be smaller.

Comment by Jim Troyer on January 30, 2014 at 2:23am

@ Jeff

10"- 12" is more like minimum breeding size.  I saved around 200 for future breeding and meals. They are 6" and larger now and there has been no activity with them.

BTW: I have fry if anyone needs more fish; Nile and Nile/blue hybrids

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather!

Comment by Jeff S on January 29, 2014 at 11:31am

Aaron, Not sure how big they were when they "started" breeding because I didn't know what to look for but from what I've seen they'll probably start breeding around 4-5". Mine are about 10-12". I only have 1 male and 4 female adults so it was easy to see when the females stopped eating and I separated her into a 30 gallon plastic tub with a filter and air pump. In a few days the little suckers were there. A few days later I moved the mother back to the tank. Don't want to bore you but if you want more details I'll be glad to share.

Comment by John Malone on January 29, 2014 at 9:49am

Seedling Experiments

On 1/18, I planted a variety of peppers, herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers on paper towels in net pots of lava rock and stuck them on a shelf inside.  The tomatoes and cucumbers popped up very quickly so I moved them under lights to grow out.  The other seeds I gave up as dead and promptly forgot about them.  This morning I remembered that they were there and thought I'd have a look.  Sprouts everywhere.  

You can see that the herbs should have been given more light several days ago and have gone 'leggy'.   They're probably not going to be much good, but all the peppers are just poking their heads up.  I moved the tray outside immediately so that they can get some sun.

On 1/20 I put pepper and tomato seeds on paper in plastic bags in a heated location.  Four days later they had germinated and I potted them out and placed them under T8 fluorescent lights in the garage.  I've been tending them daily and it's been fun to watch them grow.  They're all doing well, particularly the tomatoes.

Click here to see today's set of photos.

Comment by John Malone on January 29, 2014 at 9:22am

I'm certainly no expert when it comes to germinating seeds and growing under lights, so I won't say too much, but I've done a lot of reading.   If you don't intend to grow the plants to maturity under lights then a lot of people recommend standard T8 fluorescent lights, controlled with a timer for 12-16 hours a day.   The general consensus is that it's no real substitute for sunshine, but you can make do until the weather outside is warm enough to move the plants out there.

As far as cloning goes, I've found that the easiest way to do it is to put the cutting/clone under, or very near, the water inlet of the media grow bed, so that it is continually bathed in the stream of nutrient-rich aquaponic water.  I've had considerable success doing that.   

Comment by Kim Romen on January 29, 2014 at 8:55am

anyone seen a difference cloning directly into an AP system verses in a cloning "machine" that just contains water/no media?

Comment by Kim Romen on January 29, 2014 at 8:53am

@ John (and whoever might have something to add),

I got a 4 shelf cheepie seed starter "greenhouse" (not sure how long the plastic will last in AZ) at Harbor Freight.  they are on sale for $30 until the end of the mth and if u have a 25% off coupon on top of that, it's a deal!  I put some cinder blocks on each side of it and a couple of pavers on the bottom so it doesn't blow away.  (For twenty something dollars it's not that strong!).  i do everything in steps with my busy life.  i have yet to get the lights but they will be able to clip right onto the shelves which are metal grids.  What kind of lights did u buy?  i'm wondering if i might get a better deal at home depot or if i need to go to the hydro store.  mine will be outside so although it has the plastic, i am not counting on the plastic to last more than a season or 2 and so i want to do it right, but cheaply.  garden pool recommends t-5 high output flourescent lights. i think sylvia recommends the same.  i don't think those r the cheapies, though, especially if bought at the hydro store.

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