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Comment by Matt Miskinnis on October 26, 2013 at 11:15pm

also here are some pics of my jalapenos I picked today (going to pickle them)

Comment by Matt Miskinnis on October 26, 2013 at 11:13pm

I posted this on the facebook group, wanted to post it here too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhcSTGK_51g

Comment by Sunny Oettel on October 26, 2013 at 12:11am

Hey Jim, Hi!  You have some very resourceful ideas-like using those hay bales.  Great idea!  You seem to really know how to use things that you already have on hand.  I'm wondering about enclosing the south garden (on the side of the house) in a greenhouse made out of  plastic sheets.  I'm hoping we can figure out the solar hose setup without making either hot fish soup or Fishie sickles :-)

Comment by Sunny Oettel on October 25, 2013 at 11:56pm

Thank you, Robert, for your ideas.  I'd really like to see what that looks like, and about ordering information.  Sounds like you've been at this a while.  I'm getting increasingly attached to my fish, and would not like them to die.

Comment by Scott Bloom on October 25, 2013 at 4:08pm

A friend asked what the going rate is on tilapia fingerlings now?

Comment by Jim Troyer on October 25, 2013 at 12:35am

Hi Sunny

Sounds like the fish are doing well...

I use a solar water heater fashioned from 1/2" drip irrigation pipe.  Yes, you should shut your pumps off from late afternoon until mid morning during the dead of winter.

Your garden system should be fine as it is next to the house and gets sun all day.  I would be concerned about the system under the pole barn.  Covering up the in-ground totes/FT with the hay you have around would probably be enough since the ground will keep the water temp fairly well regulated, especially if you had the solar assist.  You will want to maintain 55f or above, mid 60s for food production and 70s for fish growth; 49/50f is deadly.

Did you guys get those grow beds installed?

You are welcomed to call me if want to discuss the solar heater design I use.

Jim

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on October 24, 2013 at 12:33pm

I don'n normally share pages like this but this one does provide important info on when you need to comment on new regulations that will affect small farmers.

http://farmandranchfreedom.org/alert-fda-comments-food-safety-regul...

Comment by Robert Rowe on October 24, 2013 at 10:36am

Sunny

I have a geodaisic dome over my FT. 10 Ft Diameter insulated with R13 Fiberglass bats. If I was doing it from scratch I would make it 12 Ft Diameter.

I held it to 10 Ft to keep the size under 100 square Ft which as I understand doesn't require a building permit.

I have an 8 Ft (700 Gal )Tank and would be more practical with a 24In  clearance all the way around.

If you need ordering info let me know.

Comment by Sunny Oettel on October 24, 2013 at 9:04am

I'm thinking about building a greenhouse around it, and insulating the totes.  Just curious what others are doing.

Comment by Sunny Oettel on October 24, 2013 at 9:02am

Thank you Matt, for your help. The prob is, the grow beds that the water is continually circulating through. Here it can get down to 27 degrees because we are out in the country.  I've heard of turning off the system at night, but there are a few times in the winter when the cold is continuous for a few days. I just didn't want to have to reinvent the wheel and maybe kill the fish in the process.

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