James Stratton
Daleville, AL
United States
Profile Information:
- How did you find us?
- Search engine (Google)
- If you found us through a search engine, what search words were you using?
- aquaponics
- Are you an aquaponic gardener already?
- Yes
- If so, what type of system? (pick all that apply)
- flood and drain media
- How old is your system?
- 1 - 2 yrs
- What type of fish do you grow with? (select all that apply)
- Tilapia
- How big is your fish tank?
- 275 Gallon IBC tote
- Name a part of a fish (spam blocking question)
- fin
- Please tell us something else about yourself.
- Started aquaponic gardening as a means to better the enjoyment of gardening for grandkids. It got away from me, and now it is turning into a full-fledged hobby. I take pride in doing everything on the cheap, although, sometimes it backfires on me. For instance, bought a cheap heater off ebay for ten bucks. It lasted about ten days. I now have two quality heaters for the winter and a control unit that monitors temperature all the time. My tilapia just had their first batch of babies (that I know of) and my system has officially become more sustainable, fish-wish, anyway.
Sylvia Bernstein
LOL - better late than never, James. Thanks for buying my book. ;-)
Apr 27, 2013
Tray Rasco
Hi I am from Alabama and am very interested in starting my 1st system. I need all the info I can get. What problems you have ran into with our weather. Which fish you have found work the best. What local vendors you have found. Just all kinds on questions!
Jul 25, 2013
Brent Smothers
James,
I started with a small aquaponics setup which has been working for over 6 months and it's producing quite well. I'm in the process of using it just to plant seeds until they are about three inches and then will be transplanting them into my rail and dutch bucket system which I am constructing right now. I have about a dozen goldfish and two growbeds with bell siphons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni7G6aWIyog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p-53_pe9Io
The unusual cold weather we had, where it dropped into the single digits, killed all my aquaponic tomato plants which were approx 8-10 in tall and super healthy. The goldfish did fine which I am glad because, even with a heater, the water temperature dropped so low tilapia would have died. I read that goldfish will survivie as long as the water doesn't freeze. I have my aquaponics in a small greenhouse but no heater (lessoned learned). I haven't found any local vendors so most of my supplies for constructing came from Walmart (totes), Home Depot/Lowes (PVC), Amazon for pumps and airstones, Ebay, etc. I could go on and on but if you have any specific questions let me know.
Brent
Mar 12, 2014