Comment

Comment by Stewart Finkel on October 15, 2011 at 5:39pm

Thanx Dave and TCLinx,

I have copies of permits.  I am out of pocket atm so expect to fle in 3 weeks.  Not in flood zone.  Great input.  I am impressed by this forum in general, the vids, feedback, photos, job boards.  Kudos to the folks that set it up.  I will be sure to post the projects as they develop.  I'm gonna try an odd crop along with the toms and lettuce that I don't think has been cultivated successfully - usually picked wild.  Ostrich ferns usually are for ornament rather than fiddleheads for market.    This will be fun.

Comment by TCLynx on October 15, 2011 at 5:12pm

What's left of a roll of heavy greenhouse plastic.  Probably not enough to cover a large structure but might be enough for some small season extension projects.  I think it might be as much as 28 feet wide and the roll on the tube is still heavy enough that I would recommend two people to lift it though one young and still immortal I'm sure would manage (and hide the pain tomorrow.)  $35.

Comment by David Hart on October 15, 2011 at 4:55pm

Hi Stewart, This isn't the right thread for this...I'll keep it short. 1st, Check to see if your in a 'flood zone'...if you are...no aquaculture permit.

As far as selling stuff...check in your county for programs like 'farm to fork' or 'farm to table' programs...you'll meet other farmers,ect.  Also check in with your county's extension office. They can be a great source for leads and info...

Comment by TCLynx on October 15, 2011 at 3:54pm

The aquaculture permit or certification I don't think is terribly difficult but I believe you will need to get your facility inspected to meet their requirements so they feel confident that the exotic species can't escape or be stolen and released easily.  Fencing and overflow/drainage protection and stuff.  Probably best to get the exact regulations and requirements direct from the proper authorities of course.

 

As to wholesalers, you will probably be far better off selling more directly at least with the produce.  For the fish, well I'm not sure what to recommend other than perhaps supplying a local restaurant.  Trying to sell wholesale is not easy since wholesale they want rather large quantity on schedule which is really hard to do when starting small.

 

That said, there are produce shops and stands around here that would probably be fairly willing to buy excess from me and in the Orlando area we also have the Home grown co-op that has at least a couple aquaponic farms selling through them.

 

good Luck

Comment by Stewart Finkel on October 15, 2011 at 3:36pm

About to start restricted species permitting process for Tilapia and Barra in Florida.  Anyone have a realistic timeline to get a permit?  Is there a minimum number that excludes me from a permit (ie. backyard system).  I ask since I plan a pilot project prior to initiating the big dig.  Also, anyone know wholesalers in the area that could take excess fish, veggies?  Tough questions but still a bit nervous about overspending, overestimating local sales etc. 

Comment by Kevin Woodall on October 15, 2011 at 9:36am

I have 6 month old Hawaiian Gold Tilapia that I got from Whitebrook Farms.  They average about 8 inches long.  I need to thin them out because I moved and don't have room for them all anymore.  I am in Rock Hill, SC, just outside of Charlotte, NC.

Comment by Windy Elliott on October 13, 2011 at 9:20am

I wish you were closer. I have a ton and I need to sell some to make room for my fry. But I am all the way up in DC and mine are not blue but gold hybrids.

Comment by Jon Baldwin on October 10, 2011 at 10:27am

Packing it in...

 

I had hoped to be retired by now, but looks like I'll be running my company for many years to come.  Yippee.  So my dream of fish farming will have to wait. 

 

I have 2 CLEAN food-grade IBC totes cut and ready for plumbing, current configuration is one 200gal tank, two 12 inch growbeds and one slightly taller sump.  The sump could just as easy be a growbed.  There are no holes in the sides or bottoms, no plumbing has been done so you can still put these in any configuration you like.

 

IBC totes and cages are cut to size.  both pallets are also included.  I have $120 of 1 inch, 2 inch, and 4 inch pvc pipe and many fittings - just set it up the way you want it and start plumbing.  Also have 10 or 12 "milk crate" totes to use to support the system if you like.

 

Whole set up ready for you to pick up in Aurora CO and ready to go.  $370 for totes, pipe, and fittings - call it $400 including the milk crates.  As pieces are cut, all will go easily into a small pickup.

 

Please email me at alt0182@gmail.com if you're interested (that's ZERO 182).  Can also put you in touch with a couple folks looking for homes for their overgrown pacu to help get your system started. 

Comment by Windy Elliott on October 6, 2011 at 11:42am

Tilapia Fingerlings - Orange T-Mossambica & T-Hornorum hybrids available in the DC Metro area. Unsexed. Local pick up only. Between 1 and 3 inches in size. I have fry and another mom brooding eggs, so I need to make some space. All reasonable offers considered.

Comment by David Hart on September 27, 2011 at 4:18pm

Thanks ladies. Some one asked about it....and they got me wondering too.

Comment by Sylvia Bernstein on September 27, 2011 at 4:16pm

David, I have.  Let it sit in distilled water for about 5 days...no pH change.

Comment by TCLynx on September 27, 2011 at 4:14pm

The expanded products need to be rinsed very well before use to avoid having the oxides raise the pH at first.  I know of a few people who have been using it long term with no ill pH effects.

Comment by David Hart on September 27, 2011 at 4:11pm

lol....I also was wondering what kind of rock .."local Bastrop rock"....was (?)

 

Has any one actually tried expanded shale in the 'vinergar test' ...?  Or let it sit in water for several days/weeks to see "if" it does change the PH ...?  Just wondering...?

Comment by TCLynx on September 27, 2011 at 2:10pm

That's what had me confused.  I was thinking that "local Bastrop rock" was some particular kind of media that I'd never heard of.

Expanded Shale explains a lot.

Comment by Martin Ridge on September 27, 2011 at 2:08pm

Sorry, I failed to notice I didn't mention this is Expanded Shale from TXI

Comment by TCLynx on September 27, 2011 at 1:47pm

Water flow through the smaller gravel will be slower and if it's gonna clog up, it happens quicker with smaller gravel.  There is less air space between the pebbles with smaller gravel.

 

Of course, far more important than size is what the gravel is made out of.  Check it in a glass of vinegar to make sure it doesn't fizz before you use it for Aquaponics.  Limestone will keep the pH too high for the plants to thrive.

Comment by Darlene Skellion on September 27, 2011 at 1:18pm

TC - you say 3/8" to 1/2" is on the smallish side. I have a pretty good pile of pea gravel about that size I used for my dog run. What are the drawbacks on using it instead of 1/2-3/4" size?

Comment by TCLynx on September 27, 2011 at 12:19pm

Yea, 1/2" to 3/4" is the preferred size if you can get it.  And more importantly, you want to make sure whatever type of rock it is, that it won't mess with your pH.  I would highly recommend testing to make sure you are not getting something with lots of limestone mixed in before you buy a truck load.

Comment by Martin Ridge on September 27, 2011 at 12:14pm

Bastrop, Texas is a city near Austin, Texas. Should we be looking for 1/2" to 3/4" pricing instead.?

Comment by TCLynx on September 27, 2011 at 12:05pm

What is Bastrop?  3/8"-1/2" range is on the smallish size.

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