Swimming Pool System

[Pat James]

I have finally got around to start to work building my AP system. I bought two 55 gal barrels and eight 275 gal IBC totes a few weeks ago and then the weather got cold and wet- progress stalled. At least we have had a few days

The system I now plan to build is quite a bit different than the one I originally planned. That is due to the help and advice of some of the people here.. Thank you.

I will buy the piping itself at one of the big box stores, but I can save a bundle by buying the fittings online.

Today I will begin cutting the IBC's.

[Pat James]

We have had some very cold weather once the rain went through.  It was 30 degrees this morning with ice all over the patio. My pool skimmer was full of fish but all but 2 were still alive. I have been throwing the cast net trying to harvest some fish before I lose too many. My hands get numb fast..(I have Renaud's) so I have been taking breaks to come inside and warm them.

Last throw netted 2 large catfish and it took a while to free them from the net. I came very close to bringing them inside too..

Going to clean the fish in the kitchen

[Jim Troyer]

Wow!  Nice catfish!  I find that when catching tilapia is it best to use a slow net, they seem to ignore it when they are not spooked by the fast motion.  Another method is to just let the net rest on the bottom until they swim over it, then haul it in. 

BTW:  you are a lucky guy, fishing in the backyard!   

Sounds like you should have a fishing derby...

[Pat James]

Jim, The vacation was great. Went on a cruise via Norwegian Cruise Lines out of New Orleans. A bunch of us met on "cruise critic"  and then really got to know each other on facebook. ( I joined FB for that reason). Knowing a bunch of crazy people before getting on a ship with them really made the experience fun. The wife and I had been on many cruises , but this one one of the best in that regard.

The day after I got back I tried to harvest some of my bigger tilapia with a cast net. Only caught small ones. I then took a cane rod (well, an expandable 'ugly stick' but using the cane pole method of fishing) and tried to harvest some by hook baited with worms. NO go. Caught a bunch of catfish though. I kept 6 of the biggest and they dressed out to almost 4 pounds of good meat. I cooked and ate 2 of them that night and froze the rest.

[Jim Troyer]

How was the vacay?

[Pat James]

Got home a few hours ago. First thing I checked was the AP system... Well, second, but the dogs met me at the door so i knew they were ok.

We had a freeze while I was gone so some of the plants were dead. Basil, sweet potato for sure. I'll check in more detail tomorrow as I remove the dead plants. Most of the plants now are cool weather crops so they are doing fine. 

I had a single tilapia dead in the pool skimmer. I'm thinking that any of the small ones that may have died or were terribly stressed have become catfish food. I cleaned out the skimmer- it was packed full. I do know I need to see why the water flow has been reduced. probably just a series of crap build ups in the line that will be easy to clear.

The crays in the inside tank are doing ok. No food available for them so I fed them right away and they got active  eating. I sure did not want to have to buy another group of them.

Jim, I have considered several options as regards the cold weather. I'm not as concerned with my growbeds as I can switch crops to cold weather types. My main concern is the fish. I bought 50 tilapia last spring and they are just now getting big enough to harvest. not as fillets, but as whole fish (what we call panfish down here).... like bream. My concern are the large numbers of  their small (under 5 inch) progeny, I was hoping to keep many of them alive.

[Jim Troyer]

Here's something to ponder Pat:

How about running a 1-1/2" line to your green house and moving your grow bed in there?  I currently pipe my water about 30" to the grow bed since I didn't want it next to the pond on the red brick patio.  I eventually settled on a 4" return line and have had no issues since enlarging from two 1-1/2" returns.

I have a grow bed out over one of my Jacuzzis in the second system and it is a real pain to harvest fish or veggies or move the fish.  Yes, it is space efficient and I would probably do it again but it is hard to work with just the same.

Enjoy those Mojitos! 

Jim

[Pat James]

 I am going on a week's vacation and am more than a little nervous about leaving my fish, not to mention the marbled crayfish I just got or the tiny little sprouts that I have just got growing. I am leaving all this in the hands of my stepson who has, so far only kept a dog.  And if you consider the dog is a big pitbull that could tear down the pantry door to get to food if he felt underfed, that is no big stretch.

I have, however, had the stepson over to give him an orientation of how the system is designed and what to watch out for. I especially went over the fact that underfeeding the fish is far better than over-feeding. The exception are the crays that may cannibalize if they get hungry, but if he sticks to using algae from the regular system, I do not think that will be a problem.

I will repeat my instructions and concerns to him via phone before the ship departs. I just hope my worrying does not interfere with my enjoyment of a well-earned vacation.

I'm hoping that watching enough bikini clad young women on the beaches plus all the alcohol will keep me distracted enough...

[Jim Fisk]

A deck built out over the shallow end that could hold the gbs and compress the entire system to the pool area might help. Just a thought. Some inert supports in the water could make that doable. Wish I were closer so we could give each other a hand. I am fascinated with the pool concept. It holds many intriguing possibilities especially after seeing that video.

[Pat James]

Oh yeah,i thought of several alternatives to what I have now. One was dropping the level of the water and using the shallow end as a dry area. Problem with that was making the several hundred dollar pump system already in place work. That works best as is.

Now Jim's idea of using a  hoop greenhouse system over the pool itself is one of the best adaptations to my current situation.  I could use the plastic to retain heat during the cold months and during the heat of summer,  I could use shade cloth on the same frame  (rolling up the sides to allow air flow). Plus that would keep the algae under control.

I have a small greenhouse ( 10 X 12) but it is some 30 ft or better from the AP system. This year it is not even in use as I am using the AP system for those plants I had in the gh before....

[Jim Fisk]

I agree and I think Pat is perhaps rethinking that as well. A gh is a blast and ours is like a little bit of heaven on a cold sunny day. It also allows for more control over rain, temps, pests, etc.

Off to work.