Just want to thank you and Richard for pointing me in the right direction as to "hybrid" systems...seems to be working out for bunch of folks. I've been reading bunches and bunches of discussions on the subject and its helped ALOT. I've just about got all the details for the compost/rocket mass heater system worked out for the greenhouse and feel pretty confident about everything working out :) Thanks again. It sure feels nice for us who are just starting our journey to have such a community of people sharing their experiences and knowledge. Thanks again :)

Thanks for the welcome!  My husband and I are just "getting our feet wet" with aquaponics, though it has been an interest for a while.  We hope to actually build at least a small system, which, if successful can then be expanded in the future.  I just read your introductory "bio" on this site.  Sounds as if you've lots of experience to share.  I wonder if you've tried to raise prawns at some point?  Or, if not, what are the cons.  Looking forward to learning more!

I suppose I probably seem pretty down on tilapia because so many people seem to think they are the only possible fish for aquaponics so I'm the devil's advocate to let people know that there are native fish that can be grown just fine in aquaponics.

And many of those fish won't require heating just to keep them alive let alone growing.

Some of them can grow just as fast if not faster than tilapia especially in cooler water.  Some of them can be quite hardy an easy to grow.

And if you don't have some religious reasons against catfish, it can be really great to clean only one fish to feed the entire family rather than having to clean half a dozen small tilapia to accomplish the task.  (Truth is to me, the catfish and tilapia out of our aquaponics tasted basically the same.)

Hey there.  Some time has gone by and we have some updates.  We do indeed sell the fingerlings now on a pick up yourself basis.  Aquasafra, as you probably know by now, is history.  Just give a call to Morning Star Fishermen or contact us through our website.  Also, I don't know why TC seems so down on Tilapia.  Keep your water warm (yes, it can be done in winter) feed them properly, watch your PH and O2 and you'll have a nice fish to eat.  People seem to generally prefer tilapia to catfish - what do you think the fish sandwiches at McDonalds and Burger King are made from?

I thought I would start with raft beds.  I wasn't sure if I needed both or if the raft method was sufficient.

I plan to put some plants in pote with gravel in the future.  But right now my focus is on just getting it started

TC....More info about zeri at www.zeri.org check out the case studies, they may be interesting to you.

Thanks!

Any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Roger

cheers TCL

and thank you so very much