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Can you grow trout in a 150 gallon tank?

I'm relatively new to aquaponics and would appreciate any suggestions or feedback on the feasibility of growing trout indoors in a relatively small 150 gallon stock tank. I was thinking I could stock 15 or 20 6-8" rainbow trout from a local hatchery.

I am currently running a setup with the goldfish from our small backyard pond, but I'd like to grow some fish we can eat. The temperature in the basement should keep the water cool enough for trout. I figured I could keep the water moving with a pump and provide plenty of aeration, and cycle it fishless. Is there any reason this wouldn't work?

Tom

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Permalink Reply by matthew ferrell on February 13, 2012 at 10:17am

I have found ti difficult to get my feed trained fish to eat insects. You really can not go wrong with the commercial diet.

Permalink Reply by RupertofOZ on February 13, 2012 at 10:53am

Trout shouldn't have a problem eating insects... even if pellet fed...

I could hear mine at night snatching anything that landed on the water...

Permalink Reply by matthew ferrell on February 13, 2012 at 11:11am

I have had them turn their noses to worms, stone flies, cicadas, moths, and even caddis flies. I thought it was bizarre. We also had difficultly getting them to bight baited hooks, but put on a pellet and watch out.

Permalink Reply by RupertofOZ on February 13, 2012 at 11:26am

Sounds strange Matthew... it's basically an instinctive behaviour in trout...

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on February 13, 2012 at 11:37am

Is there an ideal pH range for trout and are they very sensitive to pH fluctuations?

Permalink Reply by matthew ferrell on February 13, 2012 at 12:17pm

I keep the pH at around 7 because my water source is naturally buffered there.

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/docs/frr/frr130/frr130.pdf

Looks like they can handle some low pHs. Much research has been done due to acid rain concerns.

Big pH flucuations should no be a problem with an indoor system. Especially if buffered well.

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on February 13, 2012 at 9:38pm

Thanks for the link. That was a very interesting paper, although it covered low pH more than high pH. We have fairly hard water so I'll probably want to fill with mostly RO water to keep the pH down.

Permalink Reply by matthew ferrell on February 14, 2012 at 7:24am

I saw numbers as high as 9. As far as I know, with a protected indoor system you will not have swings. RO is fine, but once your system is cycled topping of with your hard water might not be that bad. Alkalinity will be consumed with nitrification.

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on February 14, 2012 at 9:38am

The other (goldfish) tank has had pretty stable pH numbers, but around 8. That was filled before we got the RO filter. I'll play with the mixture before I get the fish and see how it goes. Thanks again.

And I'm a little envious of your setup there, although the 20,000+ gallons of fish tank and the corresponding grow beds is way out of my league right now. I'll be satisfied if I can put a dozen fish and some pea pods and collard greens on the table.

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on April 7, 2012 at 6:19pm

Looks like my attempt to cycle without fish is finally making progress. I dosed the water with ammonia and then waited very impatiently for the nitrogen cycle to kick in. Seems like it is finally making progress after a couple weeks. I knew going in the cold water would slow things down, but I'm eager to get some trout in the tank. I hate patiently waiting.

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on April 9, 2012 at 8:34pm

I called the local trout supplier. Their pH is right around 8, same as mine, and the water temp isn't much different. Couple more weeks of cycling and starting plants and I'll be ready for the fish.

Permalink Reply by Tom OBrien on May 13, 2012 at 7:32pm

Got the trout in the tanks, but keeping them in has been more of a challenge than I thought. I had planned to put a net over the tank, but didn't get it in place before I got the fish. They are a jumpy bunch and they seem to be really good at finding the holes in the cover. I lost a couple before we got the covering on and then a few more found the holes around the plumbing. They were tasty, but I would have liked them to be a little bigger.