Aquaponic Gardening

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I have the basic parts for an aquaponic system. I live in San Bernardino, what type of gravel do I need, and where can I get it? Where can I get Tilapia, or Bluegill, or whatever kind of fish is allowed in California for my small pond?

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I would highly recommend that you use Hydroton as it is much easier to work with unless you have special situations that merit gravel... For that 3/4" gravel will work well.  My system I have one with Hydroton and one with gravel. 

You can pick it up at Lowe's or Home Depot, which is about $2.59 per bag. But if you hit up a cement or other mulch center, they will probably have a better price on that gravel.  Hydroton will run you about $26-28 per 50 l.  Consider looking into craigslist.org

From CL you should also be able to find the Tilapia.  btw, how small is small?

3/4 gravel from any landscape supply, my local supply charges $1 per 5 gal bucket of rinsed, granite drainrock. DFG rules are very different for stocking ponds than aquaria. Technically, only koi and goldfish may be stocked in a pond without a permit, but any fish not on the prohibited list may be stocked in a closed loop recirculating system for hobby purposes. Google "manual 671" for prohibited list.

My pond is 8'x4'x28"

Kenny said:

I would highly recommend that you use Hydroton as it is much easier to work with unless you have special situations that merit gravel... For that 3/4" gravel will work well.  My system I have one with Hydroton and one with gravel. 

You can pick it up at Lowe's or Home Depot, which is about $2.59 per bag. But if you hit up a cement or other mulch center, they will probably have a better price on that gravel.  Hydroton will run you about $26-28 per 50 l.  Consider looking into craigslist.org

From CL you should also be able to find the Tilapia.  btw, how small is small?

Tom

I just put my gravel into my grow beds last week.  After testing 12 different kinds of rock and lava stones...  the El Centro river rock 3/4" size kept the PH stable the best.  I live up in Hesperia, I got my rick at Affordable Rock up in Hesperia for $65 a scoop.  It took 3 scoops for $210 grand total BUT I PICKED IT UP, so if you have it delivered it's more cost.  With those 3 scoops I filled 4 IBC totes at 12" deep (Totes are like 3.5'x4' square). And have about 3 wheelbarrows full left over.

I would have loved the Hydroton, but it calced out at like 700-800 dollars or something like that, so I researched the rock.  If you need the exact name of the river rock...just let me know.

 

Bradly

 

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