Comment

Comment by John Cubit on August 29, 2013 at 12:14pm

Looking to find out how any of you deal with root tangles.  I have a trough setup that runs constant flow.  It is used to produce chard, and it does it well.  We have been harvesting a bunch a week since February.  The trough holds 20 plants and continues to regrow.  The problem I am getting is the roots are all tangled and clumped preventing the net pots from being removed without cutting all the plant roots off at the bottom of the pot, of course the plant then dies shortly after.

Any suggestions on how to control the roots, without restricting the water flow but allow pots to be pulled for, inspection, trough cleaning etc?

Comment by LogicalHydro on August 25, 2013 at 10:20pm

Ashley, I think you are poking at more humane treatment of an intended "food" animal. Same thing with space requirements for livestock. It is what it is, whatever you think is ethical. A smaller area could lead to a less tasty fish because it is fat from not swimming and stressed from its limited space. But in the end it's your call.

Comment by Harold Sukhbir on August 25, 2013 at 10:15pm

Hi Ashley,

I had a system with a 55 gal blue barrel on its side. I raised 6 Tilapia to approximately 3lb size each. They enjoyed their life in that tank, until the fated day..

Comment by Ashley Taylor on August 25, 2013 at 9:07pm

I never said I was concerned. I just want to have the numbers. "rated for 50 gallons" means nothing. I want to know the minimum tank length for a fish like tilapia or perch. There are reasons I can't use a 55-gallon or I wouldn't even be asking. I just want to know the answer to my question.

Comment by Leo White Bear on August 25, 2013 at 7:57pm

If you are concerned, don't use it.  If you feel that you needa different tank you might want to look on Ebay for a 55-gallon fish tank that is longet than it is wide and tall.  I recently purchased a 55-gallon aquarium, stand and another 20-gallon aquarium in a yard sale for $50.00.  I will be using it to house my bullheads and Yellow perch indoors this winter (Central Wisconsin gets awfully cold in the winter) until my heated barn system is finished.  You gotta do what you gotta do and look for a better tank.

Comment by Ashley Taylor on August 25, 2013 at 4:24pm

Well I understand the gallons, but I'm worried about tank size. I've been doing saltwater fish for awhile and while a fish might be rated for a 125 gallon system, it needs an 8 foot long tank to be healthy because it is an active fish. I mean I could have a 50 gallon system that is tall, but only 12" wide which I think we can all agree would be unsuitable for a fish that gets to be 14" long. That is my concern mostly. That my tank of little over two feet isn't long enough.

Comment by Leo White Bear on August 25, 2013 at 4:15pm

Ashley-

According to Ms. Burnstien referance to how much water is needed at minimum to raise fish to harvest size (plate size) is 50-gallons - see pg 76 of Silvia Bernsteins book "Aquaponic Gardening - a Step-by-step guide to raising vegetables and fish together".  So according to "the book" you should be OK

 

Comment by michael heery on August 25, 2013 at 3:54pm

HI  i forward lots of this to kenya and uganda , but now i think i am only confusing the people there as its getting so complex,,,cheers

Comment by Ashley Taylor on August 25, 2013 at 2:44pm

I am designing a small indoor aquaponics system and I was wondering about minimum tank size for fish. I am planning either tilapia or perch, but most of the information I've found involves gallons. The system would be  about 58 gallons, but the dimensions would be 27.5" cube that is 18" tall. Is this big enough for growing fish that we intend to eat? I'm planning on a bigger system for our outdoor pond, but that won't be getting done before the winter and I want leafy green/herbs through the winter.

Comment by Carolyn Quinones on August 9, 2013 at 3:59pm

We are just getting started with an eb & flow system. Can any of the members, in the deep South, share with me the easiest to grow vegetables for the fall/ winter? We are in Florida, USA

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