backyard tilapia fish farm update january 6, 2012

[Sorren11]

What temp is too hot / wondering if my water here in indiana in a 1300 gallon tank is going to be too warm this summer?

[Starrwulf7]

one recommendation i would make is to insulate 8-) a small hoop greenhouse could have slowed down the cooling, as well as an insulating blanket around the tank. large pieces of styrofoam or closed cell insulation would have helped, too. I have yet to see any vid where the tanks are even partially insulated. its a good idea even on inside systems imho. its what i plan on doing when i build mine this year.

[Starrwulf7]

one vid i watched warned even if the fish survive the cold night, they can still die days later from damage to the gills. the cold that does not kill them gives them o2 deprivation and injures the gills. if they are still alive after a week of warmth they will do ok.

[billavara]

Mike, many thank you's for the update on the fishies in winter - though they were hiding. I have watched your videos so many times, and learned so much from you, and I LOVE the swimming pool idea. May I ask what your filter tank is standing on?

[mike73miller]

@billavara there are some plastic mats on the floor of the pool, on the mats are 4 cinder blocks, the kind used in the construction of buildings.

[SelenianDawn]

Its good to see the high points and the low points on a project like this. Much better than the polished shows that make everything look too easy or quick then you get discouraged by your own results.

[peppernickelly]

It does seem like they need some heat. I don't know how long it takes those fish to become big enough to eat but you might consider it if they won't make it through the winter. Still awesome by the way. Spring is around the corner, maybe you can setup aquaponics to grow some veges and fish