Our tilapia, week 22 (with maybe 11 to go?)

I think it's difficult to gauge growth by video at this point, in part because the tilapia are doing as much widening as lengthening, but it has been a while since I posted an update (busy farm girl!) so here they are.

There are a few fish that are nine-ish inches, also a few that are eight, but the bulk of them are now 6 or 7 inches long. And there are three or four that are around five inches long. Obviously enough, the largest ones are those we'll net for fish share holders and the smaller ones are the ones we'll continue to grow for ourselves.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• tilapia farm
• fish farming
• Colorado fish farming
• responsible fish farming
• aquaponics
• aquapon
• aquaculture
• tilapia for sale

[ScalerWave]

Nice setup ! I'm trying to find a local fishery here in MD, and get mine started.

[SmaSelf]

@ScalerWave Thanks! We are quite happy with it. This system lets us raise our own, and sell off a few plate-sized fish to shareholders, as well as extra fry, fingerlings and breeders. It is has been an absolutely perfect addition to our sustainability endeavors. And we thoroughly enjoy watching these beautiful fish.

Good luck with your system!

[berticoellibre]

how mush cost 

[SmaSelf]

@berticoellibre

Sorry for the delay in reply: I figure we have spent about $1,900 US so far in this endeavor. The grow-out tank (see in all these videos) normally retails for over $3,400, but we found this one online, used (or pre-owed, actually, as the fellow never even set it up) for $500. That expenditures figure includes water and electricity as well as the separate 55 gallon breeder tank that we keep inside the house. And the nets, fish, feed, test equip tank cover & insulation all that.

[SmaSelf]

Sorry, ran out of characters. OK: FUN! I hope your fish grow well and that you are soon breeding and selling fingerlings. (As well as enjoying fabulous fish dinners)

We love the window, too. It absolutely helps see what's happening in the tank.

Back to the insulating blanket: as with all insulation the benefits are reaped in the long term. So we'll get our $70 (including the cover) back in time.

[SmaSelf]

Oh, sorry if I overlooked your question. Yes, the insulating blanket has helped, though it is difficult to quantify, as we have this tank in the passive solar greenhouse where during summer months air temps do not dip below 65 (versus low 40s in the spring). The best comparison will come next spring when we move the operation back out here (we'll keep a breeder tank in the house for winter), but grow-out tank operation costs were as much as $30 a mo less this summer than they were in spring.

[lukesXlilXangel]

This looks awesome and I am excited to see your growth. I just got mine not nearly as many only about 20 pure blues to start of a colony. I am looking to convert our farm. Something for me and the kids to manage. I like the insulating blanket has it helped you never said. We were thinking of using some old hot tubs as they are already heated and insulated. Love your side window in the tank. That is one problem of a pond or tank you can not "see" the fish you have to net them to look.