Hello. We have just set up a small grow bed attached to our pond. We've had the pond for years now and decided to see if we could make it work for us a bit, plus maybe keep the algae down naturally. Our system is a flood and drain system. Our pond is aprox. 400 gal pond with 13 koi/gold fish we have one pump going to our waterfall and filter system that has always been there and now we have added a second pump to our grow box filled with gravel and at the moment one lonely tomato plant. We have space to add obviously but we are testing it at the moment. My thought is I'm wondering about slowly reducing my koi and adding an edible fish. Is tillapia our only choice out here? It's not our favorite fish although we will eat it. Also, what would we do for a food for a fish we are planning on eating. As well as the question of if we are to switch to a eating fish do we have to get rid of all the koi or could they share space? I have a couple of favorites I'd hate to get rid of. So far we are happy with the setup. We shall see how it does in the summer heat.
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Chris & I are both on the other site along with a lot of other starter-uppers.
As for your fish...Tilapia are the edible fish of choice here in AZ because they can handle our adverse conditions. BUT, they do need heat in the winter and they can't handle water much above 95. Also, they, and your edible plants, will do best with a neutral or slightly below neutral PH (neutral being 7.0). These are things to consider before worrying about replacing your koi, because you have to know if your pond will even sustain tilapia well enough. Tilapia can be very aggressive. Smaller ones do well with koi/goldfish if the carp are large enough, but large tilapia can give them grief.
You can also look into catfish; I think they live well with koi. They don't grow as quickly as tilapia and need more space, so you'd get less meat.
Feeding tilapia is pretty easy. They are primarily vegetarians, and will eat some of your algae. They also do well on catfish food that you can buy (or order in) at feed stores. Some companies, like Purina, make omnivore food for tilapia.
Thanks for the info. I doubt I'll do Tilapia sicne they can't handle the cold. I really don't want to have to heat my pond. We looked into it once and had an impossible time of it. Guess I'll just keep my koi... don't think I'll try eating them though.
I'd love to hear how you work out the design of your system. It sounds intriguing.
Hi there! There is a very 'active' AZ aquaponics group you might be interested in.
Start at the main website:
http://www.theaquaponicsource.com
Click 'Participate', then 'Groups'...the Arizona Aquaponics group is the first listing. There are groups for types of systems, types of fish, types of media, you name it practically and there is a group, but the Arizona group is 'desert' growing specific. Most of us are in the 'learning' mode but there are some experts in the group too.
Chris George
3rdAcreFarm/Scottsdale
:)
Aquaponics Community:
http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/arizona-aquaponics?commentId=4...