Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Anyone out there use heaters? I live in Colorado and my set up will be in my garage. Winter months get down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the garage. Looks like a pool or hot tub heater will run me upwards of $1500/year.

I've given up my dream of raising barramundi due to the climate, but it looks like even a bass/perch system needs warmer than 40 degree water.

Have any of you found a better solution for heating water in cold climates?

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Grow trout instead! I've seen my small system water get down to about 5C (41F) at its coldest, and trout can handle that ok.

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My small AP system: http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16345
Larger 2nd system: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24153
Solar powered Gunagulla Organic Garden
Fruit +Loomberah Wx
http://gunagulla.com

Will they spawn in a small tank? I'd like a self-replenishing supply.

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I don't know much about growing your own from scratch, but you would need a separate area for spawning and raising from eggs. Much easier to buy batches of fingerlings from a hatchery.

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My small AP system: http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=16345
Larger 2nd system: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24153
Solar powered Gunagulla Organic Garden
Fruit +Loomberah Wx
http://gunagulla.com

For your garage system, during the winter you could build a PVC hoop house type of frame and insulate from the cold in the garage. Use of a heater and maybe cover the tank could work BUT you want to be sure you have plenty of aeration and water splash to keep the O2 levels high.

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Manny Piceno

ap beginner.

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=28259

Bass and Yellow Perch will do fine at 40 F, they just won't be eating much if anything and you might lose a few but then again, you might not.

I just use a cheap pond heater to keep from freezing. I've grown bullhead, largemouth bass, bluegill in an outside take through a winter with no issues (although they don't eat when it's cold). I also have some yellow perch starting their first winter and they seem fine.

Far more cost-effective to use a fish that can survive the natural conditions than to try to engineer a solution to heat or cool the water to suit a foreign fish's needs.

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My system http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=24346