Backyard fish farms

[orchardhead]

I am currently exploring the potential of setting up an aquaculture system in our garden. It would need to be a recirculating system as we have no stream or spring.

If anyone has experience of any type of garden based aquaculture systems it would be helpful to hear of it.

Currently I am looking at utilizing translucent 1000litre IBCs....for a picture of these see my blog at www.ediblelandscape.co.uk

If anyone knows of a source of fully transparent containers that would be very exciting.

Thanks,

Steve

[9ball]

Hi Steve,

Sorry don't have any experience other than what I've read in John Seymour's book. Sounds really interesting though - what are you thinking of farming in them?
Please keep us posted with your progress!

[orchardhead]

Hi Tom,

At the moment I'm in open research mode so not decided for sure what form it will take.

Tilapia is a contender but the pond would need to be inside a polly tunnel or glass house (possibly using double glazed oddments).

The living machine approach developed by the New Alchemy Institute in the USA would be used with these fish. The productivity of these aquacultures is based on algae hense the translucent or transparent containers.

By contrast an open air pond stocked with carp might be another approach.

I shall keep you posted.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Yup quite a bit of stuff about fish farmin in the New Alchemy mags - might well also be worth having a look at the Mother Earth Magizines - can get issues and articles off their site if you pay . . . may or maynot be worth it but could be another potential resource ;-)

[Wombat]

This guy is interesting, I would like to get his book and CD when I can raise the cash!

Nev

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/index.htm

[orchardhead]

Thanks Jed and Nev for the resources.

Have just checked out the aquaponics site and registered. It looks like a wealth of practical experience is available there.

Thanks again,

steve