Fingerlings for Aquaponics

For trout, I'd check with a provincial MNR first. They usually have hatchery's and are willing to supply. Tilapia I'm not sure about, but said hatchery may know of a supplier as well.

Fascinating , what containers are people using for tanks ? I had thought this would work indoors in those aluminum caged tanks I think they are 250 gallons each. With the plethora of free hot tubs available on craigslist, I had considered using a slope where gravity could assist with a series of cascading ponds for outdoors . My thoughts on it are sort of pie in the sky at the moment

Great article Siberios.
It does raise some important things to consider when farming fish, particularly diet, since what you put into the fish will end up in you.

You can go with a commercial feed which is already formulated for optimal health and growth and there are organic options available as well.
Or do you try to go closed loop system, by cultivating your own Black Soldier Fly larvae, Redworms, Duckweed, etc...

You can also raise companion species, such as shrimp in tanks downstream, that can be consumed as well as used for fish feed if overcrowding occurs.
Many people overlook companion planting as well, that can greatly improve your Aquaponics success, both in stock health and plant production.
In most companion planting situations the concern is the nutrient requirements of each plant, but since nutrient delivery is generally equal in Aquaponis, that aspect is not as applicable.
Finding plants that deter pests, as well as plants that attract beneficial bugs, allows you to keep other pest control methods out of your plants, stock, and water.
Ladybugs are one of the most common beneficial bugs, while their food, aphids, white flies, and spider mites tend to be common pests.

Here is a great article regarding mush of this.
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/gardening/a/Companion-Plants.htm

I am fortunate to live in an area that within walking distance,(albeit 10 km radius) I have 4 lakes I could fish in for most common fish we like to eat. I have also fished from the commercial ponds where trout were stocked. Although fun to catch, they tasted like duckweed and were not palatable to eat.
I'd suggest that before going full tilt into raising fish that a small set-up be tested first to make sure this is what you want to eat. Even ugly fish taste good from clean water! Think carp or catfish rather than trout. Think the species that currently has a very high or no limit. These guys repopulate quickly and when it comes to being hungry... "size doesn't matter"
Whitefish, perch, ling (burbot) rock bass, chub, smelt, suckers, even minnows that dozens can be trapped without having to sit there and waste time waiting for a bite.
I have a friend that simply has a 100 gallon cattle tank that he puts the fish in he catches that aren't slated for the dinner table that night. Simple set-up, kept cold and is a basic aquarium deal but on a larger scale! Not exactly on the up and up but he also isn't keeping any more than what he'd be entitled in the freezer at the moment. As a test situation it is working well for him and could be expanded pretty quickly as required.

Duffmanprepper has a virtual Aquaponics library. Thanks Duffy!
I'm about three weeks away from finishing the plumbing and adding the fish for my aquaponics system. There is a lot to get ready so that all systems are a go.
I will be using Tilapia and Rainbow Trout so the water for each has to be a separate system because they require different temperature ranges. This means I plan on having a set of tanks for the water from the plants to go into before it goes back to the fish tanks. This way I can get the temperature correct before it hits the fish.
I plan on setting up a cooling system using my window air conditioner. I'm going to use a small auto radiator which will sit in front of the air conditioner then be plumbed to the trout tank. This way when I need to cool the water in the tank I just run it through the radiator. I will also work on a way to run some kind of automated temperature sensor, but that will wait until I get the whole system running.
The room I'm using has 4 North facing windows that open so I will be able to control the temperature and humidity year round. Along with the air conditioner I have a pellet stove in the next room. I am installing a bathroom exhaust fan in the ceiling as well and I can run plumbing to the outside easily so I'm going to try linking to plants outside. As it stands right now I can keep the room at 70 degrees ferinheight year round. I can go higher or lower without too much trouble.
The outside wall is where I am going to put some horizontal 4" PVC planters and deeper beds for potatoes, turnips, carrots and other deep rooting plants for the summer. These are all veggies that can be stored in a root cellar, so I can use the indoor system for short term rotation plants like radish, green onions, herbs, lettuce, kale etc. If all goes well I would like to add on to this side to have a greenhouse attached to the house with a larger set of fish tanks.
The room is large and is basically open concept to 3/4 of my house so at this time I don't see humidity being a problem for the rest of the house. If need be I can install a dehumidifier and close doors to make this room totally separate, but time will tell.
The next part of the project is a small solar system to power the aquaponics lights and pumps. I also plan on having the solar system grow each month as I can afford it until it's big enough to get off the power grid. I think this will take a year.
I plan on starting small right now and building as i learn and can afford upgrades in small enough increments as not to stress the system.

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of a supplier for trout and/or tilapia fingerlings for aquaponics in the Lower Main Land?

Preppersaurus

homestead emporium on hastings st just set up a system in the store.....I dont know what fish they used but may have an answer for you....

One thing I'd like to mention to those using the IBC (International Bulk Container, I believe they are called) the large 1000L square containers in the aluminum cages.

These things are great. They have easily a dozen uses (that I can think of) and I'm completely agreeable to their use. Having said that, it has very recently come to my attention that these things could have had in them some quite disagreeable contents.

Be sure of what your's contained if you buy or obtain them second hand. If they were really cheap or free, there's likely a reason. I've just come across some that were a price that was really hard to resist. They previously had old vehicle coolant in them and they were rated food grade.
Just thought I'd share that warning with others. If the thing is super cheap or free, might be a good idea to ask why. You might just be inheriting someone else's disposal problem. Having said that, I do believe that I seen these brand new for like $140 ea.

Good point Runswithscissors! Ones to look for have previously been used for food. Juice concentrate, wine etc.

Oh, and Kijij search "Totes" and they turn up

There are neutralizing agents which can be used to clean containers that have had poisonous chemicals in them.Farm and landscape supply outlets should sell them.
I have used them in the past and believe that this along with a generous cleaning using an antibacterial soap would be more than enough to render a container clean.
If you wanted to be further confident you could use a liner made of heavy plastic or pool liner material from a hardware store.

By the time you get to that point, why not build one out of pressure treated wood and put a liner in it. We've had boxes 8X8X6'high that we've lined with plastic that have held up well. A good liner would make it a lot more durable.

Simple Green is great for getting them clean. Any 'oily' substances will come out with Simple Green. SG is used for preparing high pressure cylinders for oxygen service, and is readily available at most grocery stores.

Preppersaurus

Hi,

Haven't really posted here but have been lurking around and reading for months, found his post today, and am in the middle of organizing a group buy of tilapia in the lower mainland, the fish are mixed sex (from what I have heard you only get males from redfish ranch) and red Nile variety. They are also larger than fry as they are 2-3" long. They're $2 a fish no minimum buys. Pm me here or email me at durogity(at)gmail(dot)com. The buy is going to take place between August 24th-August 28 sometime, haven't nailed it down yet, but will advise as it comes to me. I will be travelling to get it, and can meet some people along the journey back for drop off, but if you can get closer to me, that would make it a lot better. I live in langley.

Let me know

Bumping this thread back up, let me know if the fish are a go as I need to set up a tank for them as I have not kept fish in years .

oh man here I go again jumping in head first , last week it was a pregnant goat , this week I need to find an aquarium I think I put in my basement 25 years ago . but the deal is going ahead and the tilapia come Saturday so once I se up the tank and figure out what tilapia eat , then I can figure out what I might trying growing with the fish water. I am not quite game to put together a whole circulating system , maybe something like duckweed in the aquarium ?