My hope was that they would be at or near breeding size by the time the pond warmed up enough to put them back in. Thought of starting them with a smaller amount of water, and increasing water as they grew. Problem is, this would not work with one of those filters that hangs on the back of an aquarium...so looking at canister filters.
Any ideas or input on off-the-shelf filters? What i have seen so far would cost $140-$300 for canister filters. The ones that hang off the back of an aquarium I can get for about $50 each...would take three to four for a full tote.
Sean
Why not build your own system and filters that can handle up to 100 lbs. of fish?
A circular 5 to 8 foot Stock tank $200.00
2 blue 55 gallon drums $20.00K
A 60 watt 10 to 15 gpm mag drive pump $40.00
A 40 watt 60 lpm (2.1 cfm) linear air pump $145.00
PVC fittings and pipe $50.00 or less
A knife gate valve $30.00
PVC glue and primer $6.00
Two membrane diffusers $70.00
1/2 inch air line 10 feet $15.00
1 inch water line 10 feet $20.00
Garden mesh material for filter netting $15.00
Cinder blocks $25.00
Allied Aqua media 2 to 4 cubic feet $50.00 to $100.00
If you can find a used plastic stock tank you could probably knock $150.00 off the total.
You could use dual stones instead of the membrane diffusers and save about $30.00.
It will pay for itself in one or two uses depending on how many tilapia you buy.
You can hatch 'em in an aquarium once you have brood fish.
