Pond Boss Forums STOCKING A NEW POND Types of fish to choose Tilapia grow out tank

Howard I am using a 250 watt heat lamp now. I leave it on three days and off two. The water will get around 85 degrees if I leave it on all the time. The two days off will drop it around 75 degrees. I am getting the tank ready for my first tilapia, about 50 to 75. I have had the tank about a month and the electric bill went up about $ 8.00. I did not think that was bad, light, water pump, air pump.

If 75 deg. is as low as you get, i bet you could make do with no heating. The tilapia i am currently overwintering, are doing well at anything over 60 deg..Under that, and they quit eating.

Howard, what do you think beside temperature is the most important thing to watch for in raising tilapia in a tank? Is it oxygen, ammonia? I am new at this and any information would be helpful. Thanks

Howard, what do you think beside temperature is the most important thing to watch for in raising tilapia in a tank? Is it oxygen, ammonia? I am new at this and any information would be helpful. Thanks

Howard, what do you think beside temperature is the most important thing to watch for in raising tilapia in a tank? Is it oxygen, ammonia? I am new at this and any information would be helpful. Thanks

my system uses well water on a constant flow thru basis,similiar to one described by Bruce condello, i think. so i dont have a filter.But i do have a big aquariun aerator. I do flush the tub out , about 80% of the 150gal. total, on a weekly basis, and they have shown no ill effects.My sense is, these are very hardy fish, not terribly sensitive to water quality.i have noticed they eat a lot more at 70deg. than at 62 deg. or so. So you may want to target the low 60's, if you just want them to maintain their size, and not grow too much.

good luck,Ricky..Let us know how it goes..