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Hey everyone I'm Andrew. I'm wanting to raise/breed bluegill and possibly channel catfish in an aquaponics system. I live in North louisiana. I've never attempted raising fish for food but have had aquariums throughout my 49yrs. The last about 15yrs I've kept reef tanks. They can be difficult to do successfully but somehow I was pretty good at it so I figured surely I can raise fish that are indigenous to my area. I'd like to do it indoors as I dnt have a pond and the controlled environment will make veggie growing easier and a yr round production. I do have a 250gal plywood tank with 2 glass panels I built, 2 100gal glass tanks, an 80gal and a couple of 55gal glass tanks. I already have the lights from reef setups along w pumps,sumps,heaters,wave makers etc. Is this a realistic endeavor?and if so I would appreciate any input and/or tips on how to make it as easy as possible. I want my wife to be able to continue it if something were to happen to me. So the simpler the better bc well....well I'm sure you guys know where I'm coming from. Thanks in advance and God bless

Welcome to Pond Boss!!

I have never attempted to use any of my ponds primarily for food production, and all my experience is mostly outdoors.

Let's see what others have to offer about what you're trying to do.

I suggest you buy the March/April 2007 back issue of PBMag in order to read the article "Fish in a Barrel" where my experience keeping BG in a 100 gallon watering trough modified for easy water exchange (a "Po'Boy RAS" as designed by Bruce Condello).* It may be more similar to the scale of production you are contemplating than commercial aquaculture set up.

You would need to capture the discharge water from the "aqua" half to use in the "ponics" part.

I also recommend checking your state agriculture extension agency to see if they have any programs/tours of aquaponics facilities. If you were in Ohio, there is an aquaponics setup that can be toured in one of the extension stations in Southern Ohio (Pike County IIRC).

* I don't get any money from this, but Bob Lusk will. Who deserves it more?

Welcome to Pond Boss. I’ve never attempted to do what you are doing so I’ll just wish you luck.