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How to Grow Tilapia in an Aquaculture System

Aquaponics is a symbiotic system combining aquaculture, or fish farming, and hydroponic produce production. In warm weather regions, Tilapia grow well in an aquaponics tank culture due to their high tolerance of fluctuating pH, temperature and other water conditions.

Once you have established an aquaponics system, it is important to carefully research the biological and management needs of Tilapia before adding these fish to your system.

Begin with a low fish to gallons of water ratio, such as 1:7. As you gain more experience with aquaponics, you can concentrate the density as high as 1:1.

Things You'll Need

Water testing strips for fish tanks
Watch with second hand
Distilled water
Tilapia fingerlings
Floating thermometer
Fish tank heater, adequate for the number of gallons in your tank
Tilapia fish food
10-gallon aquarium fish tank with heater, pump, filter and aerator
Net

Instructions

- 1
  Dip one water testing strip into your aquaponics tank and hold it still for two seconds. Remove the strip and shake it once to remove the excess water. Wait 25 seconds, and then compare the pH, total alkalinity and total hardness results to the color chart on the test strip bottle. Wait one minute, and then compare the nitrite and nitrate results to the color chart on the test strip bottle. Instructions on the bottle will indicate optimal conditions for fish.
- 2
  Gradually add distilled water to the tank to improve its alkalinity and hardness levels. Adjust the pH level by incrementally adding small amounts of non-iodized salt to raise it or vinegar to lower it. Wait several minutes after each addition of distilled water, salt or vinegar and re-test levels with the testing strips.
- 3
  Place a floating thermometer in the water tank. After several minutes, check the temperature. Heat the water tank to a minimum of 61 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Set up a 10-gallon fish tank with heater, pump, aerator and filter in a temperature controlled room, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Adjust the water temperature to room temperature. You will only need to use this tank if the fish become ill.
- 5
  Add Tilapia fingerlings to your aquaponics tank and observe them for several hours. If the Tilapia exhibit signs of stress, such as floating on their sides, remove them from the tank with a net and place them in your 10-gallon fish tank. Gradually increase the water temperature to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
  If the fish resume normal behavior in one to two days, gradually reduce the temperature of the water to room temperature. After several hours, return the fish to the aquaponics tank.
- 6
  Feed Tilapia up to three times daily, as long as the water temperatures are above 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Reduce feeding to once every two to three days when temperatures drop below 61 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed the fish only as much as they can consume in five minutes.
- 7
  Add more plants to the system if the nitrogen and nitrate levels begin to climb. Add additional distilled water to lower the levels more quickly.

Animals & Science