I've been searching for information on fish farming on our farm without a pond. Can we use cement blocks sealed or what other ideas? We'd like to make an income from this if this is successful. Thank you.

-- kathy baker (kbaker@duo-county.com), August 15, 2000

Answers

There are any number of books on aquaculture, some of which cover small-scale operations, such as raising fish in above ground swimming pools. Check what is available at your local library. Once you have references the library can likely borrow a book which interests you from another library. There also also closed posts under Aquaculture on this forum.

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 16, 2000.

There's a lot of good info in Kurt's page, just ignore his rambelings!

See: Backyard fish farms

http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods/foods07.htm

and

Fish in a barrel

http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods/foods07.htm

-- (perry@ofuzzy1.com), August 16, 2000.

oops.

backyard aquacultrue

http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods/foods07.htm

catfish in a barrel

http://www.kurtsaxon.com/foods/foods08.html

-- (perry@ofuzzy1.com), August 16, 2000.

in the catagories section [ at bottom of page] under aquaculture, under fish farming is a great article by a guy who raises cat fish in a barrel.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), August 20, 2000.

My major project for next year is to convert my inground swimming pool into a fresh water ecosystem to include fish and some veggie growing. I'm interested in any info I can find on these two things and appreciate the website provided on this thread. I'm just interested in producing fish for my own family and friends not for resale so I think this is doable. I also want to be able to make this look like a nice fresh water pond with a rock water fall and rocks that will be used as stairs to get in and out of the pool. Once I figure out how to control the algae properly and keep the water clear, I will build it like I want it to be. Right now I am just experimenting with ways to clear out the algae while I still have the old pool liner in the pool. Once I figure out how to keep the water clear and the fish growing well, I will reline the whole thing and make it look like the pond I want it to be. For now, I am raising some catfish in it to see how well they can keep it clean.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), August 21, 2000.

Try the cattle watering tanks. We have one that is 8'8" and 2' deep we used for the boys swimming pool when they were young. We have had it laying in the back yard and your post gives me and idea to use it as a fish pond. We paid about $200 for it about 12 yrs ago.

-- John Maughan (jmaughan@mmcable.com), August 22, 2000.

Also they have larger tanks but don't know if cost would be higher than building one out of blocks. At least you would have a ready made pond and they come with a drain on them

-- John Maughan (jmaughan@mmcable.com), August 22, 2000.

I'm using a small wading pool under my carport with aquarium areators. Still experimenting with it. Got my info here at the forum. Look in the archives for the thread. Good luck.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), August 22, 2000.