We have been recommending this book to customers and clients on a daily basis for years, so we decided to start carrying it here on our website! Steven Van Gorder's Small Scale Aquaculture is quite possibly the best book available for backyard fish farming enthusiasts, and with such a small price tag, it is an amazing value considering the incredible amount of info Steven has managed to pack into it. With Small-Scale Aquaculture as a guide, you can achieve a higher level of self reliance and provide a healthier diet for your family. Fish are one of the best sources of protein in the animal kingdom, low in calories and saturated fats, and this book describes exactly how you can grow fresh fish inexpensively throughout the year. Recirculating systems, greenhouse growing methods, fish cage grow out systems, flow through aquaculture, aquaponics systems and pond growing are all discussed in this fantastic book. Plans for building fish rearing equipment such as filtration systems, plumbing systems, aeration systems, fish cages and more are included, along with illustrations. Includes a wealth of fantastic information on tilapia, including grow out methods and breeding techniques.
189 Pages
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1: AN INTRODUCTION T0 SMALL SCALE FISH CULTURE SYSTEMS
Systems and Methods
Water Quality Parameters
Temperature
Dissolved Oxygen
Algae Culture
Nitrogenous Compounds
Ammonia
Biofiltration
Nitrites
Nitrates
pH
Solids
Evaluation of Water Quality
Feeds and Feeding
Fish Foods
Feed Management
Food Size and Buoyancy
Frequency and Method of Feeding
Demand Feeders
Automatic Feeders
Feed Levels
Feeding Behavior
Fish Species Used in Small-Scale Systems
The Tilapia Family
The Catfish Family
The Carp Family
The Bass Family
The Salmonid Family
The Perch Family
CHAPTER 2: DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF THE HOME RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE
SYSTEM
Design of the Home Recirculating Aquaculture System
System Components
The Fish Culture Tank
The Season-Extending Solar Dome
The Drum Clarifier
The Biofilter
Aerators
Emergency Systems
Assembly of the Home Recirculating Aquaculture System
Preliminary Preparations & Considerations
Testing Your Water Source
Assembly of System Components
The Culture Pool
Biodisc Filter& Rack
Acclimation of the Biofilter
Season-Extending Dome
Aeration
Drum Clarifiers
An Operational System
Maintenance of the Home Recirculating Aquaculture System
Stocking Procedure
Choosing Your Fish
Number and Size of Fingerlings
Transfer of Fingerlings
Daily and Weekly Maintenance Schedules
Feeding
Feed Management Strategies
Water Quality
pH Control
Cleaning the Clarifiers
General Maintenance
Harvest
Variations of the Home Aquaculture System
Off-Season Fish Culture
Ornamental Systems
Species Variations
Supplemental Feeding
Troubleshooting
CHAPTER 2 - ADDENDUM: CONSTRUCTION & ASSEMBLY OF SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Rotating Biodisc Filter
Waterwheel
Bioplates
Biofilter Assembly
Biofilter Frame (Option 1)
Biofilter Frame (Option 2)
Clarifiers
Clarifier Siphon Tubes
Clarifier Assembly
Fish Culture Pool Assembly
Season-Extending Dome
CHAPTER 3: TILAPIA SPAWNING METHODS
Introduction
Classification
Sexual Differentiation
Spawning Rituals of Tilapia
All-Male Tilapia Culture
Use of Hormones
Hybridization
Options for Spawning Tilapia
Obtaining Brood Stock
Outdoor Spawning
Aquarium Spawning
Spawning in the Culture Pool
The Tilapia Hatchery
CHAPTER 4: GREENHOUSE AQUAPONICS
Introduction
What is Aquaponics?
Integrated System Design
ls Aquaponics For You?
Organic Aquaponics
A Museum Exhibit on Aquaponics
The Rodale Solar Aquaponics Facility
A Solar Structure for Aquaculture
A Solar Aquaculture Facility in New England
Summary
CHAPTER 5: SMALL-SCALE CAGE CULTURE METHODS
Introduction
Advantages of Cage Culture
Disadvantages of Cage Culture
Water Requirements
Cage Placement
Transportation / Stocking of Fingerlings
Species of Fish for Cage Culture
Channel Catfish
Hybrid Striped Bass
Tilapia
Salmonids
Management of Cages
Feeding of Caged Fish
Demand Feeding in Cage Culture
Overwintering Caged Fish
Harvesting Caged Fish
Summary
CHAPTER 5 - ADDENDUM: CONSTRUCTION OF FISH CULTURE CAGES
Introduction
Cage Frame Construction
Applying Cage Mesh to Frame
CHAPTER 6: SMALL-SCALE FLOW-THROUGH SYSTEMS
Introduction
The Water Source
Capturing a Spring
The Springhouse
The Small-Scale Flow-Through Aquaculture System
Learning by Example
Adapting an Existing Structure
New York State Spawns Fish Farming Coop
The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute
Small-Scale Trout Culture
Trout in Your Backyard
Summary
AFTERWORD
APPENDIX A: Distributors for Aquacultural Supplies and Services
Equipment Distributors
Fish Feeds
Fish Distributors
Organizations and Associations
APPENDIX B: References for Additional Reading on Small-Scale Aquaculture
APPENDIX C: Technical Illustrations