Closed-Loop Fish Farming

The Aquaponics System

Grow troughs, trout-style raceways, and a natural pond β€” raising five aquatic species in harmony with our vegetable production.

Infrastructure

Three Systems, One Ecosystem

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Grow Troughs

Raised media-bed grow troughs where fish water feeds directly into plant root zones. Our highest-productivity vegetable production area.

Dimensions: 4' W Γ— 2' D Γ— 12–20' L
Media: Expanded clay / lava rock
Flood cycle: 15 min on / 45 min off
〰️
Trout-Style Raceways

Long, narrow channels with continuous flow β€” the primary fish grow-out system for tilapia and catfish at scale.

Dimensions: 4' W Γ— 2' D Γ— 20' L
Flow rate: Tank volume per 90 min
Stocking: 0.5 lb fish / gallon
🌿
Natural Pond Ecosystem

Semi-managed natural pond for crawfish, larger catfish, and waterfowl. Aerated and managed for water quality but otherwise natural.

Aeration: 2 HP paddle aerator
Harvest: Wire trap, seasonal
Primary: Crawfish & catfish
What We Raise

Five Species, Three Systems

🦞
Crawfish

Natural pond. Seasonal harvest April–June. Trap-harvested and sold fresh at the farm stand.

🦐
Freshwater Prawn

Raceways and pond margins. Similar management to crawfish. Harvest in late summer.

🐟
Catfish

Raceways and pond. Hardy, fast-growing. 12–18 months to harvest weight of 1–2 lbs.

🐑
Tilapia

Primary raceway fish. 6–9 months to harvest. Extremely productive nutrient producers for grow troughs.

🐠
Flounder

Advanced system. Brackish/cooler water raceway. 18–24 months to harvest. Exceptional table fish.

How It Works

The Closed Loop

01
Fish Produce Waste

Fish consume feed and produce ammonia-rich waste into the water.

02
Bacteria Convert

Beneficial bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite, then to plant-available nitrate.

03
Plants Consume

Grow trough plants absorb nitrates as fertilizer, pulling them from the water.

04
Water Returns Clean

Filtered, plant-cleaned water returns to the fish tank. The cycle continues.

FAQ

Common Aquaponics Questions

Can I mix crawfish with other fish?

In a natural pond, yes β€” crawfish coexist well with catfish and tilapia. In raceways, we keep them separate since crawfish can stress and injure fish during molting periods.

How much produce does the system generate?

Our four grow troughs produce approximately 300–400 pounds of vegetables per year β€” leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes, and peppers β€” in addition to the fish yield.

Do you use chemicals in the water?

No synthetic chemicals. We use pH Up (potassium hydroxide) and pH Down (phosphoric acid) in very small amounts when needed. The biology handles everything else.

Are the fish available at the farm stand?

Crawfish seasonally (spring), other fish by request and availability. Contact us to get on the list for fresh catfish, tilapia fillets, and shrimp when harvest is ready.

Read Our Full Aquaponics Guide β†’