We're Adding African Catfish to our Sandponics System for Additional Benefits: 2022

We are introducing African Catfish to our Aquaponics system.
The main reason being that they can withstand colder water temperatures than tilapia. They are know to survive water temperatures as low as 6C. This past winter was rather harsh on our tilapia, with water temperatures dipping to 12C overnight.
PLEASE NOTE: The information on water temperature survival was given to us by the breeder of the catfish fingerlings based on a study published in an article titled "Temperature Preferences and Optimum Temperature For Growth of African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Larvae and Post Larvae" published in 1987, P.J.BRITZ and T.HECHT. In the article it mentions " under laboratory conditions it can tolerate temperatures as low as 6C" . This of course would apply to adult fish only, and of course its open for debate, as it does not mention for how long they can tolerate temperatures as low as 6C. It could thus be misleading to assume that catfish will survive for long (or at all) at 6C. From our experience, our adult catfish have survived through the past 4 winters with water temperatures as low as 12C. At these temperatures some of our adult tilapia died. Our breeder has water temperatures in their earth ponds dipping as low as 10C without any adult fish mortalities. In the same article above " Donnelly (1973) established that a diurnal temperature range of 13.5C - 27.5C did not have any effect on the survival of adults (catfish)" . If you wish, feel free to send us an email via our website www.myaquaponics.co.za and we will gladly share a link to the above-mentioned study.
Ideally, you want to keep water temperatures for most fish species in the 20C to 28C range
The other benefits of the African Catfish is that you can hold high stocking densities of over 100Kg of fish per 1000 litres. This is because they have rudimentary lungs, which enables them to survive in low levels of Dissolved Oxygen in teh water. They swim up to the surface of the water to gulp for air when required.
They basically also eat anything, so they're a very good generator of ammonia.
Sandponics has given us superior results, so we are looking at growing that option further.
Feel Free to join our Sandponics Africa group on Facebook - / sandponicsafrica
Myaquaponics Website: www.myaquaponi...
Blog: myaquaponics.c...
Facebook: / myaquaponics
KZbin: / myaquaponicsza
Due to increased demand from our overseas followers wanting to purchase our Best selling #aquaponics #ebook via #paypal or credit card, it is now available on #gumroad. The book "Secrets to Successful Aquaponics farming - Water Quality , System Design & Sizing (DIY & Commercial)" has 150 pages packed with photos, illustrations and formulas for backyard and commercial aquaponic systems, gathered from over 10 years of experience. Click the following link to purchase henrikiko.gumr...
South Africans can purchase via our website here myaquaponics.c...

[@warrior9086]

Great video > lot´s of info THXs. Yes, easy going ammonia producers. Less complications with oxygene and temp swings. With focus on plants that might be the way to go. Will be looking forward to the carrots

[@AndersFarm]

I am raising catfish for quite a long time (at the moment I have 3.000 catfish in my system) and a lot of my customers are using catfish. First time I hear that they can withstand 6 C temperature. Under 18 C they start to get fungal infections. Under 15 C they start to die. Maybe you are talking of another species, but I cannot believe that you are right with AFRICAN CATFISH (I have the clarias, and also the hybird in my system - both are definetly dead at 6C).

[@henripereira7253]

Hi, thank you for your input and heads up. The information was given to us by the breeder of the catfish fingerlings based on a study published in an article titled "Temperature Preferences and Optimum Temperature For Growth of African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Larvae and Post Larvae" published in 1987, P.J.BRITZ and T.HECHT. In the article it mentions " under laboratory conditions it can tolerate temperatures as low as 6C" . This of course would apply to adult fish only, and of course its open for debate, as it does not mention for how long they can tolerate temperatures as low as 6C. But you are correct, it is misleading and we will put that in the notes on the video. From our experience, our adult catfish have survived through the past 4 winters with water temperatures as low as 12C. At these temperatures some of our adult tilapia died. Our breeder has water temperatures in their earth ponds dipping as low as 10C. In the same article above " Donnelly (1973) established that a diurnal temperature range of 13.5C - 27.5C did not have any effect on the survival of adults (catfish)" . If you wish, feel free to send us an email via our website www.myaquaponics.co.za and I will gladly share a link to the above-mentioned study/article.

[@iAVs-Sandponics]

@@henripereira7253 I have Jade Perch, and apparently they don't survive below about 12 degrees celcius but I've kept them outside all winter with temps well below 10, they're all doing fine, it's quite amazing really.

[@AndersFarm]

@@henripereira7253 Thanks for your constructive reply. This is really a interesting topic. I think the point is that there is a broad range between - can survive and - where the real health problems start. With smaller african catfish (under 15cm) - I can say for sure, that under 17C a hughe percentage will die - because of fungal infections. But it is a pleasure to have a discussion with someone else with real experience. Kind regards - Peter

[@AndersFarm]

@@iAVs-Sandponics I have also Jade Perch in one tank. Cold temperature is no problem for them - they just stop taking any food, if it is too cold. Even though also there is a temperature which is more risky. Between 9 C and 14C the parasites are already active and the immun system is not very strong for the fish. So you should avoid water temperatures between 9 - 14 C - if you hold them in this temperature range for a longer time, your risk to have problems will rise significantly.

[@MyAquaponics1]

@@AndersFarm Hi Peter. Correct , there is indeed a broad range between - "can survive and where the real health problems start". I will be monitoring how the little guys do and how they evolve. We are going into summer now, so hopefully they grow big and strong over the next 6 months. BTW, you mention fungal infections in colder water, do you pass your water through UV sterilizers? Just wondering if that would have an effect in minimizing the infection rate.

[@jacklee4547]

Thanks for sharing the video. Is the water drained by a siphon just like other media bed?

[@MyAquaponics1]

The siphon is not a bell siphon, but is controlled by a timer. So it allows for overflow as well as slow drainage. You can watch it in our Sandponics Videos on KZbin, Parts 2 and 3.