Raising Catfish in a barrel!! 11-03-2011 UPDATE!!

[gmendoza]

Yes I am going to start raising catfish in a 55 gallon white plastic barrel. I got the barrel preped and cleaned,need to buy a 55 gallon air pump at petsmart,and the 40 (6-8") channel catfish fingerlings are getting shipped via fedex home delivery.

Will update and give all new pics of our microfarm setup and new buildings/coops and such on sunday.

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
As someone mentioned plants will need light, BTW what kind of plants are you planning to grow?
Adding CO2 with the stocking levels you plan may cause an algae bloom which will require more water turnover. You will also need supplemental air, the depth of the 55 gallon drum will require a powerful air pump and large air-stone, the air has to come from the bottom to keep the waste from layering on the bottom.
Can you post some pic's of your set up?

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/pond-supplies/pr/c/5163

WOW! you are like the strongest critic I have yet to come across.

I'm not critical, actually I want you to succeed but I want you to be aware of the pitfalls of trying to raise catfish in a 55 gallon/48" tall barrel. As you surmised I raise/keep tropical fish (75-80 degree) and breeding in 10/15/20 gallon tanks is easier than 55gallon "upright" drums. Your challenge will be keeping the water fresh and clean. To grow quickly, fish need a lot of clean water, a lot!
Catfish are more tolerant than tropical fish but the amount of food they need can outstrip the amount of water a 55/48" tall 55 gallon drum is capable of providing unless you can add a "whole lot" of clean water.

Take the same 55 Gallons and spread it out over an area of (48in X 24 X 12)/231 ='s 60 gallons with the same water turn over and you have a much greater surface area capable of supporting the stocking levels you are proposing. Surface area is the key to exchangeing ammonia/nitrate/nitrite waste + adding air/oxygen to the water to increasing your success rate.

More later ... and looking forward to your success.
Joe

 

[taraann81]

Take a deep breath...
For the most part people are offering you well meaning advice. Perhaps mentioning things to ensure you have taken it in to account. People are intrigued by the idea/process. Some mention the pitfalls and how they suspect it will turn out, others offer helpful advice. what did you expect from posting this thread?

Myself, and I am sure most others, are hoping you succeed. Calm down, there is no need to rant and freak out. Nobody is offering their approval or disapproval in an attempt to unconvince you to try it, to be honest nobody cares that much.

Helpful advice was given now plough ahead, if no advice was sought maybe you should put a clause in your first post.

"Those who wish to post must follow these rules.

1- Do not offer advice
2- Do not mention anything that could go wrong
3-Only people who wish to post positives need post.

Good luck to you, I hope you succeed and hope you learn to take suggestions a little more eloquently.

ETA
I see you have edited out your last paragraph, I suppose my response now seems out of place.

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

Quote:
cool ill be watching for updates...

 

[bockbock2008]

Not trying to be negative here, but HOW do you raise 40 channel cats in 55 gallons?

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Exactly !!!! you will have transfer them very soon after you get them. plus there won't be any space for them to rest on the bottom and that's what they like. perhaps you should rethink your plan.

AL

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

Quote:
Exactly !!!! you will have transfer them very soon after you get them. plus there won't be any space for them to rest on the bottom and that's what they like. perhaps you should rethink your plan.

AL

the UofA says 5 to 9 per square foot of water... i don't like to have them that crowded but they do...

 

[gmendoza]

No Im not going to rethink it. Already thought it. Done.

The idea is raising them til they get 1-1 1/2 lbs. Then harvest some,let others grow bigger,harvest some more,let the rest get bigger and so on.

If you dont believe, then watch my results.

If I try and fail its better than not trying and succeeding.

Cant talk me out of it,read about it and will do it.

We have a micro farm, so naturally growing catfish in a barrel is a next step.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Well, at least it will be easy to shoot them.

 

[cozycritters]

I am interested to see how this turns out-- it's something I would def. try.