How to Create a Backyard Fish Farm
It is not difficult to raise your own food fish. All that is needed is a plan and the right equipment. Once you have raised your fish to the right size, you will then be able to use your favorite recipes to make a taste tempting treat.
Things You'll Need:
- Wading or aboveground swimming pool
- Sump pump or aerator
- Pool heater
- Water testing kit
- Dip or drag net
- Charcoal filter used for chlorinated water
- Grass clippings, algae or commercial fish food
- Choose a location in your backyard that will fit your pool where it has access to an electrical outlet. Remove grass from this area and level it with a layer of sand. Set the pool up and fill with water, and then set the filter and heater in place. Temperatures can vary between species so find information about the species you are going to raise. 75 degrees is generally comfortable for most fish.
- Turn the pump on and let the water run through it for a few days to remove the chlorine. You will need a pH of 6.5 to 7. If it is too alkaline add gypsum to the water, and if it is too acidic add lime. Test the water for heavy metals and install an appropriate filter to remove these if found. Install the aerator and assure it's working correctly.
- Let the filters continue to work in the water for a minimum of two weeks before you add fish to the pool. This allows time to condition the water and neutralize bacteria that could be present.
- Place the bags that the fish arrive in in the water and allow two or three hours for the fish to adjust to the temperature change before turning them loose in the water.
- Use a floating feed rack or just place the food on the top of the water, but feed at the same time of day. You can purchase commercial feed tailor-made to the breed but you can also go natural and allow algae to grow in the water and toss in grass clippings and the occasional manure. Fish should eat about 3 percent of body weight each day so increase the amount as they grow.
- Use the net of your choice to remove the number of fish you desire to prepare for dinner.