Smallest system that can support Tilapia?

[Emmett]

No I haven't discovered the smallest system that can support Tilapia, I would like to know what it would be. :P

I read a lot about one pound of fish for every two gallons of tank but how big is a fully grown Tilapia? How small a tank could they live in? If they weigh 3 lbs each could two of them survive in a 10 gallon tank (er, or 12 gal) and if not why not?

[badflash]

A 3 pound tilapia is over a foot long and could not turn around in a 10 gallon tank. Systems that can support 1 pound per 2 gallons require pure oxygen. I'd push it to no more than 1 pound to 5-7 gallons of water with a standard aquaponics setup.

You can certainly use a small tank with smaller fish. I keep 10 O. mossambica in a 20 gallon tank. I use my DIY bead filter for the particulates.

[Emmett]

Okay, that gets to the essence of my question. So what would be the smallest tank? If fish ambulation is the limiting factor, perhaps a round tank 3' in diameter would work? Wouldn't that be a 50 gal barrel?

What do you think? would Tilapia survive in half a 50 gal barrel?

[badflash]

Absolutely, check out barrelponics.

[Emmett]

Okay, thanks!