'Deep' Clean of Entry (Foyer) Aquarium

Thanks to Corey, Scott, Cameron, Jarryd, Craig and ...
Although the Aquarium is cleaned and 1/3 of its water replaced each month the undergravel filter and sand had not been cleaned for over 12 months.
Fish (Silver Perch, Australian Bass and Yabbies) were transferred to the ARC and the aquarium drained. All filters and air stones were cleaned, sand/gravel rinsed and undergravel filter cleaned. The tank was wiped out and then all equipment replaced.
*We use ONLY rainwater tank water for all our aquaculture!
The tank will be given time to settle, allowing chemicals and bacteria to balance.
Fish will be restocked in Term 4. WHAT species would you like to see in this aquarium?

Trout Loss continues 8-(

A further 6 Trout died over night. 6 * Tank 1. We believe that stress from the hot weather has caused the continued deaths. This has accelerated our design and development of a 'cooling' system for the water.

Aquaculture Related Project

Concern!!! Some management teams will not complete the project (Assessment Task)... this will result in a FAILURE...

Update:

• WORMs! Doing great!!!
• Frog Tank 'stagnate'- NO Frogs... lots of promises?
• Marine/Salt Water Tank-NO Progress...lots of promises?
• Brine Shrimp/Artemia- NO Progress
• Cichlid Breeding -NO Progress... now working on Artemia Project?

** Most groups have started their PowerPoint' presentation to support their project.

Trout loss due to excessive temperatures 8-(

A total of 12 fish were lost today as a result of the excessive temperatures. 9 * Tank 1 3 * Tank 2.

Mulberry time... approaching

The tree has set a huge amount of fruit. Some worries about the drought? It seems that our students like the green ones. Another 3-5 weeks. Hopefully the fruit will remain on the tree until after the school spring break?

Routine Maintenance

Flush and rinse outside reservoir to clear excess dirt and decomposed material. Flush to garden plots.
Backwashed Pump/filter system. Fed worms, fish. Weeded garden.

TARE & Digital Scales

Digital Scales have been purchased for the ARC. These will be used for monitoring/measuring; feed, fish and chemicals (Salt/Bi-Carb Soda).
TARE: is a term in weights and measurements which refers to the weight of an empty container. Scales that have a TARE enable different ingredients in the same container to be weighed.
Overfeeding is: uneconomical, a hazard to fish health and water quality. Excess feed that decays will increase ammonia/Nitrite levels and disturb the pH of the water. The majority of our fish are surface or middle water column feeders... once food is on the bottom it is not eaten! Feed should be given to fish while they are hungry/eating. Daily changes will occur due to temperature, sunlight, time of day, stress etc. So feeding amounts may change day to day. Always observe the fish prior to, during and after feeding to ensure behaviour is 'normal' expected.

Jobs- Progressing or NOT?

Thanks to Cameron and Jarryd for trimming the overhanging branches. The path to the ARC was beginning to be a jungle. Secators were used to remove some very think branches.
The Chrysanthemum Gardens were weeded by 'most' of the class. Some decided that bending and dirt 'are not their thing'!
Ben and Jaime assisted in moving the pool hose, that was draining the sump to ensure the whole of garden (1) was watered.
The outside reservoir had thick sludge on the bottom, by backwashing the ARC recirculation system to the reservoir while maintaining flow through the pool hose to the garden we were able to move the sludge.
The Worm Farm has progressed 'layer apon layer' and is now ready for worms, thanks to Daniel (Smida) for his leadership. A local resturant has been organised to drop off left overs for the farm.
I am concerned that the following groups will not complete the project (Assessment Task)... this will result in a FAILURE... Please see me if you would like guidance.

• Frog Tank progressing- NO Frogs.
• Marine/Salt Water Tank-NO Progress
• Brine Shrimp/Artemia- NO Progress
• Cichlid Breeding -NO Progress

Come on guys and gals... running out of time!