Water Test 16/5/05

pH 6.50
Conductivity .24
Water Temp 18.0
Air temp 16.1

Bi-Carb Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)

System Backwash and flush. Sump drained and flushed to remove waste food etc.
Added rain water to Tank 3 to allow it to settle before rejoining Tank 3 to the recirculation System. Added 200g then 500g Bi-Carb Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) to act as a pH Buffering Agent.

Water Test 14/5/05

pH 6.30
Conductivity .19
Water Temp 19.0
Air temp 19.8

Water Test 13/5/05

pH 6.0
Conductivity .14
Water Temp 19.5
Air temp

Water ‘soapy’ due to feed. Needed to backwash and flush 3 times to return water to usual clarity. Will not feed for a couple of days to allow system to correct itself.

Water Test 5/5/05

pH 6.70
Conductivity .21
Water Temp 20.0
Air temp 21.7

More Murray Cod Dead

2 more Murray Cod fatalities. Will have to setup aquarium and isolate fish to determine problem. Is it temperatue?

Sump Drain

Excess food had been carried into the sump. We need to fit 'socks' to the inlet pipes to filter out solid material such as food and fish waste. The sump was drained as much as possible by continuing the recirculation while tank valves were turned off. Once the water level had fallen below the pump valve the motor was switched off and a hose connected to the outlet valve at the base of the sump. All water and excess food etc. was drained. New water from the rainwater tank was added and the recirculation restarted. Excess food will decompose releasing dangerous nitrates and ammonia into the system.

Murray Cod Fatality

We have lost 12 Murray Cod in total with 2 more being found today. All dead fish are stored in the ARC Freezer for later examination and measurement. Water tests confirm that the water is healthy. It has been 4 weeks since the fish were introduced. The temperature of the recirculated system is 21.9C. Murray Cod prefer temps from 24-26C. We may have to move them from their current tank to an aquarium to better control the water temp?

Water Test 1/5/05

pH 7.50
Conductivity .19
Water Temp 20.6
Air temp 18.0

Full Flush and Backwash- Fish & Water Update

A full flush, syphon and backwash was carried out on the recirculation system. No rain so the rainwater tank (11,000l) is of concern. An additional tank will need to be purchased and significant rain will need to fall.

Trout are feeding and showing signs of significant growth. Trout will need to be graded soon and divided into Large, Medium and Small and placed into 3 separate tanks.

Golden Perch are also thriving with only 1 fatality over the past 4 weeks. Estimated size now 70mm. Yellowbelly are feeding on commercial pellets and also Blood Worms and Brine Shrimp.

Fatalities have continued with the Murray Cod. The fish prefer Blood Worms and it is difficult to wean them onto commercial pellets.

Yabbies are NOT thriving- seems to be a problem that we are unable to find/solve. Water is being changed weekly, water is clear and oxygenated?

Corrugated Iron lining of boundary fence.

Barry completed the lining of the boundary fence. A great job that will assist in security of the farm and reduce damage to the paling fence
The gate support pole has been concreted in place and the gate will be installed/swung shortly.
The grounds have been mown a third time, boundary weeds have been poisoned and the rough weeds and grass are being turned into lawn.

Ammonia and Nitrate Kit Purchased

Kits were purchased to extend water testing. Up until now we have tested PH, Salinity (Conductivity), Temperature. We are missing a probe for the DO (Disolved Oxygen) meter and the probe for the Datalogger is not working. We are investigating additional probes for our current dataloggers for Ammonia, Nitrate etc. readings are recorded in a spreadsheet and tracked to monitor changes.

Water Test 27/4/05

pH 7.20
Conductivity .19
Water Temp 21.4
Air temp 23.1

Water Test 20/4/05

pH 7.40
Conductivity .27
Water Temp 21.9
Air temp 18.7

'Black Box' Technology to Monitor ARC Pumps

If recirculation stops due to water loss in the sump a float switch (relay) will stop power to the pump/motor. When the water level is restored the float switch will reactivate the pump/motor. This sytem attempts to prevent 'burn out' of the motor if it continues to run dry. Blue Glue (http://www.blueglue.biz) has assisted WCS/ARC through 'black box' technology which sends an SMS text message to a designated mobile number to warn that the punp is off/on. This allows intervention to correct the situation without loss of fish or expensive motors.

MAT Aim and Outcomes

The aim of the MAT (Marine and Aquaculture Technology) is to develop in students a capacity to design, produce and evaluate sustainable use and management of marine and water-related environments.
Learning Outcomes

• Communicate in the Seafood Industry- DTP (produce brochures and certificates), eMail
• Maintain Water Quality- Workplace Technology (computers, software applications, Datalogger
• Meet workplace health and safety requirements
• Operate a computer to gain access to and retrieve data
• Operate a computer to produce simple documents
• Handle Stock- including introducing stock, grading & pre-harvest handling
• Perform routine maintenance

Plumbing almost complete

Putting the Plumbing Plan to work. Water flows from all tanks to a Sump. The design, height of entry into the sump will prevent tanks from emptying if an issue occurs. The design does allow for individual, selected tanks or all tanks to be completely drained.

Technology Assists Efficient Running of the ARC

A WiFi connection has been made between the school and the ARC. This will facilitate access to the schools network, Intranet, Internet, files to record results of water tests and eventually 'WetCam' monitoring of the ARC and Tanks.

A ROW of TANKS

The Tank Structure begins to take shape.