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.

First of our New Tanks

The first of our new tanks arrive.

One Small Step...

Significant Progress thanks to Staff, Students and our Community

The Beginning

In the beginning...

• cladding was removed
• 3 of 4 roller doors removed
• minor reconstruction
• new cladding applied
• roof removed, insulating sarking applied and re-roofed
• corrugated iron lined interior

A Different Kettle Of Fish

and in the beginning there was...

Welcome to... a Different Kettle Of Fish

This site was first created on 'Geocities' in 1996, however that domain ceased to exist in August 2009. the site www.geocities.com/adifferentkettleoffish was moved to wadalbaarc.blogspot.com during July 2009.

Glenn, Helen, Jess, Joe and all the smoked, BBQ'd and frozen Rainbow Trout thank you for a great day.... Huge is the only word! Except that Paul found a 'Brooke Trout' that will be used for bait! The afternoon included a Wine Options Game, although Judy drank most of her bottle before any questions were asked!

Any way, like I was saying Trout is the fruit of the sea. You can bbq it, broil it, boil it, bake it, saute it. There's trout kabobs, trout Creole ... trout gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There's pineapple trout, lemon trout, coconut trout, pepper trout, trout soup, trout stew, trout salad, trout and potatoes, trout burger, trout sandwich ... that's, that's about it!

A BIG day! Saturday, October 26th 2002 @ 2.30 pm.