ARC Working Bee

The rainwater tank holds 10,000l and has 24 corrugations on the outside of the tank. The Rainwater Tank was 6 corrugations from the top ... approx 3/4 full 7,500l before work commenced.
The sump required a topup of 500l, Tanks 3 and 5 were filled (1000l ea) which resulted in our Rainwater Tank now being half full (5,000l). This was considered a reasonable risk as the forecast for rain is of significant percentage.
Chrysanthemums have flowered early and are presenting great colours... we need to take advantage of this and move harvesting and sales NOW!

An experimental water cooler has been designed and engineered and installed by LG. It is hoped that this will extend the Trout (Cold Water Fish) growing season.

Trout arrive from Lithgow

ggwsi50 Rainbow trout were transported from Lithgow- ARCHVALE Trout Farm on Sunday. After acclimatisation fingerlings <10cm>

Slits were cut in the riser to enable suitable water flow while still preventing fish escape.

Photos to follow.

http://www.lithgow-tourism.com/trout.htm

MAT in the ARC 28/3/07

Weeding- well it was intended to be weeding?
Feeding: Australian Bass Fed very well
Poddy Mullet also continue to feed on artificial feed
Silver Perch and Yabbies also fed well
Cleaning ARC- thanks for the sweeping and reorganisation of storage boxes etc.
All systems checked and functioning well
Aquarium on stand in LAB ready for sea water and fish

Preparation

• 1000l Tank (6) which is isolated from Re-circulation System was filled and filter activated
• Main Recirculation system backwashed, rinsed and topped up approx. 500l
• Australian Bass Tank (4) fed
• Aquarium (1) Filled (no fish)
• Aquarium (2) Tadpoles/Frogs OK
• Aquarium (3) Silver Perch, Australian Bass, Yabbies- 1/3 water replacement
• Aquarium (4) Poddy Mullet OK (feed mullet artificial pellet- seemed to fed ok)

* Aquarium Collection Permit (Section37, Fisheries ManagementAct 1994) Expires 31/7/2007

SAD News 81 Australian Bass Dead!

We had pump failures (2) in the ARC Thursday March 16 which resulted in loss of air and recirculated water. 81 Australian Bass died, all from Tank 3. Tank 3's population was at a level that resulted in total loss of oxygen, so death. Tank 4 had less population and was able to survive. The air compressor is being evaluated. Recirculation has been restarted. SAD!

The Rain in ... falls mainly on Norah Head?

Rain water is ESSENTIAL to our Fish Farm and Aquaculture Research Centre.

Rainfall to date 2007
February / March... 1-6
40.8mm / 94.6mm

Comparison of Rainfall for 2006
March (total)
69.6mm

Source...
http://www.bom.gov.au/

Tadpoles and Frogs Sourced

A collection of Tadpoles and Frogs have been obtained from a single source to create herpetoculture. This is a significant research task for our students (management team) leading to the award of 'school certificate'. The amphibians will be released into their new home Tuesday. Why are strict regulation made when collecting Tadpoles and Frogs? ** Photos by Emily

New South Wales licences and protection

http://frogs.org.au/arc/legal.html

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

What to feed Tadpoles?
http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/tadpoles/
What Frog is that...?
http://frogs.org.au/

February 2007 Update

Australian Bass were transfered from the office foyer area of the school to the ARC. One dead Bass was removed from the aquarium. This will enable a 'yearly' clean of the office aquarium and restocking with Barramundi

Chrysanthemums are thriving due to recent rain and continued watering from our recirculation system. Thanks to our MAT classes for the weeding and care. We expect that these plants will set flower heads in April, ready for sale prior to mother's day. Sale of 'bunchjes' of Chrysanthemums assists the ARC investments in farming and research.

Christmas catch-up

Fish Fed well. Backwashed filter and topped up sump. Cleaned risers. Watered Chrysanthemums with approx. 500l from outside Reservoir. All well!
Will rent Oxygen tank and 'fish' grade oxygen for 2007- firstly to transport Australian Bass to Raymond Terrace and then for fish transport and care throughout 2007.

Preparing for Christmas

Cleaned ARC. Securely stored all equipment. Backwashed system- Reservoir now holding 1000l. Topped up sump. Fish all well- continued draining Tanks 6 & 7.

Summer-ise

Yr9 AT were impressive in their work at the ARC today... mulching was applied to the Chrysanthemum garden/s. Water that has been used in the recirculation (fish farm) was backwashed and dumped to the outside resovoir then syphoned & bucketed onto the garden/s. Australian Bass fed well, Yabbies transfered from Yabbie Tank 7 to Aquarium 3. Tank 6 syphoned/drained to outside grass. 2 computers have been setup in the ARC LAB initially to test our WebCam (WETCAM) to monitor the ARC and Fish. Thanks to all student for a great days work... there will be a little extra in your presents from Santa this year- well a can of coca-cola!

Clean

Hosed (using tank water) the inside of the ARC. Swept gravel and rocks from doorway. Continued to drain Tanks 6 & 7 (Yabbie Tank)

Trout Fingerling Order

Hi guys
Wadalba Community School would like to place an order for 300 Rainbow Trout Fingerlings for late March pick-up. We run an aquaculture education research centre within the school with commercial quality recirculation equipment.
Our recirculation water temps are expected to be suitable for the introduction of Trout fingerlings during March/April.
We will phone to arrange pick-up and use our own container and oxygen to transport the fingerlings back to Wadalba. I will arrange a cheque to be drawn by the school to pay at pick-up.
Thanks... let's hope that we don't get high temps. like Jan/Feb 2006.
If you need to contact me during school holiday time please use my Mobile: xxxxxxxxxx

Glenn
.............................................................

Glenn, Re your inquiry regarding 300 Trout fingerlings from the hatchery.
We can't guarantee there will be any fingerlings left by late March as it is quite late in the season. We do not take orders as such as we don't know how many fish we will have at that time, depending on the weather etc. The cost would be $49.50 per 100 Any further enquiries please ring the hatchery 0267759139
Regards, Helen Foster
Clerical Officer

Chrysanthemum Care

All Chrysanthemums were cut/pruned to 30cm in height. More news soon.

Lisarow HS Visit ARC (Excursion)

Planting Time- GIANT Pumpkins/SunFlowers

Mulberry time over. All Mulberries have either been eaten or are past their prime.

Yr9 planted GIANT Pumpkins and Sunflowers today. Fed worms to the fish, cut Chrysanthemums and repaired the Hot House. More herbs- Coriander etc. to be planted soon.
Some weeding started on the Chrysanthemum plots. Need watering and compost.

http://www.atlanticseeds.com.au/

Feed Worms and Fish

Feed Worms (thanks to our office staff for the luchtime leftovers and tea bags) and Fish (Australian Bass/Silver Perch and Yabbies- old peas). Fine tuned flow on recirculation system. Left roller door open to encourage flow of fresh air.

Clean & Maintenance

Drained/Dumped Tanks 1,2 & 5 total 7,600l to remove fowled water. Rinsed and cleaned Tanks 1,2 & 5.
To accomplish this turned off exit valves in Tanks 3-4 and open dump valve to outside to let Tanks 1, 2 & 5 to gravity drain... then Closed valves on Tanks 1,2 & 5 and reopened valves on Tanks 2-3.
Restarted filtration system.
Backwashed filter, topped up sump and added 100 gms of Bi-Carb Soda.
Hosed out ARC using bleach and disinfectant.
Topped up Tank 7 (Yabbies) and Aquarium 1 and 3.
Left roller door partly open to encourage flow of fresh air.

Time for action!!

Mulberry Jam time...
For every kilo of mulberries, the juice of 1 lemon and 500g of caster sugar... mmmmmmmm!

Time for action on our Chrysanthemums...
http://members.optusnet.com.au/nskeen/2.htm

Clean-Up

System turned off and Australian Bass tanks (3-4) isolated. All dead Trout removed. Tanks 1-2 drained to dump, scrubbed and rinsed. System backwashed and rinsed. Tanks 1-2 isolated and tanks 3-4 brought back online. Several Bass were lost the rest responded to clean and fresh water.