Chemicals are our FRIENDS

Our Chrysanthemum crop this year is disappointing... At this stage it looks as though we will not have plants that will be salable for Mothers Day. Flower buds are developing, however plant vigor is unsatisfactory.

Plants, showing signs of stress were susceptible to caterpillar and aphid attack and were sprayed with 'Natural Pyrethrum' today. Plants were also given their 2 week fertiliser with 'Thrive'.

Options:

• Plant out the current Chrysanthemums potted plants with the intention to sell 'cut flowers' in 2007 to recoup funds?
• Sell Roses as a substitute to enable sales and make profit to cover costs and assist the ARC?

WHAT do you think?

Product Name: Sharp Shooter Natural Pyrethrum Timed Release Insect SprayActive Constituent/s: 1.2 g/L piperonyl butoxide, 0.3 g/L pyrethrinsApplicant Name: Ausgro Technologies Pty LtdApplicant ACN: 062 891 123Summary of Use: Ready to use insecticide for use in the home garden.Date of Registration: 30 October 2001Label Approval No: 53647/1001
http://www.apvma.gov.au/

SMARTtrain
http://www.lg.tafensw.edu.au/smarttrain/default.htm

Thrive:
http://www.yates.com.au/Products/Fertilising/WaterSoluble/Thrivesolubleallpurp.asp

Filled Tanks 1 & 2 (3300l ea)

In preparation for our 'Trout Season' Tanks 1 & 2 were filled from our rainwater tank. The tank was close to full and rain is predicted???? This leaves us vulnerable if good rain does NOT fall soon! Thanks to Peter, Corey & for their work in the ARC?
At 24C the water is too warm for the introduction of Trout. We are waiting for the water temperature to fall and stay below 18C before the Trout are sourced from Ebor. We are investigating methods to artificially cool the water to extend the total growing season.

ARC Work

'Pinch' growing tip from Chrysanthemums plants
Fertilise and water Chrysanthemums
Begin filling Tank2 (3300l)
Australian Bass Fed well
Added WWW- Wadalba Worm Wee to plant water reservoir

Follow-up to Water Test

pH testing of Tanks 3-5 produced 6.2 this morning. You can do the Maths!

Cleaned Risers, filter basket, backwashed, adjusted biofilters and added more material to biofilter 1.

Slowed water flow to biofilter 2 to equalise flow between the 2 biofilters. Added Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter to biofilters

Fish fed well. Added a further 200g of Bi-Carb Soda to sump...

** WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NEW pH reading will be?

*** Water Chrysanthemums from reservoir (with the secrete ingredient- WWW?)

Water Test

Mr Harris's Yr9 AT class and Peter tested Tanks 3-5...
pH 4.2
Temp 28°C

Water quality: pH neutral to alkaline, moderately to quite hard water, a little salt can be added
Temperature: 4 to 28°C

The recirculation system is running approx 3,500l (total capacity 10,600l when in full production- all Tanks 1-5) including water in sump/biofilter/foam fractionator.

Water quality and conditions: Bass can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, from quite acidic to very alkaline pH, moderately to very hard water, and quite high salt levels. Although the need to reduce stress results in control of pH and the addition of chemicals to attempt to stabilise pH to neutral 7.0!

* The gradual addition of Bi-Carb Soda will increase pH from 4.2 towards a value 7.0+. Initially 200g was added to the sump.
* see later postings for updates on pH changes.

WHAT pH DO YOU THINK THE ADDITION OF 200g WILL RESULT IN? ** Pls comment **

Further info @...
http://www.adelaideaquariums.com.au/faqs/freshwater/fish/perches/austbass.html

Yr9 AT Management Team Jobs

Feeding Fish Stock
Fertilising Chrysanthemums
Cleaning Aquarium, replace 1/3 water, vacuum Aquarium bottom to remove excess food. Add Bass

Yr10 AT Class Activity

Photos taken of Recirculation System components including Risers, Filter Basket, Bio-Filter, Foam Fractionator, Sand/Zeolite Filter and Ultravioloet Steriliser for class project.

Planting Bed 2 covered with shade cloth and Chrysanthemums transfered from shade area behind ARC to Planting Bed 2.

Full description of lesson available at...
www.calendar.yahoo.com/tasksandprojects

Reluctant Feeders

Bass still reluctant to feed. Cleaned ARC ready for TAFE inspection later this week.

Aquarium 2 and 5 leaked when test filled last week. Emptied and moved off bench for repair- silicon gun!

Transfer of Bass from CCAF/MPG's to ARC

This morning XXX Australian Bass were transported from CCAF MPG's to Wadalba ARC. Students will care and grow out the Bass for CCAF. All Bass survived the quick trip from Kariong to Wadalba and acclimatised quickly to the recirculation system.

System Clean- Risers flushed clean, backwash and refill of sump. The Foam Fractionator was recommissioned to remove 'scum' excess protein from the system.

NEW Pump fitted to Foam Fractionator

Thanks to our new 'farm hand'... Mr Godwin, the replacement pump has been fitted to the foam fractionator.

Management Team ARC Jobs

Raining

• Drain and move Worm Wee to Reservoir to assist in fertilising Chrysanthemums
• Feed Bass- no dead fish, tank clean
• Drain Aquarium 2- leak. Will need to reseal with silicon
• Covered Garden Plot 1 with shade cloth to later move Chrysanthemums in full sun, easy watering
• Fed Worms
  

What is the secret ingredient?

Water from our reservoir used to water Chrysanthemums (Management Team 2/3).
When the recirculation system is backwashed we loose approx 100l which is stored in the external reservoir. This water is 'rich' in nutrients and we also add a secret ingredient- Wadalba Worm Wee (WWW) from the Worm Farm. The 100l of lost water is replaced with rainwater from our tank.
System Backwashed (Management Team 1), Worm Farm readied for castings to be removed (Joel), ARC swept (thanks guys), Aquariums in LAB filled, Mulberry Tree watered by siphoning water from Tank 6 (we were a bit worried the Mulberry tree which has lost leaves and the ground is very dry).

**Wadalba ARC 2006 Fish Futures Announced**

Special Trout Fish Futures will be released soon!

We need ‘investors’ to buy fish futures NOW which will give us money to purchase and feed the fish until November (Harvest time). The FF investor will NOT get their fish until almost 8 months after they pay for them. So what’s in it for the investor?
Ideas…
- special privilages, visit the farm to see their fish grow
- they need to trust us or have a contract (Fish Future Certificate) that assures them they will get their product
- Charge a discount price now that is WELL BELOW the expected price in November!

Going Potty?

Chrysanthemums were shipped from Queensland last Wednesday night... however they only arrived Monday! We were beginning to worry as temps have been warm to hot. They not only survived but were in excellent condition.
Our team of experts including Bec, Meegan and Corey were assisted by our NEW recruits Rachel & Alexis and we managed to pot half the Chrysies using 10 25l bags of organic compost/potting mix. The remaining plants will be potted by Yr10 & Yr9 AT class Wednesday.
* Bec and Meegan have run the project since 2002 and now that they are in Yr12 they are training Yr7 volunteers to become the next 'flower people'.
(photos to come)

Planning for 2006

Chrysanthemums: February through to mothers day
Lettuce: plan, construct, secure hydroponics etc.
Trout: Easter (when water temp has dropped to <16) through to November
Pumpkins: August
Herbs: September

Now: Refill/Test and ready aquariums
Eels, Porters Crteek Yabbie, Frogs, Worms etc.

Clean, Feed and Check

Tanks 3-5. Cleaned Risers, Backwashed and Rinsed Filter, Cleaned Filter Basket added 200l of tank water to system to replace backwash. All Bass well.
Risers and bottom of tanks particularly dirtywith scum/algae?

Clean, Feed and Check

Tanks 3-5. Cleaned Risers, Backwashed and Rinsed Filter, Cleaned Filter Basket added 200l of tank water to system to replace backwash. All Bass well.
Risers and bottom of tanks particularly dirtywith scum/algae?

Clean, Feed and Check

Tanks 3-5. Cleaned Risers, Backwashed and Rinsed Filter, Cleaned Filter Basket added 200l of tank water to system to replace backwash. All Bass well.Risers and bottom of tanks particularly dirtywith scum/algae?

Sunday Telegraph Feature- WOOF!

Unfortunately WCS missed out on a grant that would have enabled to continued growth of the ARC and school. We had applied for a Commonwealth Government Grant to:

• secure the area from vandalism and theft
• build a shed (to extend the holding capacity of fish and enable temperature control of tanks) and a garage to securely house our bus
• a bus (small 22 seater) to reduce the costs associated with the weekly transport of students to events and excursions
• concrete floor for the shed
• additional water storage

Sunday Telegraph Photo Shoot

The Sunday Telegraph conducted a photo-shoot of the ARC and the school to enable a feature article to be published on NSW schools that missed out OR were lucky enough to gain commonwealth funding.
Thanks to Eden, Johnno, Amber, Smida, Justin, Josh, Georgia & Mr Bliim and their families.