Fish

As part of my early mid life crisis (plus a resources slump) I went of teaching science at a country high school. One of the most enjoyable component for me was I was allowed to teach aquaculture. Below is the feeding procedure we used when I high tailed back off to Perth to catch up with my girlfriend and left students in charge to feed. I tender the photo below as a measure of our success. I would like to try the aquaponics in the back yard now to grow herbs.

FISH FEEDING PROCEDURE

· Fish are generally fed twice a day. They are used to about 8:30am and between 3:30pm and 5pm.
· Currently (beginning of July) they are being fed between 75g and 100g pellets per feeding session.
· 100g works out to be approximately 200ml in the plastic beaker provided with the pellets (25g per 50ml). There are approximately 600 pellets per 100gms.
· Throw the feed out in small handfuls, and observe the feeding activity between each handful. Stop feeding them when the activity slows down.
· Record the temperature (thermometer on weldmesh bench inside enclosure) at the time of feeding.
· All records to be noted on sheet in blue file (currently kept in grey plastic bag wedged behind pole near door).
· If you miss a feeding do not try to make up the food amount. It will not harm them to miss a feed or two, and there will be less cleaning as a result.
CLEANING
· Clean the floor when build up of brown waste on tank becomes noticeable (approximately every 3 days, but this depends on feeding rates). This is done by starting a siphon with the hose attached to the aluminium pole and vacuuming the floor. It is easier to turn off the pumps while doing this to see the bottom. Replace the water by turning on the red tap while siphoning.
· It is also useful to drain the biofilter about once a week by turning off the pump and pulling it out of the water. It will then drain out, and you can clean the pre-filter of the pump during this time. Just pull it apart and wash under tap at sink outside.