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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
First of all, I am a newbie and have been reading everything I can get a hold of. I am starting a new business. Aquaculture. I am going to raise and sell threadfin shad in Oklahoma. I have 30 acres of land with multiple water wells. I am in the process of laying out the land to build ponds. I need help in the following categories:
Pond size # of ponds to yield ~ 4K shad a week fertilization aeriation holding and transportation (1.5 hrs max on transport)
Up front I admit I know very little and bow down to you experts for assistance.
Thanks
Brad
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,615 Likes: 5 |
Hello Brad and welcome to Pond Boss. Hang on and one of the experts should be along to give you some feedback.
JHAP ~~~~~~~~~~ "My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." ...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
Brad
Welcome to the forum you will love this place. First. Have you checked your soil? How well will it hold water?
The pond size will be determined on the lay of the land and what mother nature has to offer. You might save a lot of money on construction if you can build the ponds to take advantage of the topography of the land.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Slightly sloping land. Mostly clay. Thanks to all for the nice words!
Brad
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,261
Ambassador Lunker
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Ambassador Lunker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,261 |
assuming yer soil holds water, learn everything you can about threadfin, what they eat, where they like to eat it, where they prefer to proliferate, etc....concentrate on the forage and habitat and the fish will do right by you...
GSF are people too!
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Dave,
I have been digesting everything I can get my hands on. If anyone has any good info they can throw my way, I would appreciate it!
Brad
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973
Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,973 |
I was TA for aquaculture class. I remember the biggest problem with aquaculture was guess what? Most guys get into it because they like doing work independant, like farming , etc. They follow techniques described in books, etc. They follow spredsheet of overhead, variable cost, etc.
However most fail to identify their market. I hope you got one lined up. Know it well see what time of year you need to have fish ready, how much supply do you need to match your demand, etc. Good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,536 Likes: 279
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,536 Likes: 279 |
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Thanks again all. Currently no ponds. New start up business. I have a business plan that outlines customer base, competitors, marketing, etc. And my preliminary guess as to the number of shad needed is 4K a week Year round.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
Hi RM
Welcome aboard! The only reason I'm responding to this is because I am a business developer and I love hearing when a guy resolves to, despite the risks, start his own business.
I would listen very carefully to everyone on this site - you've already have several legends in their disciplines weigh in. All I have to offer is a little advice: learn everything you can before beginning your real efforts of engaging in business - study, research, talk to everyone then when you can't keep your eyes open research some more. Here's a little encouragement: The freedom is worth the endless effort of beginning your business - and when you experience success it tastes sweeter than anything you'll likely experience again.
Good luck and keep us in the loop. Lot's of pondmeisters with a love for LMB probably could use your services once you're up and running.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
Hey RM
Might have an order for one of your tanks...feel free to PM me - I've been looking for something for a long time and can't find anything online. You need some SEO to come up under "fish hauling tanks" - these would work as fish hauling tanks....yes?
TJ
Last edited by teehjaeh57; 06/15/09 03:54 PM.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
PM sent. I offer tanks from 20 gallon up to 10,000 gallon!
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
What type of diffusers do you recommed for 40 gallon tanks? I will be pumping in oxygen.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23
Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,099 Likes: 23 |
Ultrfine ceramic---about $250 each---be careful not to oversaturate and burn gills.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Wow, I was thinking about spending 50 bucks each or so. Im gonna need 20+ of these things.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
I bought two of these as they were the best I could find...Rex do you think these are of any quality? So far, I'm really happy with the fine bubbles they create: http://www.fisho2go.com/ceramic.htm
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
I like those and think they would work well for my applications. Thanks!
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69
Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
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Chairman, Pond Boss Legacy award; Moderator; field correspondent Lunker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,800 Likes: 69 |
I use two of the shorter, KA975 models for a 50G tank because they were on backorder for the KA9100 model. I think one KA9100 per 40G tank would be plenty - but again, I am no fishery biologist I simply use them to stock GSH, FH, and transport small qtys of BG, RES, etc.
Rainman, Cecil Baird, Bruce Condello, et al...all can provide far better insight into this process than I and they're really nice guys.
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. ~ Henry David Thoreau
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,086
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,086 |
Rm,welcome aboard.If you read and learn everything posted on here you will be a fish genius.Unfortunatly,you'll also be old,fat and blind from sitting in front of your computer for the next 20 years.Just kidding.Glad you found us,and your doing good by coming to the best for your reseach.As was said,do more research,then do some more.I run my own business as well,and its tough getting started,but lots of satisfaction as well.Best of luck to you.
I subscribe Some days you get the dog,and some days he gets you.Every dog has his day,and sometimes he has two!
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Tom,
Im already old and fat. No probs with the eyes thus far! Thanks for the advice. Im reading as much as I can.
Brad
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,074 |
Brad You have fit in real well, keep us posted.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Thanks I will! Any tips on building hauling equipment. I am designing some of my own.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,090 Likes: 285
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,090 Likes: 285 |
A couple of thoughts regarding year round stocking/business. TF Shad don't survive really cold water temps. Also, I don't know the upper limit on summer water temps on introducing them but you can lose them pretty quickly when you stock any fish without a lot of acclimation.
Year round might be a character builder.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27 |
Thanks Dave! I plan on heating my ponds where and when practical. Here in S. Oklahoma we dont have many winters where the water will fall below 45 degrees, however when it does I plan on being prepared. Now the acclimation part, im gonna have to study.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
Fingerling
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Fingerling
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1 |
I am going out on a limb here but, is your estimate of 4k shad needed per week a misprint or typo? I ask because I routinely buy FH in bags at Anderson's and they estimate 2k per bag in the small size. If you got $5/lb out of them (you probably won't) that would be $30/bag x 2 = $60 for 4k minnows. If you meant 4k POUNDS of shad per week you'd probably eventually begin to realize a profit. Just for perspective, the Anderson family will openly tell you they went broke several times before figuring out how to make minnows a profitable business. As several have said, research, research and research all the factors..especially the market. Having said all that, I sincerely hope you succeed!
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