Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding How Much To Feed?

Alright I have my new Texas Hunter Feeder and my Aquamax 500, now can someone give me an idea how much to feed and how this equates to run time on this feeder?

I have a new five acre pond with 3000 BG, 1000 RESF and 50lbs of FHM.

Thanks for the help,
Pat

Adjust time until all food is gone around 15 minutes of being dropped in water

Pat, IMO observation is the key to pond management if you are fortunate to monitor trial and result on frequent basis.

I don’t pay much attention to pound of feed per second or how much feed consumed in a specific time period, but by observation.
How vigorous feeding?
Time of day feed schedule on seasonal basis?
Feed consumed vs. waste on bank?
Too many variables for blanket advice.

When on site, the best way for me to determine amount of feed per second is to mark feed level and fill above mark with 10 lbs of feed.
Set TH feeder on 10 second feed time based on your daily feeding schedule - when feed level returns to mark do the math.

It’s been a number of years since I ran this test for AQMX 600, IIRC it was approximately 1.5 lbs/10 seconds.
I suspect different TH feeders will have differing feed amount due to spin plate adjustment.

Good luck feeding for maximum growth
George Glazener

The guys are right on this. It all depends on how many fish you have eating what time of year it is and a lot of stuff.

For example in March I was only feeding 1 second once a day. End of March I went to 1 second twice a day 1 at night and one in the morning. Now I am at 2 seconds in the morning and 1 second at night. It will also depend on how many fish are on beds and away from feeder and won't leave their bed to come feed. Just kinda have to play it by ear so to speak.

RC

I'm with George. I feed by hand, rather than use a mechanical feeder, but in either case I think observation is paramount to achieving success without wasting feed or contributing to sub-optimal water quality issues.

When it comes to feeding, I consider the 15 minute rule to be a starting off point....it needs to be adjusted as necessary. I don't believe in reducing a subject as prone to fluctuation like feeding usually is, to a rigid, mathematical style formula.

Feeder runs for (X) seconds, x (Y) lbs. of feed, x (Z) times daily, = 2 pound bluegills. I just don't see that. Too many variables.

If I were you, I would spend some time at my pond watching the feeder, and the fish. Let them tell you what they want. You should be able to get a rough idea of how much feed to give them, and you can set the timer accordingly. I don't think a feeder will ever match eyes-on hand feeding for flexibility, but you should get close.

Thanks so much for the help guys, This tells me where I need to start.

OMC, a couple more comments I might add to the great advice you've already received. AM 500 should be the correct, but depending on the size of the fish you got, you may have some that aren't big enough to eat it yet. In a few months, they will be so don't get discouraged if they just peck at it for a while. They'll quickly grow into it, and you can adjust feedings as needed.

I also pass on the 15 minute rule, but I do it because of my prevailing wind. Sprkplug said it perfectly, "Let them tell you what they want".

I just stocked small fish in virgin water. They can't hit the pellets and gone in one bite. I can stand there for 40 min and watch them work away at the feed. Definitely watch your fish feed and give them what they need. I think the big fish can clean it up much faster, but the point is not to have feed go uneaten by the fish and become another issue.

Guys I am way late coming to this thread but hope somebody out there has an answer for me.

I just bought some high protein pellets at the hatchery. They sink. How do I know when the fish have consumed the food within 15 minutes? I can't see them!

That's the same problem I had, and now only throw floating pellets. I don't have an answer for ya, sorry.

What's the water temp?

I haven't checked the temp but I am sure it is too cold to feed anymore this fall. I just threw a handful to check it out a day or two after I put in the PS and YP. I saw that it sank and said "what the heck!"

Bill, I have an answer for you. There is no way that you can tell whether sinking pellets get eaten. Well, maybe with an under water camera.