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#491958 06/16/18 08:50 AM
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Yesterday I picked a sack of Aquamax 500 to hand feed my fish instead of the Game Fish Chow I was using. That's the smallest size our Co-op carries. What I've found out is that the smaller fish have a really hard time eating it.
1) Because of its consistent larger size and 2) Because it doesn't saturate and sink for some time. The GFC has a mix of sizes and the smaller pellets often sink almost immediately and the predominantly smaller fish can access it better.

I would rather use the AM, because of the higher protein, but if the YOY and fry can't eat it, it's going to waist.

Should I try mixing the two, or hydrate the AM first? Even after it softens some, it seems the smaller fish still aren't getting much of it.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Try AquaMax MVP. It has pellets in multiple sizes as well as a high protein content. Around 40%, I believe.

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I just dropped nearly $50 on a 50# sack of 500, and I still have nearly 20# of GFC left. Maybe when I get this 70# of feed used up....if I can get MVP. I would think if they don't carry it, they should be able to order me a bag.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Have y’all tried Cargill 4512 ? 45% protein and the fish love it

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MVP is so hard to obtain around here, I quit trying. The local Coop says it is special order, and if you put in an order, they keep forgetting it, and you might get it in several weeks if you hound them, and pay $40 per bag. The best thing available around here is the TSC multi species at about $13 per 25 pound bag. I may just feed catfish pellets at $20 per 50 pounds and call it good.

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Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Have y’all tried Cargill 4512 ? 45% protein and the fish love it


How much does that cost, Pat? A 40 lb sack of BG Optimal runs $50, though they have a special on now at $45. That includes delivery.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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My experience with supplimental feeding is a new and ever growing learning curve.

I have Purina brand readily available thru my local feed store and the AM is high protein enough for my gang of mutts. The YOY and new fry won't grow as fast, but once they're up in size they can naturally switch to the bigger feed. I'll just mix the two as I go, probably 25%AM/75%GFC to start and adjust as time goes by until I can get my Black Soldier Fly generator going (hopefully next spring).

Once I'm producing larva, which are 42% protein/35% fat, that's all I'll feed them. The supply will be ample and my only ongoing expense will be slop. They can be dried or frozen for storage, but I think, from what I've read and understand, I'll be able to feed the fish well with fresh daily supplies. I strictly hand feed because my pond isn't big enough (IMO) to warrant the expense of a feeder.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Black Soldier Fly plan sounds like a blast! I've heard that they tend to keep nuisance flies away, another benefit.


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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Yup!! I've read that too. BSF are the new frontier of organic farming. They've been used for chicken and hog feed for a while. Just depends on how big you wanna go. There are factories now that are 100% dedicated to BSF larva based feed production. They dry them, grind them into meel and package it. I may have to buy a dehydator and coffee grinder to make my own meel for fry and YOY.

So far, no detrimental environmental issues have been identified. A small generator can produce up to a quart of "grubs" a day. That should work for me just fine! If they can at least reduce the deer fly problem, I'll be real happy. They bad round here!!

Probably the only non-nuisance insect around. We've got plenty around here with two horse sables close by. I can't argue with 42% protien and 35% fat. The results should be outstanding. I can see 2# GSF lurking in my pond already!! Maybe even a couple massive bull bream and shellcrackers.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Sounds great, Mike. I only wonder if there are components of fish meal that soldier fly larvae do not supply. Taurine, maybe? confused


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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Cargill 4512 runs 39$ a 50# bag at Overtons ,and it’s always fresh, I understand that Flame gets it cheaper in your neck of the woods . Might send him a pm. I really like the results of the 4512 feed

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Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Cargill 4512 runs 39$ a 50# bag at Overtons ,and it’s always fresh, I understand that Flame gets it cheaper in your neck of the woods . Might send him a pm. I really like the results of the 4512 feed


Pat, does that price include delivery?


7ac 2015 CNBG RES FHM 2016 TP FLMB 2017 NLMB GSH L 2018 TP & 70 HSB PK 2019 TP RBT 2020 TFS TP 25 HSB 250 F1,L,RBT -206 2021 TFS TP GSH L,-312 2022 GSH TP CR TFS RBT -234, 2023 BG TP TFS NLMB, -160




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Originally Posted By: John Fitzgerald
MVP is so hard to obtain around here, I quit trying. The local Coop says it is special order, and if you put in an order, they keep forgetting it, and you might get it in several weeks if you hound them, and pay $40 per bag. The best thing available around here is the TSC multi species at about $13 per 25 pound bag. I may just feed catfish pellets at $20 per 50 pounds and call it good.

John I used that feed from TSC and got horrible results. Went to cargill 4512 and it was amazing how fast the turnaround was

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Originally Posted By: anthropic
[quote=Pat Williamson]Cargill 4512 runs 39$ a 50# bag at Overtons ,and it’s always fresh, I understand that Flame gets it cheaper in your neck of the woods . Might send him a pm. I really like the results of the 4512 feed


Pat, does that price include delivery? [/quote

I pick it up at overtons fishery

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Anthropic

I'd be lying if I told you I knew for sure, but from what I've read and saw on video so far, I'm thinking they're a fairly balanced diet. Obviously, I still have some research to do.

I fed today with a mix of both feeds, but the fish didn't show up like they usually do. I think the weather trying to change has put them off a bit, so couldn't really get a good feel for my blending.

Last edited by Mike Whatley; 06/16/18 11:52 PM.

.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Originally Posted By: Pat Williamson
Originally Posted By: John Fitzgerald
MVP is so hard to obtain around here, I quit trying. The local Coop says it is special order, and if you put in an order, they keep forgetting it, and you might get it in several weeks if you hound them, and pay $40 per bag. The best thing available around here is the TSC multi species at about $13 per 25 pound bag. I may just feed catfish pellets at $20 per 50 pounds and call it good.

John I used that feed from TSC and got horrible results. Went to cargill 4512 and it was amazing how fast the turnaround was


Can you relate what you saw regarding the TSC chow? I'm trying to justify Purina GFC
Over the TSC multi species.
Thanks!


Half acre 30 year old farm pond, Mebane NC. Aeration & feeder.
LMB, CC, SC, BG, HBC, two no account welfare carp and nine seasonal Tilapia that all the other fish are terrified of.

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Have had good success mixing various sizes of AM with GFC for years. It does depend on goals and situation/methods however.
















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My BG attack the TSC food in a frenzy, just like they did with Optimal. My goal now is only to get a one pound BG, since I cannot overwinter CC. Cannot justify expensive feed with all the predation from herons and otters, plus my ponds are probably too small at 1/4 acre each to produce BG any larger than one pound. My next food is going to be a bag of CC pellets.

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I have two ponds just over 1 surface acre each. One is strictly stocked with hybrid catfish and the other is stocked with BG and LMB. I put 300 hybrid catfish in the catfish pond and they love the tractor supply feed. (sportsman floating catfish feed). It took them about two weeks to really get used to the automatic feeder. I hand feed AquaMax in the bass pond and they eat it ok but will not touch the TSC stuff at all. I'm going to keep experimenting with different feeds until I can find something that works with the fish and my pocket book. I'm very excited to see what the hybrid catfish look like this time next year.

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I for one am glad to hear someone has been using that blend with good results. That's what I intend to continue with.

My pond isn't big either, actually only about .1 acre surface area at roughly 66' square. But it is pretty deep with a max of 12' and real steep sides. Guessing at an average depth of 10'. That puts me at around 1 ac/ft and 326k gallons (If I did the math right). Once I've got my aeration system in place I think it'll be big enough to produce some really nice fish. I'm not shooting for anything in particular, just nice eating size fish. If I get a couple of pounders, great, but my goal is to be able to harvest 9-10 inch fish. My top predator base is currently 3 10-12" LMB and some BHC. They've got lots to eat at the moment. Just need to keep the little ones coming up.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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Clay

When I fed the multi species fed from TSC the fish would eat it but not with the gusto that they do with the 4512. They were skinny and hollow belly looking. As soon as I started feeding the 4512 they went ape over it. Within a week or so they thickened up an look really really good. That’s what I got going on so I’m happy

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My BG are fat on the TSC multi species food. Maybe you picked up a bad lot.

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Originally Posted By: Mike Whatley
I for one am glad to hear someone has been using that blend with good results. That's what I intend to continue with.

My pond isn't big either, actually only about .1 acre surface area at roughly 66' square. But it is pretty deep with a max of 12' and real steep sides. Guessing at an average depth of 10'. That puts me at around 1 ac/ft and 326k gallons (If I did the math right). Once I've got my aeration system in place I think it'll be big enough to produce some really nice fish. I'm not shooting for anything in particular, just nice eating size fish. If I get a couple of pounders, great, but my goal is to be able to harvest 9-10 inch fish. My top predator base is currently 3 10-12" LMB and some BHC. They've got lots to eat at the moment. Just need to keep the little ones coming up.


If your idea is food production you might want to keep predators minimal and focus on you being the primary predator by removing lots of fish for the table. If you pour the feed to BG they will grow fast and if you remove lots of them to eat that will keep the total standing crop pounds to manageable levels.

Essentially turning the pond into more of a feedlot type situation with the added benefit of some fast action angling.

Edit: We removed and filleted over 400 BG last year from our main 3 acre pond (not to mention numerous CC). I don't think we made a dent in them. I've fed quite a lot of Purena Game Chow (when I could not get Aquamax) as well as the competitive Sportsman Choice equivalent and it is decent enough feed. The more expensive stuff is just better.

Last edited by snrub; 06/17/18 04:22 PM.

John

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My predator base isn't huge with only 3 LMB. I don't know how many BHC are out there, but any I catch get removed, but I'd say I'm stuck with those. I'm feeding what the mutts can eat in 15 minutes or so. If they're off, I don't feed as much. They've been off the last couple of days. They look good tho, big fat bellies on those I've caught.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
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John F
PM Flame and ask him how he likes 4512 compared to other brands, he has some football shaped fish

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