Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,075
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,412
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
16 members (DrLuke, JasonInOhio, H20fwler, Theo Gallus, Shorthose, Requa, Justin W, LeighAnn, Bob Lusk, catscratch, Freg, DenaTroyer, Blestfarmpond, Snipe, RAH, Rick O), 820 guests, and 205 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#487261 03/15/18 11:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
I currently have a 3 acre pond with LMB, BG, crappie and gizzard shad. My LMB are few in numbers with some larger ones but most are slightly below relative weight. I will be re-purposing some clay on my land for something else and plan to create a hatchery pond or two. I would like to put fingerling LMB in one and provide both FHM and supplemental feed so they can get a kick start and grow quick so I can eventually release them in my larger pond. I would also like another hatchery pond to grow more BG to be used to feed the LMB in the 3 acre pond. Question #1, what is the minimum size each hatchery pond should be? Question #2, does anyone have any lessons learned or advise if you have tried something similar? Thanks for the help.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
See this link from our Common Q&A Archive Section for lots of Pond Boss Forum member information about building forage or hatchery ponds.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=487274&#Post487274

Last edited by Bill Cody; 03/16/18 10:19 AM.

aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
The link Bill provided should have most of the info you need.

When I build my next hatchery pond, I'll buy another commercial net that fits my budget first, then build the pond around it. Raising fish is easy, but getting them out in a timely and easily manageable manner often isn't. IF you want to move forage out several times a year, as opposed to long term projects, then I'd always go with a shoe box shaped pond. Most commercial hatchery ponds are shaped that way.


AL

Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 22
Thanks Bill for pointing me in the right direction. FireIsHot, thanks for the tip as well. That makes a lot of sense.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
B
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Ambassador
Field Correspondent
Lunker
B
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110
Likes: 478
One concept not explored here much is the raceway concept similar to what is used by trout growers. Build a long narrow trough with relatively vertical walls. Make it water tight. Use either water pumps or air lift method for moving water through the raceway. Circulate the water from a source pond through the raceway and then back into the source pond. Rate of flow will determine how many fish can be grown in each raceway.


aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine -
America's Journal of Pond Management
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36
R
Offline
R
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 36
Good luck on your pond masterbasser316!

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
S
Offline
S
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 93
Here is a link to a thread that has lots of specialty ponds with several of them being forage ponds. I started this list when I did searches for information about building my forage pond and decided to keep the list up in case others also wanted to see the old threads.

Thread with list of old threads about different types of specialty ponds


John

I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
T
Offline
T
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
I have given some thought on a raceway system to grow some bg along with other types for restocking my pond for hsb and lmb forage. I'm thinking how to get reproduction(if I could) in this type of system. Or is it simply to be used as a grow out only system. Also may need solar power for aeration in this type of raceway system. Like said, been giving it some thought.


Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.


Tracy
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
A
Offline
A
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
Well, Tracy, with you thought tends to lead to action! Should be interesting to see where you end up.


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




Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
T
Offline
T
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
Frank, Just the pond itself has been an interesting ride already smile My thoughts on the raceway was because of possible location along with harvest or transplanting into the existing pond. Another reason was because where I planned on a forage pond wound up being 100% sand from surface to 15' down. Not good for a forage pond where I could lift a lever and drain fish and water into big pond. Once, we discussed fresh water shrimp for lmb forage and a raceway might work with Tp and prawns for forage. Another reason why I have looked into a raceway. I am not sure it can be cost effective because of the necessity to feed Tp and the prawns verses growing out bg. Needs more thought lol


Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.


Tracy
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
A
Offline
A
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 298
The advantage of TP is that they spawn even faster than BG, plus they eat cheaper feed. Also, if you raised prawns (or maybe even PK shrimp) with them, the TP would leave them alone.

The disadvantage, of course, is that TP are seasonal and must be purchased every year


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




Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
The key with tilapia is the much higher survival rate of the yoy. Both tilapia and BG can (not will but can) spawn quickly and often, BG can spawn at 4/5 mths and every 28 days while tilapia also 4 mths and IIRC every 21 days. This assumes proper temp , water quality and food resources. BG usually have higher total yearly offspring numbers but much lower yoy survival rate.
















Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
All fish reared in a hatchery pond have to be removed at some point. Tilapia are like tiny angry ninjas when crowded (as in a seine net), and will beat up BG if they're in the mix. Here at least, tilapia and BG are never mixed in my hatchery pond unless a small number of tilapia are stocked for algae control. Preferably single sex.


Last edited by FireIsHot; 11/05/18 01:42 PM.

AL

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Moderator
Offline
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 288
Originally Posted By: TGW1
Frank, Just the pond itself has been an interesting ride already smile My thoughts on the raceway was because of possible location along with harvest or transplanting into the existing pond. Another reason was because where I planned on a forage pond wound up being 100% sand from surface to 15' down. Not good for a forage pond where I could lift a lever and drain fish and water into big pond. Once, we discussed fresh water shrimp for lmb forage and a raceway might work with Tp and prawns for forage. Another reason why I have looked into a raceway. I am not sure it can be cost effective because of the necessity to feed Tp and the prawns verses growing out bg. Needs more thought lol


Tracy, could you dig a hatchery pond in the sand close to your big pond, and just use a liner? A close proximity to the big pond puts plumbing into play. A gate valve and piping could eliminate big nets and sore backs.

Just a thought. I like spending other people's money.


AL

Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
T
Offline
T
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 57
Al, the pond with the valve thingy is where I was going when I ran into all that sand. smile It was the only place where I could put that system up. I did some looking around and decided the liner was more than I wanted to spend and was thinking I would be repairing holes all the time. I found a pretty good sized used above ground pool at an estate sale but I missed that item when it came up for bid, my bad. As I grow older bathrooms come into play more often, I was in the pottie when the bid came up frown I am not sure a raceway is the way to go either, but I have the perfect place for it where it could easily drain into the big pond. I am a fish guy, been one as far back as I can remember. Fishing or feeding them I really enjoy. But, it may be much cheeper to just buy more forage when needed rather than building and maintaining a raceway. Or have you checked out the price for an excavator lately? smile I have even been considering selling my 427 vet that has very low mileage, driven only a few days per year. Use that money to buy an excavator, but I have that NEED for Speed every once in a while smile

Last edited by TGW1; 11/07/18 07:11 AM.

Do not judge me by the politicians in my City, State or Federal Government.


Tracy

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by esshup - 03/28/24 10:39 AM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by Theo Gallus - 03/28/24 10:27 AM
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 09:42 AM
Alum vs Bentonite/Lathanum for Phosphorus Removal?
by DenaTroyer - 03/28/24 09:38 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/28/24 08:36 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by Justin W - 03/28/24 08:19 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:18 AM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5