Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Feeding just received my feeder.....need a little advice..

Hey guys,

I just received my stren feeder (btw thanks for all the help greg) and have a couple of questions:

1. How frequently should I set it to feed?

2. How long of a duration should I set for it?

My pond is 7 acres and was just recently stocked with bass....(the coppernosed bg were done this past fall) so the fish are relatively small but I want to get the most "bang for my buck" so to speak.

BTW....I have bought the purina 32% protein fish food floating pellets. Hopefully they'll take a liking to it quickly.

I plan on setting the feeder up halfway on the dam so it'll receive plenty of sunlight to recharge itself and it'll be easily accessible to refill.

Any suggestions/tips/advice as to how to set it up, program it, etc would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-lee-

lee snet you an email but here's the info I send you:
Setup for two feedings, 3 secs until the fish find it. Then have 4 feedings during the spring until it gets hot in the summer then only early and late. Then back up to 4 feedings in the fall b/f shutting it down for the winter. Adjust the duration times so that all food is gone in 15 mins or less.

You may need to add a second feed station on a 7 acre lake. Also did you get 32% Purina game fish chow? The reason I ask is that Purina makes several choices the game chow version has several feed sizes that will be better for your smaller bluegill.

greg,

I've got a 32% purina fish feed that is small pellets but it doesn't actually say "fish chow" on the bag. I'll check this afternoon and see what the bag says as far as part numbers or id numbers etc.... thanks again for all the help.

-lee-

Lee
I have an 8 acre lake and use 2 feeders and the fish absolutely wear out the food as soon as the feeders go off. I think Greg is right that you might eventually want to add another feeder next year after several successful spawns. I'm considering adding a third feeder at this point. You will be amazed at the growth rates on your bluegill with the feeders.
Bill

lee,
If it doesn't say fish chow it is diff. It is probably fine but check into the fish chow since it does have differnt sizes in the bag.

hey guys,

I just checked the feed and it is labeled. Purina catfish feed 32%......looks like I bought the wrong stuff Is anyone familiar with this feed? They are small pellets and with the high protein I just figured that it was what the bluegill would eat....am I mistaken? My pond has recently been stocked so my fish are pretty small....that's the reason I was wanting a small pellet....

I'll probably go on ahead and feed it to the fish and order the purina fish chow....that is if I can find it regularly.....

thanks again.

-lee-

Lee, The smaller pellets would be better but your fish will gnaw on the side of the pellet. Fatheads will almost get on the bank to gnaw on a pellet. You might also consider Aquamax D509 pellets by Purina. They are smaller than the regular catfish pellets.

Are these pellet sizes listed on the bags? I plan to buy my first bag of feed this week.

Thanks

I expect the pellet sizes are listed on the bag. Although my feed store takes special orders they only commonly stock generic sizes and/or brands. However, all feed stores get weekly or bi-weekly shipments and it should be no problem.

My opinion and it may be worth just what you are paying for it: Unless you are raising fry that need tiny feed and/or doing something exotic, most commercial 32% protien feed will work just fine. The darn stuff softens in water and the small fish chew on it. Just make sure it is fresh. All bags should be dated. Old feed loses its food value and as it dries becomes more sinking than floating. This is more of a problem in the late fall than spring. I mostly use Purina GFC or Aquamax. However, in the late fall the feed stores are closing out their old stock and I sometimes have to change over to Moormans or some other brand. As long as it is not over 3 months old, it seems to work ok. The fish eat it and thrive. If you have questions, most feed stores will cut a hole in the bag and let you examine it. Then they will tape the cut place. Smell it and also feel for oil content. You can tell the difference in old and fresh stuff. The kicker is that the Premium brands and the off brands cost about the same. So, I try to stay with the good stuff. Heck, it all smells like chicken feed.

From the Purina Aquamax handout, here are the pellet sizes and other info by Product Code:

5D00 Powder Sink 50% protien
5D01 .8mm Sink 50%
5d02 1.2mm Sink 50%
5D03 1/16 in. Sink 50%
5D04 3/32 in. Float 45%
5D05 3/16 in Float 41%
5D06 1/4 in Float 41%
5D07 5/16 in Float 32%
5D08 3/16 in Float 32%
5D09 3/16 in. Float 36%

Other info in the bulletin includes amount of fat and fiber in each.

Thanks for the info Dave!