Originally posted by Greg Grimes:
Do not believe all you read about them. Apply some common sense to your stocking rates. Hey we even sold a fair amount this year. Deb you still around?
Hey hun I am still here. Sorry I missed this thread. IMHO if I was the owner of a one acre pond with a single goal in mind of making the kids happy (and not putting a lot of effort into the pond), then I would go with a HBG/HSB/gambusia and possible CC mix. Stock the HBG (Georgia Giants or not) at no more than 1000 to the acre with about 200-250 HSB. Make sure of course that the calcium levels in your water will support the HSB. Throw in about 5000 gambusia for a "natural" food source and supplement with a high protein pellet feed. Channel cats are completely up to the customer. The jury is out on that one as they do provide a decent meal as well as acting in a somewhat predatory stance, but they can compete with the bream for the pellet feed, they can muddy the pond bottom, and can grow to a pretty remarkable size over a few years.
It is also good to note that a decent aeration system would come in handy. The south appears to be in a record breaking drought this year and the worse thing you could have happen is a severe drop in water levels leading to increased biomass resulting in a possible dissolved oxygen crash or turnover. Just some food for thought.
BTW, welcome on board and enjoy whatever journey you choose.
Deb
