Originally posted by d.miller:
Cecil, I was wandering if you are aerating your cages, and with what. My pond (1 acre) is aerated 24/7 although my cages are located about 25yds. from the bubbles, I wonder if aerating directly in the cage would be better. The netting I used has 1/2 in. holes and I'm woried about the circulation of fresh water through the cage. With water temps. warming I plan on raising the cages to the surface this weekend.
No, I do not aerate my cages but they are set up over fairly deep water and my pond is out in the open for good wind coverage. I have pulled my cages over a diffuser bubbler to clean the bottom, but it seem to stress the fish. They stop feeding for a while. I think the ultimate setup would be to have them near enough to the bubbler to allow some water movement through but not right on top of the bubbler.
I have my cages near my 70 ft. pier and once a week go down each side with a stiff push broom to clear off the algae. The pier really makes it nice. I had one producer tell me of someone using an airlift to create movement in cages to reduce the algae growth.
I sink my cages in the off season for fish structure )mark them with a nylon rope with a jug tied to it), and then bring them up just before I need them. They are not unsightly laying on the bottom, serve a purpose, and there is less UV damage underwater. Is that what you do?
