Browse through some of our most frequently asked questions to find possible solutions to your unique situation. We will be adding to this list periodically. If you can’t find the answer here, send your question to info@fwfarms.com.
FISH FARMING
– How to Start Your Own Venture
FOUNTAINS & AERATION
– Winter Care
So, You Are Interested in Fish Farming?
This is our most frequently asked question. We have quite a few inquiries from people that would like to know how to start their own fish farm. Here at Freshwater Farms of Ohio, we offer consulting services. Unfortunately, our services don’t really come into play until your new fish farm is at the commercial level. First, you will need a feasability study to assess your specific situation, resources and help in finding the economical approach that is right for your particular needs. We recommend that you do a lot of research and join some associations that will help align you with the resources to get you started.
Here are some important resources:
1) www.aquanic.org (Aquaculture Network Information Center)
2) Contact aquaculture extension personnel, Matthew Smith, at Ohio State University: smith.11460@osu.edu
3) Contact and join the Ohio Aquaculture Association for informative workshops and networking.
4) Become a member of the Ohio Aquaculture Association.
For a membership application, go to http://ohioaquaculture.org/membership.html.
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Winter Care/Operation for WaterSmith Fountains
One common question I get from our customers in colder climates is about winter care for their WaterSmith pond fountain, and other types of surface fountains and aerators. The two basic options are to remove the fountain from the pond, or to run it continuously all winter long.
If you want to run your WaterSmith fountain in the winter, we recommend removing the nozzle pattern from the top of the fountain, which will give you a lower, heavy column of water. This will reduce exposure to the cold air and reduce mist to prevent ice build-up on the top of the fountain.
If your fountain stops operating for an extended period of time, for example during a power outage, the water inside the top of the fountain nozzle may freeze and prevent water from coming out. At this point, you will probably have to wait for some warmer, sunny days to thaw the ice enough for the water to start coming through, which should melt the rest of the ice blockage fairly quickly.
The benefits of keeping your fountain going through the winter is keeping an opening in the ice, allowing for oxygenation of the pond to protect your fish, and providing an area of open water for waterfowl to remain and stay protected from predators.
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