The students were eager to help test the water to make sure it keeps our trout safe and healthy. We monitor the water quality two times a week. The students help by counting the drops of each test solution and assisting in determining which color matches the test card indicating the level. 
These were the results we found... ph 7.4, nitrites 0 ppm, ammonia 0 ppm, and nitrates 0 ppm. Looks great so far! As the trout grow, we can expect to see some changes. The students love to see the colors change! They mostly learn that trout need clean water through this and that we can help to keep the water clean for them both in our tank and in the streams!
All the eggs have hatched and I have been
hesitant to post, but are doing well so far! We had 279 trout last week, but have lost a few over the week. Tuesday morning began with a bit of excitement! When I checked the tank in the morning, the temperature read 59.7 degrees which is outside of my comfortable parameters of 42-55 degrees. At first I thought my eyes were surely not seeing it correctly, but a touch of the water in the tank confirmed it was too warm. The chiller had been accumulating ice off and on since last year. I guess I was just hoping it would keep working...needless to say it did not. Thankfully, Larry Winey from Penns Creeks TU had a backup chiller which he brought to the school immediately. We switched the old chiller out and placed the new one in and began to slowly adjust the temperature as to not shock the trout! Yikes... yes, the students have learned through this that the trout need COLD water! Thankfully, we only lost three alevin through this event!
The students wait patiently to get a peek at the changes!
Below you can see the alevin also called sac fry because of the yolk sac that feeds them during this stage of their life cycle! At this point they appear almost dead, until we get too close. Then they scamper to hid under each other. They will remain in the yolk sac stage for approximately 2 weeks. Then the yolk sac will be absorbed which is called "buttoning-up". At that point they will start to swim looking for food. The students are eager for this stage...they are worried about them now. I assure them they are just fine- "fat and happy"- no need to move around when all you need is being provided!
To date we have 265 alevin and the chiller is keeping the tank just right...this experience is never the same! Each year there is a new challenge and a never ending learning experience. Before long we will begin our trout book project. The students are gaining valuable background knowledge and eager to write.
No comments:
Post a Comment