Tracy Page Aquatic Education Coordinator page T 3michigan

Tracy Page Aquatic Education Coordinator page. T 3@michigan. gov

AQUARIUM 101

YOUR AQUARIUM

INITIAL WATER PARAMETERS • 52 degrees: egg – release • GH & KH: 25 ppm - Stability is key – Treat consistently if way off – High alkalinity: dilute with RO water • p. H: 6. 8 -8. 0 - Stability is more important than number – Treat consistently if way off • Ammonia: Zero is always the goal – If reading, you need more bacteria established • Nitrite: Zero is always the goal – If reading, you need more bacteria established • Nitrate: Keep below 40 ppm through water changes – If above 40 ppm, do 10% changes every other day until stable

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrate Water change Nitrite Ammonia Cycling complete zero nitrite

DAILY AND WEEKLY TASKS Daily Tasks • • • Check for mortalities (white eggs = dead) Remove debris Observe behavior Check equipment Feed (after they are buttoned up) Weekly Tasks • • • Test and record water parameters Siphon debris and exchange 25% water Treat new water (prime and/or buffer) Reset food or auto feeder Record feeding in food chart Monthly Tasks • Squeeze out sponge filters • Replace filter material 3 -month Tasks • Back flush chiller

WATER TESTING Keep stable GH & KH Keep stable Optimal 25 ppm

SIPHONING Mark at 25% Watch a good how to video here! https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=V 3 dhg 5 yl. Cn. Q&t=3 s

TROUBLE SHOOTING • Cloudy water – Bacterial bloom: siphon waste, reduce light, replace/flush filters • Green water – Algae bloom: reduce light, scrub glass before water change • Warm water – Chiller failure: add bags of ice, troubleshoot chiller, call customer support, call HVAC expert, replace if needed • Swimming oddly – High ammonia or low oxygen: Test parameters, check bubblers, water change, add airstones • Swimming at top/bottom – Low oxygen: add airstones, water change • Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) – Spinning, swimming on side: rare. Treatment at weir for thiamine deficiency, nothing you can do

END OF YEAR TASKS

DECON

SO THEY SURVIVED ALL YEAR…. NOW WHAT? ?

RELEASE DAY!

Number of Salmon Released 25, 000 21, 000 17, 000 13, 000 9, 000 5, 000 1, 000 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 *

HOW TO SELECT A RELEASE SITE

PREPARATION FOR RELEASE • Release date window – April 15 – May 15 Lower Peninsula – May 1 – June 1 Upper Peninsula • Download and have Stocking Permit • Week before release, adjust chiller to meet stream temp. in tank • Following release, within 14 days complete and return the MANDATORY STOCKING REPORT. This renews you in the program for next year. Release day proceedings • Load fish into buckets of tank water • 25 -50 fish per bucket • Lids on buckets , drill holes for tubing • Aerate water with battery aerators • Load fish immediately before leaving • Release fish first thing at site • Streamside, acclimate the bucket temp. to stream temp. • Place 1 fish per cup, or per bag for kids to release

RELEASE DAY ACTIVITIES

FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

PAUSE FOR A COMMERCIAL BREAK…

• SIC Summit

ACADEMY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Aug. 4 -9 July 14 -19 Scholarships available! SCECHs and Ferris S. U. credits.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Project WILD and Project Learning Tree professional development programs for educators provide expertise in: – Hands-on experiences – Inquiry-based field investigation – NGSS and cross curricular integration – FUN!

DNR VISITOR CENTERS Staffed visitor centers with nature exhibits and trails, education programs and field trips.

STAY CONNECTED Essential Educator MINature. DNR - Facebook www. michigan. gov

THANKS FOR COMING! TRACY PAGE AQUATIC EDUCATION COORDINATOR PAGET 3@MICHIGAN. GOV