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Ashland NFWCO
 Midwest Region
 Dedicated To The Tribal Aquaculture ProgramImage of fish jumping.
    June
        2003-Volume 44
**Administrative
        Coordinator:
        Frank G. Stone 
        (715-682-6185) Ext.
        202
        U.S. Fish and
        Wildlife Service
        Email: 
        [email protected]**
      
      **Edited
        By:
        Elizabeth W. Greiff 
        (715-349-2195) Ext. 141
        St. Croix Tribal Nat. Res. Depart.
        Email:**
      **[email protected]** Topics
Of Interest:  New Products Floating or In-ground - 
Portable Raceway's

Wind Powered Aeration for 
Remotely Located Ponds  The MTAN recently attended the 
Wisconsin Aquaculture Conference and Tradeshow held on March 14 & 15 in Stevens 
Point.  Two vendors where presenting aquaculture related equipment that 
have not been previously highlighted in the MTAN.  The information that 
follows was submitted by each vendor.  If you have any questions pertaining 
to the material presented, please use the contacts shown to address these 
issues.  Floating or 
In-ground - Portable RacewayBy:  Jay Warecki, Ph.D., "fish whisperer", Superior Aquaculture, 
LLC.
(715) 335-3474; Fax: (715) 335-6547; 7172 Isherwood Rd., Bancroft, WI 
54921Email: [email protected]
Overview: A new technological advance in high-density aquaculture is 
now available. It opens the door for the use of hundreds of thousands of acres 
of water formerly unsuitable for aquaculture. After five years of research and 
refinement, Superior Aquaculture LLC, with headquarters in central Wisconsin, 
has recently introduced its new line of Superior Floating or In-ground Raceways 
(Patent Pending).
Environmentally 
responsible, financially friendly, and simple, this system provides a unique and 
flexible mechanism for high-density fish rearing. The floating, flow-through 
application shown below uses the economy of air-lift pumps for water movement 
and removes most solids before discharging into pond, which easily handles 
denitrification, dissolved nutrients, and further aeration.
Raceway Size, Shape & Dimensions: Raceways are available in an 
infinite variety of sizes and shapes, including unlimited length. They can be 
wide or narrow, shallow or deep. One example is a 12 ft. x 80 ft. x 3 ft. deep 
model having a long central baffle, and a racetrack flow with a low head 
recirculation system, usable for shrimp production. This unit, like others, can 
be placed in a shallow excavation with bermed sides. Minimal digging, no 
hauling and little or no additional side support is needed.
Standard models are
      trough-shaped, 
      38 x 8 x (4-6)
      deep with capacities of
      6,000-15,000 gallons/raceway
Raceway Construction Material: Superior Raceways are constructed of a 
fish grade, semi-rigid, high-density polyethylene (hdpe) plastic that is 
virtually indestructible and impenetrable when used as described. The material 
is about 1/8 inch thick and treated to resist u.v. radiation. In three years of 
extensive, practical use and testing, the raceways have been exposed to 
muskrats, beavers, otters, snapping turtles, and a host of macro and micro 
organisms. The raceways have been exposed to three years of Wisconsin winters, 
used both normally and shut down, i.e. turned off so that they would freeze 
solid in three foot thick ice. The results? Absolutely zero damage! No cracking, 
chewing, or nibble marks.
When used with widely fluctuating water levels, the raceways simply float up 
or down. The white bottoms, which can turn a light green if not brushed, greatly 
enhance observation of fish behavior, especially in stained or colored waters. 
The dark sides assist small fish in identifying and efficiently collecting feed.
Environmental Issues: Superior Raceways are extremely environmentally 
friendly. Sometimes called "in-pond raceways", the concept evolved from ancient 
cage culture techniques and modern pen culture. Floating raceways are generally 
far superior to cages and pens, depending upon application. In floating, 
flow-through applications, a top water exit, combined with an approximate 1:5 
width-to-length ratio on standard models, allows excellent capture of solids. 
Most uneaten feed and feces settle to the bottom of the trough near the exit, 
where they can be air-lifted out, concentrated in a settling basin and used for 
farm fertilizer. In some cases, the water from the settling basin can be 
discharged to a created wetland.
When used in a closed pond setting, there is zero discharge to the public 
domain. Soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP), ammonia, and some other soluble 
nutrients may leave the raceway, but are very effectively treated by the ponds 
flora and fauna. Water quality within the raceway also remains outstanding. The 
smooth surface of the raceways significantly facilitates cleaning, reduces mouth 
fungus, and improves fish health.
Applications: The technological improvements provided by this system 
have opened the door to innumerable applications. Some primary applications 
include the following types of waters: quarries, gravel pits, open pit mines, 
stump and tree-filled waters, reservoirs, marshes, irrigation ponds, estuaries, 
sheltered coastal waters, rivers, and even sport fishing ponds (because the vast 
majority of the pond is still available for alternative uses). Researchers and 
aquaculturists are invited to "color outside the lines" and to discuss their 
"far-out" applications with the author.
Hatchery Operations: Hatchery operations for both freshwater and 
saltwater finfish, shellfish, aquatic vegetation, and even alligators can gain 
innumerable benefits from these raceways, including: zooplankton production and 
concentration, early stage imprinting, portability to different sites in same 
year, multi-species use in same year, multiple age or strain use in same water 
body, shock reduction caused by water changes or transportation, efficiency of 
small scale hatchery operation related to reduction of emission and discharge 
obstacles, reduction of expensive (shoreline) land costs, reduction of conflict 
with competing coastal resource users, and improved bio-security by local 
production of environmentally proven, locally successful strains (reducing 
inter-zone species movement).
Summary Of Advantages:

Radically customizable
      Economy of operation
      Flow-through, recirc, 
      or 
        hybrid
      Affordable initial cost
      Easily moved
      Improved biosecurity
      Predator control
      Use in ponds, marshes,
      
        quarries, etc.
      High density stocking
      Observation of fish 
      health 
        and feeding
      Floating or in-ground 
      use
      Virtually 
      indestructible 
        plastic
      All climate, year-round 
      use
      Ease of cleaning
      Superior observation of 
      fish
      Ease of cleaning
      Water temperature 
        modification
      Grading and sorting
      Disease and parasite 
      control
      Water quality 
      monitoring
      Sold as a "kit" with or 
        without docks or as turnkey 
        operation
      Professional technical 
        support
      Very long life (all plastic 
        and stainless)
      Back-up alarms, telephone 
        alerts, etc.
      Greenhouse erection
      Boat dockage/entertainment
      Professional 
      technical 
        support options
      Divisions within a 
      raceway
      Easy movement; raceways
      
        rollup
      Variety of fish species



Wind Powered Aeration for Remotely Located PondsBy:Mike Kispert, 
(920)
846-9917,Email:[email protected]Morgan 
Winds LLC is a supplier of aeration systems; their primary products are the 
windmill and the Power House aerators and fountains. The wind powered aeration 
system is an excellent alternative to electric aerators when there is no 
electrical power available to your remotely located fishpond. They can also 
serve as a back up unit when there are power failures. Only 5 mph winds are 
needed to start aerating your pond due to very low resistance on the rotor. The 
1" shaft rides smoothly on sealed bearings (that do not need grease), the tower 
has a wide base and there is a 65" diameter set of twelve blades on the rotor 
allowing it to hold up in much higher wind speeds than the old time wind towers. 
They are easily assembled and can be stood up with two people.
Basic hand tools are all that is needed for assembly. They 
are anchored to the ground with 4' steel tubes that are driven into the ground 
through 1" clamps at the base the tower legs. A diffuser and 100' of airline 
comes with the kit. An optional freeze control unit is also available. 
Replacement parts are reasonably priced and seldom needed. Once you have your 
windmill aeration system assembled and installed, you will have trouble free 
aeration for a long time. The entire system is a very quiet running aerator that 
will aerate a 1-acre pond. The diffused air will keep an opening in the ice 10' 
to 30' depending on wind conditions. If there is no wind for a day or so causing 
the water to freeze, it will open up again as the wind picks up. There are many 
of these systems that have been up and running for 5 years or more.

Design Features That Increase Wear, Performance and Safety Heavier Crankshaft and BearingsWith more steel in the crankshaft and heavier bearings, the moving parts 
        are stronger and more durable. Under heavy use, the life expectancy of the 
        windmill is increased and part replacement is decreased.   Bigger Blade
  A larger blade allows the windmill to operate in winds less than 5 mph. 
  That means performance in low wind conditions is improved. Larger Diaphragm
  By increasing the diameter of the diaphragm, the working area of the 
  compressor is increased, so the windmill is able to produce a greater volume 
  of air without requiring additional energy. The result is greater 
  productivity. Bigger Tail
  A larger surface area on the tail gives the windmill better control in both 
  high and low wind speeds. Stronger Tail Arm
  Increased rigidity in the tail arms also helps control the windmill. Top Mounted Compressor
  The compressor unit is repositioned on top of the windmill. This 
  orientation helps prevent dirt from getting into the valves. The result is a 
  smoother running machine, increased longevity of the working components and 
  easier access for service. Stronger Tower Design
  The tower structure features cross brace reinforcements. This design adds 
  strength to the tower, regardless of the tower height. It also makes the tower 
  safer because children are discouraged from climbing up the cross braces. Wide Stance
  At the base, a wider stance on the tower provides greater stability. Easy Head Removal
  The head is connected through a rigid pivot tube at the top of the 
  windmill. The design makes head removal and installation of the windmill 
  easier. Windmill Technical Specifications Axis:  Horizontal
  Rotor Diameter: 65"
  Number of Blades: 12
  Blade & Tower Material: Galvanized Steel
  Tower Height: 12, 16 or 20 ft.
  Transmission: Direct Drive
  Stroke: 0.5 in
  Capacity: 1.5 cu.ft. min. @ 5 P.S.I. approx. 12-15 
  mph wind
  Over speed Protection: Automatic (speed limiting)
  Base Diameter: 12 tower = 61", 16 tower = 79", 20 
  tower = 97"  The 23' wind aeration system costs $820.00. Additional options include:  Freeze control ($49.00), Extra Diffuser ($25.00), and Diaphragm ($30.00). **Return
      to MTAN selection pageReturn to Ashland NFWCO home pageReturn to Region 3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service**   Product and company
      names mentioned in this publication are for informational purposes only.
      It does not imply endorsement by the MTAN or the U.S. Government.
 
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