Trout in the classroom

[Salter]

Hey guys,

I have started a trout in the classroom project in my daughter's 4th grade class. I am raising 140 brown trout from eggs. Man, it is a blast and I can't wait until the trout get a little bigger. The eggs hatched about three weeks ago and the little trout are now about one inch long

Here are some photos...

I was given the eggs by the owner of Blue Stream Hatchery, which is down on Cape Cod. This hatchery has been in operation since 1869.



Hatching house


Rearing pond


Tank setup in my daughter's school


Eggs, just after they hatched


My babies are growing up!

[Magnet]

Salter,
That is a wonderful project for the kids. Keep us posted on the progress!

[JUICE]

Very very cool, I'm excited to watch them grow.

[Flyfisher]

Cool i am looking forward to the local my TU chapters talk about this tomorrow from the local highschools.

[SlowNDeep]

Great idea, How are you cooling the water in the tank? Are you?

[Nymphmeister]

I'm guessing that if they have a good aerator they don't need to cool it?

[dylanmjones23]

Wow Salter,

That is awesome, it looks like a blast. That is a great project for the kids. It really teaches them responsibility, respect for the outdoors and the intricasies of ecosystems. How has the response been, are the students and teacher really into it? Great job and please keep us posted, I hope it is a big success.

Dylan

[Salter]

I am using a chiller, it is the unit on the lower left hand corner of the photo. I am keeping the water at 52-53 F. I have a friend down on Cape Cod who is also doing Trout in the classroom (TIC) without a chiller and he had 90% mortality with his eggs. His tank runs at 62-64 F. He did TIC last year without a chiller, but he started with fingerlings. The hatchery water is 54 F. year round, and my guess is if you spike the water temp. up in a short period on time it really stresses the eggs. Also you can keep the tank cleaner if it is a colder enviornment.

The kids are really into the project and each student is keeping a journal about life in the tank. The two 4 th grade teachers love the project because all the maintenance is looked after by myself and two other parents, leaving the teachers free to focus on teaching.

The project was funded by my local chapter of Trout Unlimited. This is a program the TU really wants to expand. If anyone wants more info. send me a PM.

Michael

[tyro]

If you're interested in more info re: Trout in the Classroom, check the TU website. Lessons plans, procedures, etc. It is a great resource. Just search TIC within the site.

[SlowNDeep]

Yeah, it's pretty well known that the eggs are more temp sensitive than the fish - that's why I asked.

That looks like a tank that is 30+ gallons; what capacity is the chiller? I have a 20L chiller, you think thats sufficient? I would think so - looks like you have a 10L. Do you simply run the tank water into the chiller with recirculating pump? Or is the tank water (the water in contact with the eggs) separated from the chiller water, like in a coil?

Anyway, its really cool stuff, if I set one up, I'll want to pick your brain for sure.