Adding 8,000 Fish to the 5 Acre Pond!

BamaBass
19 May 202426:56

Summary

TLDRThe video script details a week at the Crimson Oak Pond, where fish delivery, algae management, and aquatic plant and tropical lily plantings are highlighted. The introduction of tilapia to control algae and provide a food source for bass is discussed, along with fascinating facts about their breeding habits. The pond's ecosystem includes toads, tadpoles, and a snake visitor, while the prawn population grows rapidly. Cedar Falls receives new aquatic plants, and weather impacts are monitored. The video also showcases a backyard pond spring cleaning, fish feeding, and updates on the pond's wildlife, including a squirrel house attracting various animals. The script concludes with the anticipation of moving Tiger, a fish, into Cedar Falls and the serene process of hay bailing.

Takeaways

  • 🐟 The Crimson Oak Pond had a busy week with the arrival of a fish truck, the addition of aquatic plants, and the first animals appearing at the new squirrel house.
  • 🚚 The fish truck delivered tilapia to the pond, which are known for their ability to spawn frequently and help control algae growth.
  • 🌱 Algae growth is a common issue in ponds during warmer months and longer sunlight periods, and it's important to manage it before it becomes uncontrollable.
  • 🐠 Tilapia are introduced to the pond for their algae-eating properties and to provide a food source for bass and other fish, promoting a healthy ecosystem.
  • 🌿 Greg, the pond guy, helped plant aquatic plants and tropical lilies, which not only enhance the pond's aesthetics but also provide habitat for various pond life.
  • 🐒 The video features a variety of wildlife, including toads, snakes, and birds, highlighting the pond's role as a haven for different species.
  • 🦐 The pond was stocked with prawns, which grow rapidly and contribute to the pond's biodiversity and food chain.
  • 🌳 Cedar Falls, another pond, is mentioned as a separate project where aquatic plants were added to improve water quality and habitat.
  • πŸ”‹ The video discusses the use of a volcano pump for aeration and mentions the importance of oxygen levels in pond health.
  • 🌧️ Heavy rains brought challenges to the pond's maintenance, but also demonstrated the effectiveness of the pond's design in managing runoff.
  • 🎣 The video ends with updates on the growth of bass and other fish, and the introduction of Mr. Tiger, a large fish, to Cedar Falls, creating anticipation for the next video.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of introducing tilapia to the pond?

    -The main purpose of introducing tilapia to the pond is to control algae growth and provide a recurring food source for other fish, such as bass, bluegill, and threadfin shad. Tilapia are prolific spawners, which helps maintain a healthy ecosystem in the pond.

  • What are the two methods mentioned in the script to manage algae growth in the pond?

    -The two methods mentioned to manage algae growth are applying beneficial bacteria that compete with the algae and starve it out, and introducing tilapia fish that consume the algae.

  • Why are adult tilapia important when stocking the pond?

    -Adult tilapia are important because they are too big to be eaten by bass, and they start spawning as soon as they enter the pond, producing thousands of baby tilapia which contribute to the pond's food chain and help control algae.

  • What is the significance of the fish truck's arrival in the video?

    -The fish truck's arrival is significant as it brings tilapia to be stocked in the pond. The process of acclimating the tilapia by pumping water from the pond into the holding tanks before releasing the fish is also highlighted.

  • What is the role of the 'pond guy', Greg, in the video?

    -Greg, the pond guy, helps to plant aquatic plants and tropical lilies in the pond. These plants contribute to the pond's ecosystem and also provide habitat and breeding grounds for various pond inhabitants.

  • What is the connection between the tilapia and the bass in the pond?

    -The connection between the tilapia and the bass is part of the pond's food chain. The tilapia, particularly the baby tilapia produced by the adults, serve as a food source for the bass, helping them to grow and maintain their health.

  • What is the function of the prawns stocked in the pond?

    -The prawns stocked in the pond serve as a high-protein food source for the fish, contributing to their growth and overall health. They also play a role in the pond's ecosystem by consuming organic matter.

  • What is the significance of the squirrel house in the video?

    -The squirrel house is a new addition to the property, designed to attract squirrels and other wildlife. It provides an interesting aspect of wildlife interaction and observation for the viewers.

  • What is the role of the beneficial bacteria product used in the pond?

    -The beneficial bacteria product is used to combat algae growth in the pond. It works by starving the algae of nutrients, thus controlling its growth and preventing it from taking over the pond.

  • What is the importance of maintaining water clarity in the pond?

    -Maintaining water clarity is important for the health of the pond ecosystem. It allows sunlight to penetrate the water, promoting the growth of beneficial plants and algae, and supports the overall health of the pond inhabitants.

  • What is the impact of the weather conditions on the pond and its inhabitants?

    -Weather conditions, such as heavy rain, can impact the pond by causing runoff that may introduce pollutants or alter the water chemistry. It can also affect the clarity of the water and the behavior of the pond's inhabitants.

  • What is the purpose of the 'field bot' project mentioned in the script?

    -The 'field bot' project aims to automate daily tasks on the farm, such as monitoring environmental conditions and controlling equipment like fish feeders and pumps. It is designed to make farm management more efficient and streamlined.

  • What is the significance of the Flail Mower in maintaining the pond area?

    -The Flail Mower is a valuable tool for maintaining the pond's edge. It saves time and effort by efficiently cutting grass and weeds along the pond's edge, preventing the need for manual trimming.

  • What is the process of introducing Mr. Tiger to Cedar Falls?

    -Mr. Tiger, a large fish, is being transported from a 300-gallon aquarium to Cedar Falls. The video script teases this event, indicating that it will be shown in a subsequent video, highlighting the anticipation of observing his interaction with other fish like Johnny and June.

Outlines

00:00

🐟 Introducing Tilapia and Pond Updates

The video script begins with a recap of activities at the Crimson Oak Pond, including the arrival of a fish truck, Mobi the fish's attack on toads, and a visit from Greg, the pond guy, who assists with planting aquatic plants and tropical lilies. The narrator discusses the normal occurrence of filamentous algae growth due to rising water temperatures and increased sunlight. Two methods to manage algae are mentioned: applying beneficial bacteria to outcompete the algae and introducing tilapia to consume it. The tilapia's role in controlling algae, their ability to spawn frequently, and their potential to become invasive due to their sex-changing abilities are highlighted. The script also covers the stocking of tilapia in Cedar Falls to provide a recurring food source for the pet bass, Johnny and June.

05:01

🦐 Prawns and Wildlife Encounters

The script continues with an update on the prawns stocked in the pond and the introduction of a new feeding method using protein pellets in the waterfall. The growth of the prawns from post-larvae to jumbo shrimp within four to five months is noted. The presence of a snake and various birds, including bald eagles and an osprey, is mentioned, along with the sighting of a new visitor, possibly a hawk. The addition of a volcano pump for aeration and its benefits, particularly during periods of low dissolved oxygen, are explained. The script also details the arrival of aquatic plants, including tropical lily pads, which quickly attract toads and contribute to tadpole population growth.

10:02

🌧️ Weather Impacts and Pond Maintenance

The video script describes the impact of heavy rains on the pond, causing flooding and temporarily reducing water clarity. The narrator discusses the importance of maintaining the pond's ecosystem, including the role of red-winged blackbirds and the challenges posed by mating toads. The process of cleaning the pond is outlined, with a focus on removing debris, algae, and maintaining the waterfall area. The script also mentions the use of a pond vacuum to clean aqua blue stones and the sighting of a large bullfrog and a dove.

15:03

🏑 Squirrel House Adventures and Wildlife Interactions

The script shifts focus to the newly installed squirrel house and the various animals that interact with it. A large mouse named Gus Gus is observed exploring the house and eating the treats provided. The mouse's actions are captured on camera, and his smaller companion, Gus Jr, is also seen retrieving nuts. The presence of raccoons, opossums, and squirrels is noted, with the latter being the intended occupants of the house. The narrator plans to replenish the nuts to encourage more squirrel visits.

20:04

🎣 Fish Growth and Algae Management

The video script covers the feeding of bass with larger golden shiners and the expected plankton bloom that will benefit baitfish. The narrator discusses the importance of establishing a plankton bloom for the survival of threadfin shad and the steps taken to manage algae growth, including the use of beneficial bacteria. The script also includes a drone shot showing filamentous algae and the application of a product to control it. The narrator anticipates noticeable results in two weeks.

25:06

🚜 Farm Automation and Fish Tagging

The script introduces the field bot project, an initiative to automate daily farm tasks, and provides an update on the smart farm app. The app's features, such as internal sensor data, alarms, and the ability to control various farm equipment, are highlighted. The narrator also discusses the process of tagging and weighing bass to track their growth, with one fish named Poseidon doubling in weight over a year. The script concludes with a look at the Flail Mower, a valuable tool for maintaining the pond's edge, and the anticipation of moving Mr. Tiger, a fish, into Cedar Falls for the next video.

🌾 Hay Bailing and Anticipating Mr. Tiger's Move

The final paragraph discusses the process of hay bailing, which provides feed for cattle and offers a calming experience for the narrator. The video script mentions the transition from peanut crops to winter ryegrass and the efficiency of modern farming equipment. The script concludes with an update on Mr. Tiger, a fish that has been moved from an aquarium to Cedar Falls, with viewers encouraged to subscribe for the next video featuring this event.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Tilapia

Tilapia is a type of freshwater fish that is known for its adaptability and ability to coexist with other aquatic species. In the video, tilapia are introduced into the pond ecosystem to help control algae growth and provide a natural food source for larger fish like bass. The tilapia's role is highlighted by their ability to spawn frequently, producing thousands of baby tilapia every 17 to 20 days, which contributes to the overall health and balance of the pond's ecosystem.

πŸ’‘Beneficial Bacteria

Beneficial bacteria are microorganisms that can have a positive impact on the environment they inhabit. In the context of the video, beneficial bacteria are applied to the pond to compete with algae, effectively starving the algae out and thus maintaining water clarity and health. This method is part of an ecological approach to pond management that avoids harsh chemicals and promotes a natural balance.

πŸ’‘Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants play a crucial role in pond ecosystems by providing oxygen, habitat, and food for various species. The video mentions the planting of aquatic plants and tropical lilies by 'Greg, the pond guy', which not only enhances the visual appeal of the pond but also contributes to its ecological health by creating a balanced environment for fish and other aquatic life.

πŸ’‘Algae

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that can grow in water and are a common occurrence in ponds, especially when water temperatures rise and sunlight exposure increases. The video discusses the presence of filamentous algae around the pond's edge, which is a normal phenomenon. However, it's important for pond owners to manage algae growth to prevent it from becoming uncontrollable, as it can lead to oxygen depletion and harm the pond's ecosystem.

πŸ’‘Pond Management

Pond management refers to the practices and strategies used to maintain a healthy and balanced pond ecosystem. The video script covers various aspects of pond management, including the introduction of tilapia, the use of beneficial bacteria, and the planting of aquatic plants. These measures are all aimed at controlling algae growth, providing food sources for fish, and ensuring the overall health of the pond.

πŸ’‘Aeration

Aeration in a pond is the process of increasing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic life. The video mentions a 'volcano pump' used to aerate the pond, which is particularly important during the hours when the pond water has the least amount of dissolved oxygen. Proper aeration helps prevent issues like fish kills due to low oxygen levels.

πŸ’‘Plankton Bloom

A plankton bloom refers to a rapid increase in the population of planktonic organisms in a body of water. In the video, the script mentions the onset of a plankton bloom, which is beneficial for baitfish like golden shiners and threadfin shad, as they rely on plankton as a primary food source. The bloom is a sign of a healthy pond ecosystem and is encouraged through the addition of fertilizers.

πŸ’‘Threadfin Shad

Threadfin shad is a species of fish that is often introduced into ponds to help control the growth of phytoplankton and provide a natural food source for larger predatory fish. The video discusses plans to restock the pond with threadfin shad once a plankton bloom is established, highlighting the interconnected nature of the pond's ecosystem and the importance of maintaining a diverse population of aquatic species.

πŸ’‘Water Clarity

Water clarity is a measure of the transparency of water in a pond or other body of water and is an indicator of its overall health. The video script mentions the importance of maintaining water clarity, as it is affected by factors such as algae growth and the presence of suspended particles. Clear water is desirable for both aesthetic reasons and the health of the aquatic life within the pond.

πŸ’‘Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, such as fish and plants, interacting with each other and their physical environment. The video script frequently refers to the pond as an ecosystem, emphasizing the interconnectedness of its various components, such as fish, plants, algae, and bacteria. Maintaining a balanced ecosystem is key to a healthy and sustainable pond environment.

πŸ’‘Pond Diffuser

A pond diffuser is a device used to increase the oxygen levels in pond water, promoting a healthier environment for aquatic life. In the video, it is mentioned that a pond diffuser can be left on throughout the year, but surface air raiders, like the volcano pump, are more beneficial during the day when the pond water has the least amount of dissolved oxygen. The use of a pond diffuser is part of the broader topic of pond aeration.

Highlights

Fish truck delivers tilapia to the pond to help control algae and provide a food source for bass.

Tilapia are prolific spawners, producing thousands of baby tilapia every 17 to 20 days.

Tilapia help in controlling algae growth by competing with it and being a natural cleaner.

Introduction of beneficial bacteria as a method to starve out algae.

Greg, the pond guy, assists in planting aquatic plants and tropical lilies.

First animals start showing up at the new squirrel house.

Algae growth is a normal occurrence in ponds during warmer months with longer sunlight.

Tilapia's ability to change sex and their role in frequent spawning.

A specific tilapia species being mouth brooders, protecting their young.

Cedar Falls water clarity is maintained with the help of aquatic plants.

Tadpoles from mating toads act as a cleanup crew in the pond.

A snake and various birds, including a juvenile bald eagle, visit the pond.

Stocking of prawns in the pond to improve water quality and provide food.

Innovative feeding method using protein pellets and a waterfall to attract fish.

New tree sprouting from the base of a carved tree seat in the pond build.

Use of a volcano pump for aeration and its impact on pond health.

Introduction of Element, a hydration drink with electrolytes, as a sponsor.

Thomas Holt ships a package of aquatic plants for Cedar Falls.

Heavy rains and their impact on pond maintenance and clarity.

Redwinged blackbirds and their behavior around the pond.

Osprey and its interaction with the eagle tower near the pond.

Spring cleaning of the backyard pond, including plant maintenance.

Introduction of a smart farm app for managing farm operations.

Weighing and tagging of bass to monitor their growth.

Use of a Flail Mower for maintaining the pond's edge.

Baling hay as part of farm maintenance and preparation for winter.

Transport of Tiger, a fish, from an aquarium to Cedar Falls.

Transcripts

00:00

Folks at home welcome back to the

00:01

Crimson Oak Pond where we had a lot

00:03

going on this past week we had the fish

00:04

truck showing up to deliver some fish we

00:07

got Mobi attacking two mate and toads in

00:09

the backyard pond and a visit from Greg

00:11

the pond guy to help us plant some

00:12

aquatic plants and tropical lies and we

00:15

even had our first animals start showing

00:17

up at the new squirrel house and you're

00:19

not going to want to miss that but the

00:20

fish truck is about to show up we got

00:22

the farmers bailing some hay in the

00:24

background but if you look down around

00:25

the Pond's Edge you'll notice that dark

00:27

green color is algae and this time a

00:30

year when the water temps start to rise

00:32

and we have longer periods of sunlight

00:34

each day most Pines will typically start

00:36

seeing some algae growth and this is a

00:38

pretty normal type of filamentous algae

00:40

but the one key as a pond owner is you

00:42

have to take care of it before it gets

00:44

out of control and we had a lot of

00:46

success last year with two different

00:48

methods the first was applying a

00:50

beneficial bacteria that competes with

00:52

the algae and actually starves it out

00:54

but any algae that's able to make it

00:56

past that will get cleaned up by the

00:58

tilapia so the fish truck just showed up

01:00

loaded down with several tanks of

01:01

tilapia and the first thing we like to

01:03

do is pump water out of the pond and

01:06

into the holding tanks to help acclimate

01:08

the tilapia before we put them in and

01:10

today he's stocking a variety of

01:11

different sizes but you definitely want

01:13

to put those adult tilapia in that are

01:15

too big to get eaten by the bass because

01:18

those adults are where we get all the

01:19

benefits an tilapia are known as

01:21

prolific spawners and as soon as they

01:23

enter the pond they're going to start

01:25

spawning and we'll be getting thousands

01:27

of baby tilapia every 177 to 20 days and

01:30

adding these tilapia were hands down one

01:32

of the most beneficial things we did

01:34

last year because if you followed along

01:36

with the channel from around July to

01:38

November the bass fed heavily on them

01:40

they would School up together cruise

01:42

down the banks and those baby tilapia

01:44

were easy targets and that helped our

01:46

bass put on a lot of weight but by

01:48

adding this additional food source

01:50

you're also helping your smaller

01:51

bluegill population and thread fin Shad

01:54

populations which will be key to feeding

01:56

the bass throughout the winter months

01:58

but since you get so many benefits from

02:00

them I decided to add a few to Cedar

02:02

Falls as an experiment and the main

02:04

reason is because the two pet bass we

02:06

call Johnny and June have big appetites

02:09

goal is to add three tilapia to help

02:12

produce a reoccurring food source for

02:14

them so we got three tilapia in the

02:15

bucket here we're about to release and

02:17

the tilapia are the exact opposite for

02:19

most other fish and that the male

02:21

typically grows much bigger than the

02:23

female so the two little smaller tilapia

02:25

that have the red fins We Believe are

02:27

females and the bigger bluish tilapia is

02:30

going to be a male this little guy

02:32

doesn't seem to be shy at all and this

02:33

is a first for me but since the tilapia

02:36

are going to be in here with us the rest

02:37

of the year we might as well give them a

02:39

name so leave your comments down below

02:41

for the three tilapia we're finishing up

02:43

stocking the 5 acre Pond and if it's

02:45

anything like last year I'll give you an

02:46

update in a week or two and it's going

02:48

to be a very noticeable reduction in

02:50

algae but there are a couple of

02:52

fascinating facts about tilapia and one

02:54

of the reasons they can become invasive

02:56

and spawn so frequently is because they

02:58

can change sex so the males can become

03:01

females and the females can become males

03:04

and another really interesting fact is

03:06

that there's a specific species of

03:07

tilapia that is a mouth brooder and so

03:10

what happens is after the females lay

03:12

the eggs the males fertilize them and

03:14

once the baby tilapia hatch the small

03:17

tilapia will actually swim into the

03:19

male's mouth and he'll carry them around

03:21

protecting them as well as taking them

03:24

to their food source so he'll bring them

03:26

to the areas that are heavy in

03:27

vegetation and algae and Plankton and

03:29

open his mouth to let him come out and

03:31

feed but the moment there's any danger

03:33

in the area he sucks them back in to

03:35

protect them so tilapia really are a

03:37

fascinating fish and we had a handful

03:39

survive from last year and it's very

03:41

interesting how they're all albino but

03:43

now it's time to check in on Cedar Falls

03:45

Water clarity's looking good and Greg

03:47

the pond guy is going to be stopping by

03:49

to add some aquatic plants but it's that

03:51

time of year where we have Tad poles in

03:53

the pond from all the mating toads and

03:55

they're a welcomed Edition because

03:57

they're an excellent Cleanup Crew you

03:59

can you see how good they clean the

04:00

rocks and they basically feed 24/7 and

04:03

then when they get big enough the

04:04

bluegills will eat some before they turn

04:06

into a toad and hop out of the

04:09

pond but check out this other guest we

04:12

had visit the pond it's the first snake

04:14

we've seen in here and you all know I'm

04:16

terrible at identifying snakes but this

04:19

doesn't look like a venomous one but if

04:20

any of you can identify it leave it in

04:22

the comments down below but you can see

04:24

the fish don't seem to be bothered by

04:26

him at all I think he's a friendly

04:27

little snake just looking for a minnow

04:30

although it does make me question

04:31

swimming in this Pond

04:34

now but let's check in on two of the

04:36

stars of the show are little Tiger Bass

04:38

we call Johnny and June and here lately

04:40

they've been very entertaining because

04:42

we work as a team they love it when I

04:44

stop by the pond because I spook all of

04:46

the golden shiners out of the shallow

04:48

pockets and they're waiting right there

04:50

in the deeper water to Ambush them and

04:52

Ed purposely designed this Pond to have

04:54

those shallow Pockets so the bait could

04:56

hide and get away but whenever they all

04:58

group up there I prefer to see some

05:01

fireworks and Johnny and June move so

05:03

fast it's hard for me to tell which one

05:05

it is but it's fun to

05:09

watch we even have Mr Snake over there

05:11

watching and learning a thing or two so

05:14

now let's check in on the prawns if you

05:16

missed our last video we stocked 5,000

05:18

prawns in the 5 acre Pond the Wetland

05:22

filter of Cedar Falls and the rest went

05:24

into this stock tank and I've been

05:26

feeding them a heavy protein diet and

05:28

they started out as post larvae and

05:30

they're getting big quick but I am

05:32

always amazed that they grow from this

05:34

size to a jumbo shrimp in about four to

05:38

5 months so I had this new idea since I

05:40

had these tiny protein pellets I decided

05:43

to toss some of them up in the waterfall

05:45

the same area that all the golden

05:46

shiners are hanging out and let that

05:49

current send those floating pets down

05:51

the stream and see if it would draw some

05:53

of those golden shiners out and right

05:56

away I could tell that it was working

05:58

and you can see the bass are locked and

06:03

ready got him so if you all recall this

06:06

big tree that they carve the seats out

06:08

during the pond build look what we have

06:10

down here near the trunk of it a new

06:13

tree is sprouting wouldn't that be cool

06:15

if a tree grew out of the base of this

06:17

tree so I might should have put a

06:19

tilapia up here in the Wetland filter

06:20

because we have some algae here as well

06:22

but check out these new little fish that

06:24

hatched I'm not 100% sure what type they

06:26

are but I'm sure Truman the little bass

06:29

fry that we added up here is happy to

06:31

see them but here's two that couldn't be

06:33

happier with the addition of the new

06:34

tilapia and that's the pair of bald

06:37

eagles they feasted on quite a few this

06:39

past winter and already have their eye

06:41

on them but look who showed back up it's

06:45

one of their babies and you can see this

06:47

juvenile bald eagle starting to turn

06:48

colors and we hadn't seen him in a few

06:51

months but man his color patterns are

06:53

all over the place he's got white

06:55

splotches on his back his tail and his

06:57

head so we're happy to see him stop by

06:59

for a visit but we got a new visitor and

07:02

I'm not 100% sure what this is look at

07:06

that hair so my guess is it's probably a

07:08

haulk but it's kind of hard to tell with

07:10

this lighting it's for sure not an

07:12

osprey it's probably only half the size

07:14

of an osprey but I'm guessing it's some

07:16

variety of Hulk using the eagle Tower

07:18

when they're not around if you missed

07:19

our last video we added this volcano

07:21

pump to help out with the pon ation and

07:24

it provides a ton of benefits but I did

07:26

have several questions about things like

07:28

energy usage so with a pond diffuser

07:31

with those you can turn them on and

07:32

leave them on all year long but these

07:34

surface air Raiders provide most of

07:36

their benefits during the hours of the

07:38

day where the pond water has the least

07:40

amount of dissolved oxygen and a lot of

07:42

people think that that's when the sun is

07:44

highest and it's the hottest part of the

07:45

day but it's actually the opposite of

07:48

that pond water has the most dissolved

07:50

oxygen late in the afternoons because

07:53

the sun's been shining all day and the

07:55

vegetation has been producing oxygen but

07:58

the moment it gets dark out outside

08:00

everything starts consuming it and

08:02

that's typically the time your fish

08:03

could be at risk so with this volcano

08:06

pump we're turning ours own a couple

08:07

hours before the sun goes down and then

08:09

turning it back off about an hour after

08:11

sunrise and today's video is brought to

08:13

you by element after long hot days out

08:16

here at the farm it's important to stay

08:18

hydrated and hydration doesn't just mean

08:20

more fluid it's about getting the right

08:22

amount of electrolytes and electrolytes

08:25

are basically just minerals that have an

08:27

electric charge when dissolved in water

08:29

an element has formulated the perfect

08:31

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08:34

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08:37

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08:39

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08:40

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08:45

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08:57

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08:59

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09:01

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09:03

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checking them out go to drink LM

09:07

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09:29

out and stay salty my friends so one of

09:31

Greg's friends named Thomas Holt shipped

09:33

Us in this package of aquatic plants

09:36

that we're not going to be planting in

09:37

the Crimson Oak Pond but rather Cedar

09:39

Falls so I stored them right here in the

09:41

waterfall stream while we wait on the

09:43

experts to get here and at first sight

09:46

one of my favorite things they shipped

09:48

are these tropical lily pads and it took

09:51

all of one day for the Toads to get in

09:53

here and use the lily pads you can see

09:55

that string of eggs right there so more

09:58

Tad poles coming and there's some more

10:00

those smaller fish hanging out down

10:01

there with Truman but one of the lies

10:04

they sent is called a Victorian Lily and

10:06

this thing can grow to be massive the

10:09

lies can grow 6 feet wide and even

10:12

support a small human so we might try

10:14

that out with Oliver lighter this year

10:16

so the reason that we put the fertilizer

10:18

near the bottom is because you're going

10:19

to lose the fertilizer through the top

10:22

because it has a couple of drain holes

10:24

in the bottom but you know the

10:25

fertilizer is not going to leak through

10:27

the plastic the fertilizer is going to

10:28

come out the top here so I bet you the

10:30

roots are already in this yep look at

10:32

how root bound it already is and this

10:34

has been growing for how long oh my

10:37

goodness one month one month and look at

10:39

that and so most people keep the lies in

10:42

containers this big and in the first

10:44

month that's what the roots look like so

10:46

we're going to break a little bit of the

10:46

roots right yeah now this may have a um

10:49

I'm going to pull this out here this is

10:50

the plastic tray the little plastic

10:52

drain tray I'll pull that out of

10:55

there now the roots will be able to run

10:57

a little bit more but look at the

10:58

difference in the size of the containers

11:01

this by the end of the season will look

11:03

like it with the roots the same way it

11:04

looks right now that's correct in that

11:06

size of a pot you're just imagine how

11:07

much more nutrients you're getting

11:09

because of the size of the container

11:11

okay and then there you go plants man

11:13

okay also the width of the pot is more

11:15

important than the depth of the pot to

11:17

the beach to the beach the edge of the

11:20

beach so Greg the pond gu is going to

11:22

show a lot more of this on his channel

11:23

so make sure to check that out but

11:25

there's one thing that's certain anytime

11:28

Ed or Greg shows up they bring the rain

11:31

and I'm not talking about just a little

11:33

bit of rain when Ed was here it rained

11:35

for 2 days straight during the pond

11:37

build it was a big reason we had so much

11:39

dirt and mud in the Wetland filter and

11:41

now that Greg's here we've got a major

11:44

flood coming so some of our planning got

11:46

cut short but I always like watching the

11:48

storm footage and it'll let me know if

11:50

there's any areas we have runoff coming

11:53

down into Cedar Falls because remember

11:55

we're trying to keep this Pawn crystal

11:57

clear but if you pay close attention

11:59

just above the pond there's a ditch that

12:02

carries a lot of water down into a drain

12:04

and that drain redirects the water into

12:06

the Crimson Oak Pond but it is wild that

12:08

during some of these heavy rains that

12:11

huge drain can't handle that amount of

12:13

water flow and here you're seeing some

12:15

of that water actually flow out of the

12:17

top of the drain but fortunately the

12:20

storm ended before it could get out of

12:21

hand and unfortunately it dired up the

12:23

water just enough to where we can't see

12:25

the fish but you can see when the pond

12:27

water level gets high we have it

12:29

overflow down these rocks and into the 5

12:33

acre Pond and that's working perfectly

12:35

as designed but one of the cool things

12:37

about what Thomas sent is some of these

12:39

lily pads have blooms that come out

12:41

during the daylight hours and others

12:43

have blooms that come out at night so

12:45

right as the sun's starting to set

12:47

they'll open up and stay open all night

12:49

and even the first couple hours of

12:50

daylight so Liz was really happy when

12:52

she saw these guys show up and they're

12:55

known as a redwinged blackb bird but

12:57

these colorful males will spend most of

12:59

their day competing with the other males

13:02

and whistling little birdie songs trying

13:04

to lure the females

13:08

in and they're very competitive and one

13:11

of the traits they have is they like to

13:12

get up high and for those that were on

13:15

the eagle Tower that's about as high as

13:17

you can get but they'll Flex those wings

13:19

out and try to call the ladies in and

13:22

they're not the only ones using the

13:23

eagle Tower we had an osprey show up and

13:25

he's having a fight the winds and

13:27

rain probably not going to be doing any

13:30

fishing today there's one fish out here

13:32

that's not too happy with all these

13:34

mating toads and that's Mr Moby so we're

13:37

going to be giving you an update on him

13:39

the backyard pond and all the fish that

13:41

are in it and we're also going to be

13:43

doing a spring cleaning as you can see

13:45

every year these plants will get out of

13:47

control if you don't do a little

13:48

maintenance and cut them back some so

13:51

there's a quick beforehand look but also

13:53

let's check out the waterfall area and

13:55

there's a noticeable difference between

13:57

this waterfall and the new one at Cedar

13:59

Falls and I love how all the natural

14:01

mosses and ferns have showed up gives it

14:03

that big time nature look like you see

14:05

down in the creek in the woods so if you

14:07

have one of these ponds and you don't

14:09

have a good vacuum I'd highly recommend

14:11

it I'll give you a quick example of how

14:13

good it works on these aqua blue stones

14:15

you can see it pulls that brown stained

14:17

dirt look right off the rocks and you

14:19

can see that natural blue color but

14:21

someone that's not happy with this

14:23

invasion is one of the Ninja Turtles but

14:26

while I was going through pulling some

14:27

of the weeds out I heard the big

14:29

bullfrog so let's go see if we can find

14:33

him there he is and that's actually not

14:36

the biggest

14:39

one and he hopped right back into the

14:41

waterfall we finally found the big boy

14:44

he's been eating golden shiners out of

14:46

our pond for the past 3 years and is a

14:49

giant Mr Dove stopping by to drink a sip

14:51

of water so the next part of the

14:54

cleaning process is suctioning all that

14:56

dirt and sand and debris out of the

14:59

bottom of the pond so we got a pump down

15:00

in the bottom and it's pumping through

15:02

the hose over here and this goes down to

15:05

a drain but you can see that dirty water

15:07

coming out got the waterfall off it's

15:10

also got a lot of algae in there that

15:11

needs cleaning and believe it or not M

15:14

and the rest of the fish are down there

15:15

in that mud puddle but this is about as

15:17

low as we ever drain it just to keep

15:19

from harming the fish and here's the

15:21

results got the pond water back Crystal

15:23

Clear got all the plants cut back so we

15:26

can actually see the waterfall now

15:32

and we have a happy Moby down there yep

15:34

it's that time of year where you hear

15:35

those high pitched screeches from all

15:38

the mate and toads and I think that's

15:40

why Mobi was getting a little unhappy

15:42

he's probably just tired of hearing them

15:45

but it does bring back good memories

15:47

because back in

15:48

2019 we had the same thing happen with

15:50

Bonnie and she attempted to eat the

15:52

toads and they played dead and then

15:54

after she left they swam off there was

15:56

one other time where Bonnie and Clyde

15:58

both tried to get one of the toads but

16:00

he narrowly escaped and I think that

16:02

they put off some scent or poison that

16:06

keeps the fish from eating them but now

16:08

let's take an underwater look to get an

16:09

update on all the fish in the pond you

16:12

can see there's a pair of Ninja Turtles

16:14

that are still here as well as a couple

16:16

of the Blu gills and Outlaw the crappie

16:19

this video does not do it justice on how

16:21

big these fish have gotten this bluegill

16:24

that I believe we called Sunny has got

16:27

to be pushing 2 lb

16:29

and just for size comparison you can see

16:31

Outlaw in the back and last year when we

16:33

caught Bonnie and Clyde we accidentally

16:36

caught him in a net and I picked him up

16:38

and was blown away at how big he had

16:40

gotten and now I think the Blu gills are

16:42

as big or bigger than him so that's what

16:45

a steady diet of golden shiners will get

16:47

you over the course of a few years is

16:50

fat healthy fish so if you missed the

16:52

last video Nate built this squirrel

16:54

house and we got it installed and

16:56

stocked it with some nice treats so

16:58

let's see who shows up and the first one

17:00

to show up was a big mouse and I can

17:03

only imagine what he was thinking but he

17:06

starts off by inspecting the living room

17:09

area and then he's happy to find all the

17:11

nuts and treats we left him on the table

17:13

so the moment I showed this to Sarah she

17:16

immediately wanted to name the big mouse

17:18

Gus Gus like the mouse on Cinderella So

17:21

Gus Gus had a nice dinner inside the new

17:23

squirrel house and it was entertaining

17:25

watching him because a couple of the

17:26

nuts fell off the table and in the these

17:29

tight locations that he was too big to

17:31

access so he spent most of the night

17:33

trying and then eventually gave up on it

17:36

and that's where Gus Jr enters the scene

17:39

and the funniest part about it was

17:40

within seconds of Gus Jr entering the

17:43

house he acquired the nuts and left and

17:46

he came back a little while later and

17:47

got the last one but if you remember in

17:49

the last video after we stocked the

17:51

table and kitchen area we decided to put

17:54

a few bonus nuts in the refrigerator to

17:57

see if they'd be smart enough to to get

17:59

him out and Gus Jr has good intuition

18:02

and knew that they were in there but his

18:04

time got cut short when he heard a

18:06

predator coming and it's one of the

18:08

Bandit raccoons and there's something

18:10

funny about this angle it almost makes

18:11

it look like a Godzilla movie where an

18:14

oversized raccoon is peeping in the

18:16

front door but after he left Gus Gus

18:19

came back and acquired the bonus nuts so

18:22

we also set up a camera on the outside

18:24

of the house to see all the animals that

18:27

stopped by but couldn't get in and I'm

18:29

sure it looks crazy to all the wildlife

18:31

because during some parts of the night

18:33

there's a light on inside the house so

18:36

you can actually see light coming out

18:37

the windows but Nate specifically

18:39

designed it so raccoon and bigger

18:41

animals couldn't get in it and get

18:43

trapped in there but just like the nut

18:45

bar and all the other stations we put up

18:47

the raccoons were very curious and were

18:49

going to attempt from every angle but

18:51

after a while he eventually gave up and

18:54

I've always said that no matter what

18:57

George Jones The posum always finds a

18:59

way to make it on camera and I have no

19:01

idea what he's doing this high up in a

19:03

tree but he found the house now let's

19:05

see what he decides to do oh no it looks

19:08

like he's going to try to enter the

19:09

doors and the last thing I want to do is

19:11

show up to a trapped possum inside the

19:14

squirrel house but it looks like George

19:16

is going to test out the waters and he

19:19

actually made it

19:23

in and he also got back out so we're

19:26

good Gus Gus checking up on the roof for

19:28

any remaining

19:36

snacks so now let's see what happens

19:38

with the squirrels that we actually

19:39

designed this

19:41

for you can see he's like this is nice

19:44

but I'm not sure what to think about

19:46

having a grass lawn up in a tree but

19:48

unfortunately Gus Gus and the rest of

19:50

them ate all the nuts last night so the

19:53

house alone wasn't quite enough to Temp

19:55

the squirrel in so I think what I'm

19:57

going to have to do is get up early in

19:59

the morning and replenish the nuts so

20:01

when the squirrel stops by there will

20:03

actually be some there for him before

20:05

they get eaten at night so it's time for

20:07

a fish feeding and today we're going to

20:09

be feeding the bass a bigger size golden

20:11

shiner this is about twice the size of

20:13

the ones we typically feed them but the

20:15

first thing you'll notice when you're

20:16

looking down at the water is you'll see

20:18

that it's starting to get that plankt

20:20

and Bloom and as the algae and other

20:22

plant life die off it'll allow that

20:24

fertilizer to create that plankt and

20:26

Bloom which is perfect for all The Bait

20:29

fish so as soon as we get the bloom

20:31

established we're going to restock the

20:32

pond with thread fin shad and that's

20:35

because Plankton and phop Plankton are

20:37

the sole food source for all the thread

20:39

pins and so without that they struggle

20:42

to survive and it's hard for them to

20:44

live and get established in Clear Water

20:46

ponds and lakes so the green tent is

20:48

great and means it's time for another

20:50

load of thread fins but speaking of

20:52

algae I took this drone shot a couple

20:54

weeks ago and all of that green on the

20:57

bottom of the pond is filamentous algae

21:00

so we got the tilapia added in and the

21:02

second part is adding that beneficial

21:04

bacteria to starve the algae out all

21:06

righty folks about to use a product that

21:08

worked for us last year on some algae if

21:10

you look right here on the bank you can

21:12

see we're starting to get some algae

21:14

growth and it hadn't gotten out of hand

21:16

yet but if you let that go for too long

21:18

it can completely take over a pond so

21:21

this product works in two different ways

21:22

there's a liquid

21:26

formula and then you just to some of the

21:29

sacks out and the shallow parts of the

21:36

pond this is probably the worst spot on

21:38

the pond right here so perfect place for

21:41

one of the

21:46

sacks so here's one last look at what it

21:49

looks like today I'll give you an update

21:51

in 2 weeks and we should see some

21:53

noticeable results so about a month ago

21:56

I showed you all a project I was working

21:58

on called the field bot and we've been

22:00

setting these up here at the farm to

22:01

help automate some of these daily tasks

22:04

and I just want to say a quick thanks to

22:06

all of you that reached out to help we

22:08

got a ton of good feedback and are even

22:10

working with some of you to finalize the

22:12

product but today I'm going to be

22:13

showing you an update on the smart Farm

22:15

app and you can see here on the left

22:17

it's got all of our internal sensor data

22:19

starting with the temperature humidity

22:22

barometric pressure which is good to

22:24

tell you if the fish you're biting

22:25

Luminosity infrared and UltraViolet and

22:28

and then over here on the right we've

22:30

got our alarms and then some commands

22:32

where we can turn things on and off like

22:34

the fish feeder the pumps and we're even

22:37

going to set it up to where we can

22:38

control the camera feeds right here

22:40

within the app so we got the microphone

22:42

which helps us know if the fish feeders

22:43

are going off or if the water's flowing

22:46

and then we're designing a couple of

22:47

user interface screens to make it

22:50

extremely easy and simple for everyone

22:52

to use you also have a motion sensor if

22:54

you want to put these at a farm entrance

22:56

gate to send you a notification when

22:58

some one shows up and you could even tie

23:00

an output into the field bot which would

23:02

allow you to open the gate if you wanted

23:04

to give someone access but I just wanted

23:06

to give you a brief update and I'll

23:08

continue to give you guys updates as we

23:10

finalize the software and the hardware

23:12

and get the filled Bots ready for

23:14

production all right time to catch a few

23:15

of these bass see how big they've gotten

23:17

I think I'm going to start tagging the

23:18

second generation of bass now they're

23:20

getting up over a pound so we'll use

23:22

this little pit tag injector and I may

23:24

make a separate spreadsheet for those

23:25

guys

23:30

there we

23:32

go nice

23:33

one oh really

23:38

nice look at there

23:42

wow

23:44

giant check that out fish is almost as

23:48

big as the goat been eating

23:51

good that is one healthy fish all right

23:54

this fish is 571 1258 and it weighs

24:00

3.63 lbs he love to see him like

24:06

that so this fish is named Poseidon and

24:09

check that out we caught him almost

24:11

exactly one year ago and he is more than

24:14

doubled in weight a good sign that those

24:16

prawns and tilapia are

24:27

helping that's one of the pets for sure

24:29

see which one it is it's been caught 57

24:33

0827 and it weighs 1.8 got to catch the

24:37

pets every now and again just see how

24:39

big they

24:41

got and this fish is nam unit and we

24:44

hadn't caught him since last August but

24:46

he's made a little bit of weight gain

24:48

since

24:52

[Music]

24:54

then there we go

25:02

nice one right here

25:05

dark all right this fish is

25:08

69 660 weighs

25:14

2.79 all righty we're going to call it a

25:16

night on that

25:18

one and here we have kiwi and over the

25:21

course of one year another fish that's

25:23

doubled its weight so that's always good

25:26

to see this may be the most valuable

25:28

Implement on the farm the Flail Mower I

25:31

can't tell you how many hours it saves

25:33

me from weed eating the Pond's Edge

25:35

because as you can see it offsets off

25:37

the back of the tractor and you can tilt

25:39

it based on the slope of the pond bank

25:41

got to love it but speaking of mowing we

25:44

got the farmers out here and it's time

25:45

to bail some hay so as you have seen in

25:48

the past we've done peanut crops but in

25:51

the winter time we planted winter Ry

25:53

grass and this will help feed all those

25:56

hungry cows out there but I find there's

25:58

some something pretty calming about

25:59

bailing hay you got the mower that goes

26:01

through cuts it puts it in a nice neat

26:04

pile and then the Bor rides right over

26:06

the top and Scoops it up and out plops

26:09

the bail so with the right equipment you

26:11

can make quick work of it and there's no

26:14

telling how many cattle these Bales will

26:19

feed so this is typically the part of

26:21

the video where you would see us feeding

26:23

Mr Tiger but I got some exciting news

26:26

Tiger has been transported out of the

26:28

300g aquarium and into Cedar Falls but

26:32

you're going to have to wait until next

26:33

week to see that happen so make sure to

26:35

hit that subscribe button because I'll

26:37

have to say it's it was really cool

26:39

watching how he interacted with Johnny

26:41

and June but more to come on that next

26:44

week hope yall enjoyed this video and we

26:46

will see you all next time

26:50

[Music]

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