Adding 8,000 Fish to the 5 Acre Pond!
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.
- 🔋 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
🐟 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.
🦐 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.
🌧️ 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.
🏡 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.
🎣 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.
🚜 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
💡Tilapia
💡Beneficial Bacteria
💡Aquatic Plants
💡Algae
💡Pond Management
💡Aeration
💡Plankton Bloom
💡Threadfin Shad
💡Water Clarity
💡Ecosystem
💡Pond Diffuser
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
Folks at home welcome back to the
Crimson Oak Pond where we had a lot
going on this past week we had the fish
truck showing up to deliver some fish we
got Mobi attacking two mate and toads in
the backyard pond and a visit from Greg
the pond guy to help us plant some
aquatic plants and tropical lies and we
even had our first animals start showing
up at the new squirrel house and you're
not going to want to miss that but the
fish truck is about to show up we got
the farmers bailing some hay in the
background but if you look down around
the Pond's Edge you'll notice that dark
green color is algae and this time a
year when the water temps start to rise
and we have longer periods of sunlight
each day most Pines will typically start
seeing some algae growth and this is a
pretty normal type of filamentous algae
but the one key as a pond owner is you
have to take care of it before it gets
out of control and we had a lot of
success last year with two different
methods the first was applying a
beneficial bacteria that competes with
the algae and actually starves it out
but any algae that's able to make it
past that will get cleaned up by the
tilapia so the fish truck just showed up
loaded down with several tanks of
tilapia and the first thing we like to
do is pump water out of the pond and
into the holding tanks to help acclimate
the tilapia before we put them in and
today he's stocking a variety of
different sizes but you definitely want
to put those adult tilapia in that are
too big to get eaten by the bass because
those adults are where we get all the
benefits an tilapia are known as
prolific spawners and as soon as they
enter the pond they're going to start
spawning and we'll be getting thousands
of baby tilapia every 177 to 20 days and
adding these tilapia were hands down one
of the most beneficial things we did
last year because if you followed along
with the channel from around July to
November the bass fed heavily on them
they would School up together cruise
down the banks and those baby tilapia
were easy targets and that helped our
bass put on a lot of weight but by
adding this additional food source
you're also helping your smaller
bluegill population and thread fin Shad
populations which will be key to feeding
the bass throughout the winter months
but since you get so many benefits from
them I decided to add a few to Cedar
Falls as an experiment and the main
reason is because the two pet bass we
call Johnny and June have big appetites
goal is to add three tilapia to help
produce a reoccurring food source for
them so we got three tilapia in the
bucket here we're about to release and
the tilapia are the exact opposite for
most other fish and that the male
typically grows much bigger than the
female so the two little smaller tilapia
that have the red fins We Believe are
females and the bigger bluish tilapia is
going to be a male this little guy
doesn't seem to be shy at all and this
is a first for me but since the tilapia
are going to be in here with us the rest
of the year we might as well give them a
name so leave your comments down below
for the three tilapia we're finishing up
stocking the 5 acre Pond and if it's
anything like last year I'll give you an
update in a week or two and it's going
to be a very noticeable reduction in
algae but there are a couple of
fascinating facts about tilapia and one
of the reasons they can become invasive
and spawn so frequently is because they
can change sex so the males can become
females and the females can become males
and another really interesting fact is
that there's a specific species of
tilapia that is a mouth brooder and so
what happens is after the females lay
the eggs the males fertilize them and
once the baby tilapia hatch the small
tilapia will actually swim into the
male's mouth and he'll carry them around
protecting them as well as taking them
to their food source so he'll bring them
to the areas that are heavy in
vegetation and algae and Plankton and
open his mouth to let him come out and
feed but the moment there's any danger
in the area he sucks them back in to
protect them so tilapia really are a
fascinating fish and we had a handful
survive from last year and it's very
interesting how they're all albino but
now it's time to check in on Cedar Falls
Water clarity's looking good and Greg
the pond guy is going to be stopping by
to add some aquatic plants but it's that
time of year where we have Tad poles in
the pond from all the mating toads and
they're a welcomed Edition because
they're an excellent Cleanup Crew you
can you see how good they clean the
rocks and they basically feed 24/7 and
then when they get big enough the
bluegills will eat some before they turn
into a toad and hop out of the
pond but check out this other guest we
had visit the pond it's the first snake
we've seen in here and you all know I'm
terrible at identifying snakes but this
doesn't look like a venomous one but if
any of you can identify it leave it in
the comments down below but you can see
the fish don't seem to be bothered by
him at all I think he's a friendly
little snake just looking for a minnow
although it does make me question
swimming in this Pond
now but let's check in on two of the
stars of the show are little Tiger Bass
we call Johnny and June and here lately
they've been very entertaining because
we work as a team they love it when I
stop by the pond because I spook all of
the golden shiners out of the shallow
pockets and they're waiting right there
in the deeper water to Ambush them and
Ed purposely designed this Pond to have
those shallow Pockets so the bait could
hide and get away but whenever they all
group up there I prefer to see some
fireworks and Johnny and June move so
fast it's hard for me to tell which one
it is but it's fun to
watch we even have Mr Snake over there
watching and learning a thing or two so
now let's check in on the prawns if you
missed our last video we stocked 5,000
prawns in the 5 acre Pond the Wetland
filter of Cedar Falls and the rest went
into this stock tank and I've been
feeding them a heavy protein diet and
they started out as post larvae and
they're getting big quick but I am
always amazed that they grow from this
size to a jumbo shrimp in about four to
5 months so I had this new idea since I
had these tiny protein pellets I decided
to toss some of them up in the waterfall
the same area that all the golden
shiners are hanging out and let that
current send those floating pets down
the stream and see if it would draw some
of those golden shiners out and right
away I could tell that it was working
and you can see the bass are locked and
ready got him so if you all recall this
big tree that they carve the seats out
during the pond build look what we have
down here near the trunk of it a new
tree is sprouting wouldn't that be cool
if a tree grew out of the base of this
tree so I might should have put a
tilapia up here in the Wetland filter
because we have some algae here as well
but check out these new little fish that
hatched I'm not 100% sure what type they
are but I'm sure Truman the little bass
fry that we added up here is happy to
see them but here's two that couldn't be
happier with the addition of the new
tilapia and that's the pair of bald
eagles they feasted on quite a few this
past winter and already have their eye
on them but look who showed back up it's
one of their babies and you can see this
juvenile bald eagle starting to turn
colors and we hadn't seen him in a few
months but man his color patterns are
all over the place he's got white
splotches on his back his tail and his
head so we're happy to see him stop by
for a visit but we got a new visitor and
I'm not 100% sure what this is look at
that hair so my guess is it's probably a
haulk but it's kind of hard to tell with
this lighting it's for sure not an
osprey it's probably only half the size
of an osprey but I'm guessing it's some
variety of Hulk using the eagle Tower
when they're not around if you missed
our last video we added this volcano
pump to help out with the pon ation and
it provides a ton of benefits but I did
have several questions about things like
energy usage so with a pond diffuser
with those you can turn them on and
leave them on all year long but these
surface air Raiders provide most of
their benefits during the hours of the
day where the pond water has the least
amount of dissolved oxygen and a lot of
people think that that's when the sun is
highest and it's the hottest part of the
day but it's actually the opposite of
that pond water has the most dissolved
oxygen late in the afternoons because
the sun's been shining all day and the
vegetation has been producing oxygen but
the moment it gets dark out outside
everything starts consuming it and
that's typically the time your fish
could be at risk so with this volcano
pump we're turning ours own a couple
hours before the sun goes down and then
turning it back off about an hour after
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out and stay salty my friends so one of
Greg's friends named Thomas Holt shipped
Us in this package of aquatic plants
that we're not going to be planting in
the Crimson Oak Pond but rather Cedar
Falls so I stored them right here in the
waterfall stream while we wait on the
experts to get here and at first sight
one of my favorite things they shipped
are these tropical lily pads and it took
all of one day for the Toads to get in
here and use the lily pads you can see
that string of eggs right there so more
Tad poles coming and there's some more
those smaller fish hanging out down
there with Truman but one of the lies
they sent is called a Victorian Lily and
this thing can grow to be massive the
lies can grow 6 feet wide and even
support a small human so we might try
that out with Oliver lighter this year
so the reason that we put the fertilizer
near the bottom is because you're going
to lose the fertilizer through the top
because it has a couple of drain holes
in the bottom but you know the
fertilizer is not going to leak through
the plastic the fertilizer is going to
come out the top here so I bet you the
roots are already in this yep look at
how root bound it already is and this
has been growing for how long oh my
goodness one month one month and look at
that and so most people keep the lies in
containers this big and in the first
month that's what the roots look like so
we're going to break a little bit of the
roots right yeah now this may have a um
I'm going to pull this out here this is
the plastic tray the little plastic
drain tray I'll pull that out of
there now the roots will be able to run
a little bit more but look at the
difference in the size of the containers
this by the end of the season will look
like it with the roots the same way it
looks right now that's correct in that
size of a pot you're just imagine how
much more nutrients you're getting
because of the size of the container
okay and then there you go plants man
okay also the width of the pot is more
important than the depth of the pot to
the beach to the beach the edge of the
beach so Greg the pond gu is going to
show a lot more of this on his channel
so make sure to check that out but
there's one thing that's certain anytime
Ed or Greg shows up they bring the rain
and I'm not talking about just a little
bit of rain when Ed was here it rained
for 2 days straight during the pond
build it was a big reason we had so much
dirt and mud in the Wetland filter and
now that Greg's here we've got a major
flood coming so some of our planning got
cut short but I always like watching the
storm footage and it'll let me know if
there's any areas we have runoff coming
down into Cedar Falls because remember
we're trying to keep this Pawn crystal
clear but if you pay close attention
just above the pond there's a ditch that
carries a lot of water down into a drain
and that drain redirects the water into
the Crimson Oak Pond but it is wild that
during some of these heavy rains that
huge drain can't handle that amount of
water flow and here you're seeing some
of that water actually flow out of the
top of the drain but fortunately the
storm ended before it could get out of
hand and unfortunately it dired up the
water just enough to where we can't see
the fish but you can see when the pond
water level gets high we have it
overflow down these rocks and into the 5
acre Pond and that's working perfectly
as designed but one of the cool things
about what Thomas sent is some of these
lily pads have blooms that come out
during the daylight hours and others
have blooms that come out at night so
right as the sun's starting to set
they'll open up and stay open all night
and even the first couple hours of
daylight so Liz was really happy when
she saw these guys show up and they're
known as a redwinged blackb bird but
these colorful males will spend most of
their day competing with the other males
and whistling little birdie songs trying
to lure the females
in and they're very competitive and one
of the traits they have is they like to
get up high and for those that were on
the eagle Tower that's about as high as
you can get but they'll Flex those wings
out and try to call the ladies in and
they're not the only ones using the
eagle Tower we had an osprey show up and
he's having a fight the winds and
rain probably not going to be doing any
fishing today there's one fish out here
that's not too happy with all these
mating toads and that's Mr Moby so we're
going to be giving you an update on him
the backyard pond and all the fish that
are in it and we're also going to be
doing a spring cleaning as you can see
every year these plants will get out of
control if you don't do a little
maintenance and cut them back some so
there's a quick beforehand look but also
let's check out the waterfall area and
there's a noticeable difference between
this waterfall and the new one at Cedar
Falls and I love how all the natural
mosses and ferns have showed up gives it
that big time nature look like you see
down in the creek in the woods so if you
have one of these ponds and you don't
have a good vacuum I'd highly recommend
it I'll give you a quick example of how
good it works on these aqua blue stones
you can see it pulls that brown stained
dirt look right off the rocks and you
can see that natural blue color but
someone that's not happy with this
invasion is one of the Ninja Turtles but
while I was going through pulling some
of the weeds out I heard the big
bullfrog so let's go see if we can find
him there he is and that's actually not