A Good Week !

Here is a direct quote from this week's farm report:

"The range and scope of parameters necessary to promote growth are continuing to move towards the optimum benchmarks the system was designed to maintain.  

Oxygens, salinity, and temperature are remaining within optimum ranges with very narrow margins of fluctuation.  Ammonia, nitrite and pH are within safe extremes and continuing to indicate a definitive 3-stage de-nitrification process allowing for the increase in feeding rates as biomass increases.  

As the biomass increases solids production is increasing and the process of managing these solids is becoming more defined and specific as to their treatment.  Although the system appears to be relatively stable at this time, continual adjustment of the different manipulatives will occur as the evolutionary process to the optimum bacterial load proceeds.

Oxygens remain stable with the level of aeration present at this time.  Kasco aerators will begin to appear not only to maintain the levels of oxygen but also to initiate the suspension of some solids in the ponds to promote propagation of suspended “floc” (I’m not sure you can propagate non-living material).  

This process has two main purposes 1) to compliment the bacterial process that will occur in the WWT in ammonia/nitrite reduction and 2) compliment the prepared feed as a dietary supplement for a more complete diet.

The shade/radiant barrier suspension system is being refined in order to install the sample materials.  Although temperatures are within the desired ranges, this will soon change as the equinox approaches.  

This, too, will have a dramatic effect on salinity.  The samples should be up during the next week and also a decision on material type.  This material will then be ordered and the entire system installed within the next 45 days.  It will be very interesting to evaluate the interplay between water and air temperature, salinity and wind during the next year as we move through the different seasons (that’s only if you find this stuff interesting in the first place).

Ammonias have taken a dramatic decline during this week along with a more subdued lowering in nitrite levels.  The effects of the first solids pump, sporadic treatment with sugar and the higher angle of sunlight has initiated a de-nitrification process allowing for the increase in feed rates related to biomass increase.  This process is not only occurring in the WWT but also in the ponds.  This process has been complimented by an increase in algal blooms as evidenced by slightly higher pH levels and an increase in pm oxygen levels even at higher water temperatures and salinities.  

The second solids pump will be installed soon which should enhance the de-nitrification process in the WWT and begin the process of determining the location and types of solids to be removed to Solid Waste Handling  system.  Types of solids removal equipment are being evaluated as more information is available on the types of solids that will move through this equipment.  

At this time a rotating drum filter is looking like the best option but this could change as the solids profile becomes better known and in accordance with anammox produced solids which could differ from the current solids characteristics.

Primary focus for the next interim period is the installation of the second solids pump, installation of the shade/radiant barrier system and defining the solids profile to determine which type of solids removal equipment will match the system needs.  

And of course: Growth, Growth and more Growth!!!!"

What a great report.

And on top of all of this very positive news as our system starts to hit its stride we also found this fellow on site. How cool is that?