Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
All of our resources are free. Please don't hesitate to share them with others!
Search
What is the best material for a nursery pond liner?
Reinforced polyethylene, or RPE, is a popular investment in order to assure watertight seals and safe, clean water. This material is lightweight, resistant to tears or damage, and easily manufactured in custom shapes or sizes.
Read More
How do I change the water in a nursery pond?
Nursery pond water is changed by removing around 10% of the water within each or every other week, and then replacing it with clean water.
Read More
What are some nursery pond pests?
Common pests found in nursery ponds include unwanted fish, predatory insects, or stubborn algae blooms.
Read More
How big should a nursery pond be?
Nursery ponds can come in any size -- you'll want to choose this based on the amount of space that you have, how many fry you want to raise at a time, and how you intend to treat the water within.
Read More
Do nursery ponds need fertilizer?
In order to grow natural food organisms like plankton and allow water chemistry to stabilize, fertilizers should be added before fry are introduced to the nursery pond.
Read More
Are seasonal nursery ponds better?
Seasonal nursery ponds allow for time for the pond to rest between each stage of new fry, preventing unwanted algae and fish from getting a foothold, and helping remove unwanted toxins.
What's the best kind of nursery pond?
The ideal type of nursery pond for your set-up will depend on the kind of fish that you're wanting to help grow, and the size and conditions you're working within.
Read More
How do you remove algae from a nursery pond?
Algae can be skimmed off the top of a nursery pond, or aerators can be installed to help support low-oxygen conditions.
Read More
Are there different types of nursery ponds?
Nursery ponds can come as excavated or compounded reservoirs, or be formed by trapping fish within a mesh pen or cage.
Read More
Why should you use a seasonal nursery pond?
Seasonal nursery ponds allow for time for the pond to rest between each stage of new fry, preventing unwanted algae and fish from getting a foothold, and helping remove unwanted toxins.
Read More
Why do nursery ponds need to rest each year?
A resting period for a nursery pond means that unwanted weeds, pests, and fish are all discouraged from developing a strong presence in the water.
Read More
How much oxygen does a nursery pond need?
Optimal oxygen levels will vary on your water quality and number of fish, but most fish are happy in an environment with oxygen levels of 6 to 9 ppm.
Read More
How often do you change nursery pond water?
Nursery pond water should be changed every one to two weeks with the use of a filter, but will need to be changed more often if a filter isn't used between cleanings.
Read More
When should you stock a nursery pond?
Yearround designs will have the ability to provide ideal conditions at most any time; however seasonal nursery ponds exposed to the elements do best when stocked in the early spring.
Read More
What stage of fish live in nursery ponds?
Fish live within nursery ponds during their fry to fingerling stages of life.
Read More
How many fish can go in a nursery pond?
How many fish you're able to place in your nursery pond will depend on available feed for incoming fry and the resilience of your chosen fish, with an average optimal density of about 50-150 fry per cubic meter.
Read More
Why are seasonal ponds good?
Seasonal nursery ponds allow for a 'refreshing' period between each stocking of new fish, this gives weeds and pests a chance to be cleared out, and reduces energy costs.
Read More
What's the best fish for nursery ponds?
Lots of fish can do well in aquaculture, and therefore artificial nursery ponds, with the best options being those that grow generally quickly, and are durable against stress or poor conditions.
Read More
What are the types of nursery ponds?
Nursery ponds can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from excavated reservoirs, to concrete, tarpaulin, or rubber ponds, or even by simply enclosing fish via a mesh cage.
Read More
What is the best liner for nursery ponds?
The ideal liner for a nursery pond is able to prevent the leaching or absorbtion of dangerous toxins, and is resistant to frequent drainings or maintenance.
Read More
What is a nursery pond in aquaculture?
A nursery pond is one of the first stages fish go through when maturing in aquaculture, where fry develop into 3 to 4 inch fingerlings.
Read More
What makes the best fish nursery pond?
Lots of fish can be a great choice for different aquaculture designs, with fast-growing and hardy fish like tilapia or catfish being popular choices.
Read More
What is the function of nursery pond?
Nursery ponds serve as a safe place for vulnerable and small fry to develop the scales and fins that they develop in the fingerling stage.
Read More