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Module 3. Fishpond

An accurate preparation prior to the construction of a fishpond is the

key to a successful aquaculture business venture. The preparation of the
needed resources helps in mobilizing aquaculture activities thus saving time,
effort and money. Aquaculture preparation involves identifying the needed
resources, preparing of program of works and making a layout plan for a
fishpond.

Content Standard Performance Standard

1. The learner demonstrates

1. The learner independently and
understanding of the underlying
accurately draws the layout plan of a
concepts in drawing the layout plan
fishpond.
of a fishpond.
2. The learner independently evaluates
2. The learner demonstrates
a suitable site for a fishpond.
understanding of the underlying
concepts in evaluating a suitable site
for fishpond.

Lesson 1. Draw the Layout Plan of a Fishpond

Introduction

The fishpond is a common fixture in the Philippine rural setting and

perhaps second only to the rice fields in terms of providing livelihood and
income for farmers (PCAMRD, 1998).

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Fishponds or earthen ponds are found in almost all parts of the country
and are used in the breeding, nursery and grow out of various food fishes.
These earthen structures serve as an important factor in the increased
production of the country’s most important cultured freshwater fish, the tilapia
(PCAMRD, 1998).

This module will provide you with basic skills in drawing the layout plan
of a fishpond. This will also help you familiarize with the different pond
compartments and accessory units of a fishpond system and guide you to
evaluate a site for fishpond construction.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. draw the layout plan of a fishpond system using a particular scale.
2. specify facilities, equipment, tools and materials in the proposals based on
survey results.
3. determine the number of water pumps to be installed and the location of
the ground water.
4. plan and layout other pond facilities.

Pre-Assessment

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of your choice in
your test notebook.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Nursery Pond a. It is for confining breeders.
b. It is used for confining and catching fry,
2. Transition Pond
fingerlings, and fish of marketable size.
3. Rearing Pond c. It supplies water to the different compartments

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d. It is intended for producing food such as “lab-

4. Breeding Pond
lab” (plankton) and “lumot”.
e. It is a pond compartment intended for the rearing
5. Catching Pond
of fish fry to fingerlings.
f. It is a structure that controls the water in the
6. Head Pond
entire pond system.
g. It surrounds the entire pond system to ensure
7. Feed Pond
protection and safety of the stocks.
h. It divides the pond system into several
8. Water Supply Canal
compartments.
i. It controls the incoming and outgoing water in
9. Main Gate
the different pond units.
10. Secondary Gate j. It is for storing reserve water.
k. It is intended for raising fingerlings up to a
11. Tertiary Gate
marketable size.
l. It is intended for depositing eggs until they are
12. Perimeter Dike
hatched.
m. It controls the incoming and outgoing water in
13. Secondary Dike
the smaller compartments of the pond system.
n. It is intended for the acclimatization of
14. Tertiary Dike
fingerlings.
o. It subdivides the pond into smaller
15. Hatching Pond
compartments

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SCALING

A scale is the ratio of the distance on the map or drawing and distance
on the ground. It is widely used by engineers, architects, professors and all
other fields.

Formula:

Scale: Map or Drawing Distance (m)

Ground Distance (m)

Example of a scale is 1:10m, 1:100m, 1:1000m, etc.

Problem Solving

To determine the ratio of drawing with the following ground

measurements of 125m long and 80m wide is to do the ratio and proportion
formula, thus;

1m (map) = X map
1000m (ground) 125m (ground)

1000m X = (1m) (125)

X = 125 m2
1000m
X = 0.125m or 12.5cm

Or do the division and multiplication process, thus

a. 1 x 125 m
1000

0.001 x 125 m = 0.125 m or 12.5 cm

b. 1 x 125 m = 125 m = 0.125 m or 12.5 cm

1000 1000

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The Fishpond Layout

A fishpond is an artificial body of water consisting of dikes, gates, pipes

and canals to facilitate water supply management.

In view of the high cost of fishpond development, improved types and

the specifications of pond designs must be considered. These depend on the
nature and quality of water supply and the species of fish to be cultivated.

Below is a sample layout of a conventional fishpond system with the

following specifications:

Area = 10,000 m2

Nursery Pond (NP)

= 1% of the total production area

Transition Pond (TP)

= 9% of the production area

Figure 1. Conventional Fishpond System

Rearing Pond (RP) = 80% of the production area

Catching Pond (CP) = At least 2% of the NP

NP = 10,000 x 1% TP = 10, 000 x 9% RP = 10 000 x 80% CP = 100 x 2%

= 10,000 x 0.01 = 10, 000 x 0.09 = 10 000 x 0.80 = 100 x 0.02
= 100 m2 = 900 m2 = 8 000 m2 = 2 m2

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The Compartment Units of a Fishpond System

Figure 2. Transition Pond Figure 3. Rearing Pond

Figure 4. Catching Pond Figure 5. Water Supply Canal

Photos Taken at Malolos Marine Fisheries School and Laboratory, Barangay Balite, City of Malolos, Bulacan
Photos Credited to Eliseo T. Caseres

The Function of the Fishpond Compartments/Units

1. Nursery pond (NP). This is where the fish fry are reared to fingerlings.
The most suitable place for this is a site where it can be easily supplied
with fresh water and can be readily drained even during low tide. The size
of the NP depends primarily on the targeted yearly production of
fingerlings.

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2. Transition pond (TP). This is used for the storage or acclimatization of

fingerlings located adjacent to the nursery pond for effective and easy
transfer of fry. Its pond bottom is constructed 0.20 m lower than that of the
nursery pond.
3. Rearing pond (RP). It is used for raising fingerlings up to marketable size.
It is the largest compartment in the pond system.
4. Breeding pond. It is used for confining the breeders.
5. Hatching pond. It is used for depositing eggs until these are hatched.
6. Catching pond (CP). It is used for confining and catching fry, fingerlings
and fish of marketable size. It is constructed adjacent to the secondary
gate inside the pond.
7. Head pond. It is used for storing reserve water.
8. Feed pond. It is used for producing food such as “lab-lab” and “lumot”. In
fishpond areas where natural foods do not grow well and supplementary
feeding is necessary, one of the RPs or NPs could be utilized as a feed
pond. It should be a separate compartment ideally located near the pond
where supplementary feeding is intended.

Common Accessory Units of a Fishpond and their Functions

1. Main gate. A wooden or concrete structure that controls water in the pond
system
2. Secondary gate. Controls the incoming and outgoing water in the different
pond units
3. Tertiary gates or pipes. Controls the incoming and outgoing water in the
smaller compartments of the pond system.
4. Main/perimeter dike. Surrounds the entire pond system to ensure
protection and safety of the stocks. It is composed of the biggest and

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highest blocks of earth and is usually provided with strong basal

foundation and puddle trench.
5. Secondary dike. Subdivides the pond system into several compartments
with or without basal foundation and puddle trench.
6. Tertiary dike. Subdivides the pond system into smaller compartments and
serves as partition in the nursery pond.

Figure 6. Main gate Figure 7. Secondary gate

Figure 8. Tertiary gate Figure 9. Main/Perimeter Dike

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Figure 10. Secondary Dike Figure 11. Tertiary Dike

Photos taken at Malolos Marine Fisheries School and Laboratory, Barangay Balite, City of Malolos, Bulacan
Photos credited to Eliseo T. Caseres

Other Pond Support Structures

a. Water supply canals (SC). These canals serve the purpose of

supplying and draining water to and from the pond. The main water
supply canal starts from the main gate and usually transverse the
central portion of the fish farms. The floor slopes towards the gate
floor. A 10-15 ha pond is provided with SC having a width of at least 3
m.
b. Drainage Canals (DC). These are support structures usually
constructed in the outer sides of the pond parallel or perpendicular to
the SC. These are recommended in the intensive culture, especially of
shrimps, to effect flow-through system and better water management.
c. Pumps. These are machines used in pumping water into and out of
the ponds. These are very necessary during the dry season when the
water level is low and the salinity of brackish water ponds become too
high. There must be at least 2 water pumps for every hectare of
fishpond available for use, one as back up pump to the one commonly
used.

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Types of Improved Fishpond Layouts

1. Conventional. It consists
of one main gate and
long water supply canal.
This supplies the
different compartments.

Figure 12. Conventional type fishpond

2. Radiating. It has one

main gate, wide and
short supply canal, and
secondary gates in the
different compartments.

Figure 13. Radiating type fishpond

3. Progressive. It consists
of one main gate, long
supply canal and a
secondary gate
provided to different
compartments of
progressively increasing
areas.

Figure 14. Progressive type fishpond

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4. Specialized. It has one

main gate and one or
two drainage gates.
There is also a
compartment with two
secondary gates and a
large supply and Figure 15. Specialized type fishpond
catching canal/pond.

Advantages of the Improved Types of Layout

1. Easy control of pond water.

2. Easy eradication of fish pest and predator.
3. Easy means of cropping.
4. Cultivation of the pond bottom can be done when desired.
5. Artificial feeding can be conducted easily when resorted to after the
natural food of fish has been consumed.
6. High productivity.

Marginal Information of the Map

The following should appear in a map for a fishpond.
1. Sheet Name or Title. It is the name of the map. This should be placed
on top of the map.
2. Sheet Number. It should be placed on the upper right – hand corner of
the map.
3. Scale. It should be placed at the center, below the map.
4. Legend. It should be placed on the lower right – hand corner of the
map.
5. Edition Note. It should be placed on the lower left – hand corner of the
map.

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Layout Specifications for Brackish Water Fishpond Systems

1. Conventional Pond System. The NP

comprises about 1% of the total
production area (TPA). The TP
comprises about 9% of the TPA. The RP
comprises about 80% of the TPA. The
CP intended for a NP and TP must be at
least 2% of the compartment’s watered
area and 1 to 1½ if it is intended for the Figure 16.Conventional pond
RP. system

2. Modular Pond System. The

NP comprises about 4% of
the TPA. The TP covers
only 6% of the TPA. The RP
is divided into three
Production Process Stages
(PPS). The main idea is to
transfer the fingerlings to the
next larger module. The
Figure 17. Modular Pond System
ratio of the area of the three
stages of PPS is 1:2:4 for
upper PPS and 1:3:9 for
lower PPS.

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3. Multiple Stock/Harvest System. There

will be at least two NP’s comprising
6% of the total production area. A fish
holding canal (FHC), which holds
fingerlings when the rearing ponds are
being prepared, covers at least 1% of
each RP’s area. It is connected to the
RP in such a way that each RP will
have a separate FHC. The RP covers Figure 18. Multiple Stock /Harvest
up to 94% of the TPA including FHC. System

The general practice is to stock at different times different sizes and group of
fingerlings and harvest the bigger ones selectively with the use of the gill net.

Dikes and Gates

1. Dikes
Types of Dikes
a. Primary, main or perimeter dike
- It is the widest among the types of dikes with the most gradual slope.
- It is the dike that should be provided with the freeboard of 0.3 – 1.0
meter
after shrinkage and settlement.
- The dike is usually provided with puddle trench measuring 30 cm in width
and 50 cm in height dug up along the central path of such a dike.
Freeboard – is the additional height of the structure, e.g. main dike,
above high water level to prevent over flow.

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Figure 19. Perimeter/Main Dike

b. Partition Dikes
b.1 Secondary Dike. This is smaller than the main dike with gradual
slope and which encloses the nursery pond, transition pond, and
rearing pond.
b.2 Tertiary dike. It is the smallest and lowest in height which encloses
the catching pond and fry acclimation pond.
4. Gates
a. Primary/Main Gate
- It is the largest and tallest gate in the entire pond system.

Figure 20. Parts of a Concrete Main Gate

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b. Secondary Gate. It is a gate situated on the partition dikes.It is made of

either concrete hollow blocks, reinforced concrete mix, or
wood.
c. Tertiary gate. It is a gate installed in the catching ponds. It is the
smallest gate with opening width of 0.5 – 0.8 m.

Figure 21. Parts of a Wooden Secondary Gate

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I. Directions: Prepare a portfolio or compilation of plates of the different

layouts fishpond, main gate and main dike .

Drawing
Title Date Rating
No.
1 Conventional Type of Fishpond
2 Radiating Type of Fishpond
3 Progressive Type of Fishpond
4 Specialized Type of Fishpond
5 Conventional Fishpond Layout
6 Modular Pond System
7 Multiple Stock/Harvest System
8 Layout of a Main Dike
9 Layout of a Main Gate
Note: Your drawing doesn’t necessarily be scaled.

Directions: In two or three sentences, answer the given questions below.

Write your answers in your test notebook.

1. Why is it important to properly design and layout the fishpond?

2. Why is it important to use a scale in drawing the layout of a fishpond?
3. If you were to choose among the designs of fishpond, what type or design
would you choose? Why?

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Directions: Make a miniature fishpond using the materials listed below. Write
the specifications or designs of your layout.

I. Materials:

Moulding Clay Plywood (1m x 1m) Scissors

Cutter Glue Marker
Card board Tooth pick/bamboo sticks Used net
Ruler Pencil pallet

II. Specific Instructions:

1. First, layout a one hectare fishpond using your pencil and a ruler on a
1 m x 1 m plywood . Decide on the design that you are going to use,
shape, scale, number of compartments, and others.
2. Next, mold a clay using the cutter and pallette into the shape of a
perimeter dike, secondary dike and a tetiary dike. Then place them on
the layout following their specific markings.
3. Then, make the accessory units of your fishpond such as the main
gate, secondary gate and tertiary gate using the other materials.
4. Finally, write the
necessary legends
below your layout using
your marker.

Figure 22. Constructing a Fishpond Scale Model

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Post Assessment

Directions: Match Column A with Column B. Write the letter of your choice in
your test notebook.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1. Nursery Pond a. It is for confining breeders.
b. It is used for confining and catching fry,
2. Transition Pond
fingerlings, and fish of marketable size.
3. Rearing Pond c. It supplies water to the different compartments
d. It is intended for producing fish food such as
4. Breeding Pond
“lab-lab” (plankton) and “lumot”.
e. It is a pond compartment intended for the rearing
5. Catching Pond
of fish fry to fingerlings.
f. A structure that controls the water in the entire
6. Head Pond
pond system.
g. It surrounds the entire pond system to ensure
7. Feed Pond
protection and safety of the stocks.
h. It divides the pond system into several
8. Water Supply Canal
compartments.
i. It controls the incoming and outgoing water in
9. Main Gate
the different pond units.
10. Secondary Gate j. It is for storing reserve water.
k. It is intended for raising fingerlings up to
11. Tertiary Gate
marketable size.
l. It is intended for depositing eggs until they are
12. Perimeter Dike
hatched.
m. It controls the incoming and outgoing water in
13. Secondary Dike
the smaller compartments of the pond system.
n. It is intended for the acclimatization of
14. Tertiary Dike
fingerlings.
o. It subdivides the pond into smaller
15. Hatching Pond
compartments.

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Glossary

Accessory - an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the

beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else

Acclimatization – is the process of adjusting the fish to its new environment

Basal - relating to, situated at, or forming the base

Brackish water – that type of water which is somewhat salty and range from
15 – 35 ppt in salinity; a mixture of fresh and salt water

Breeders – are mature fish species capable of producing their own young

Compartment – an enclosed space or area that is usually part of something

larger and is often used to hold a specific thing

Conventional – usual or traditional

Fingerling – a stage in the life cycle of the fish measuring 6 – 13 cm

depending on the species

Fry - a stage at which a fish has just been hatched usually with sizes from 1 –
2.5 cm

Hectare – a metric unit of land area equivalent to 10, 000 m2

Layout – the design or arrangement of something; the way something is laid

out.

Specification - a detailed description of work to be done or materials to be

used in a project: an instruction that says exactly how to do or make
something

Stock – refers to animal such as fish or shrimp that is being cultured

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Resources

Coursepack:
Republic of the Philippines, Department of Education. Public Technical
Vocational High School. Competency- based learning material. Third Year:
Aquaculture NC II.

Toledo, C. 2009. AQUA203: Aquaculture Engineering. Lecture Manual.

Pangasinan State University, Binmaley Campus.

Website:

Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. Pond
Construction and Maintenance for Tilapia Breeding. PCAMRD
Currents, 3 (2):8p, August 1998.
Retrieved from:
http//dti.gov.phuploadsDownloadableFilesPond%20Tilapia.pdf
Retrieval Date: February 24, 2014
Retrieval Time: 8:49 PM

Meriam- Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/

Others:
Department of Education. Bureau of Secondary Education. Technical
Vocational Unit. Competency-Based Curriculum Aquaculture NC II. 2012.
34p.

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Lesson 2: Evaluate the Suitable Site for Fishpond

Introduction

Aside from good management practices, an ideal site for fishpond

construction ensures success in the aquaculture business. Just like humans,
fishes need a desirable place for them to grow well.

A good source of clean, safe and sufficient water is necessary since

fishes are primarily dependent on it. The water parameters should also be
within the optimum tolerable range of the fish. Other factors like type of soil,
topography, accessibility, vegetation, and socio-economic consideration are
also crucial matters in the success of an aquaculture venture.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. assess the suitability of the site for fishpond construction.
2. analyze the type of soil in the area.
3. determine the adequacy of water in the area using the flow rate
meter.
4. analyze the water parameters in the area.

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Pre-Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

Directions. Choose the correct answer from the options given. Write the
letter only in your test notebook.
1. What is the foremost factor to consider in selecting the suitable site for
fishpond construction?
a. Topography
b. Accessibility
c. Type of Soil
d. Water supply
2. What is the ideal type of soil for fishpond construction?
a. Silty
b. Sandy
c. Clayey
d. Loamy
3. What is the most ideal source of water for a freshwater fishpond?
a. River
b. Spring
c. Irrigation
d. Rain/run-off
4. It is an instrument used to measure the temperature of the water.
a. pH Meter
b. Soil tester
c. Thermometer
d. Refractometer

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5. What is the ideal pH range for the growth and survival of a fish?
a. 4.0 – 5.0
b. 5.1 – 6.4
c. 6.5 – 9.0
d. 11.0 - 14.0
6. The plants that cover the site for fishpond construction are known as
______.
a. Trees
b. Vines
c. Shrubs
d. Vegetation
7. What type of soil has a granular appearance?
a. Mud
b. Clay
c. Loam
d. Sand
8. Which of the following types of container is not ideal for storing water
samples?
a. Polyethylene bags
b. Hard rubber container
c. Empty or used bottles
d. Chemical-resistant glass
9. Which of the following is a socio-economic criterion for selecting a
suitable site for fishpond?
a. Wind protection
b. Soil characteristics
c. Protection from flood
d. Availability of cheap labor

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10. Bio-assay is a simple and practical way to know if the water is safe for the
fish. Which of the following is an example of it?
a. Nasal testing
b. Observing the clearness of the water
c. Tasting the water for any toxic chemicals
d. Getting a pail of water from the water source. Put some fish and
observe if it can survive for 12-24 hours.

Factors to Consider in Selecting Fishpond Site

1. Water Supply.
Water supply is the foremost factor to consider in selecting a fishpond
site. The site must have adequate water supply throughout the year and be
free from pesticide contamination and pollution. Sources of water can be a
surface runoff, stream, creek or irrigation for freshwater fish culture, and
brackish water and sea water for salt water fish production.

Limnological Analysis of Pond Site

a. Flow Rate. The expected time is

determined when the fishpond is
filled with the required amount of
water. Flow rate meters are used to
measure linear, non-linear mass or
volumetric flow of liquids or gases.

Figure 23. Flow Rate Meter

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b. Water Quality Analysis. The collection of a water sample is considered

important.

This is best taken by obtaining a sample of the water column

from top to bottom at the middle of rivers, streams, lakes, and irrigation
canals.

Types of Water Containers for Water Sample

The following are suitable containers for keeping water samples

prior to water quality analysis in the laboratory.

 Chemically resistant-glass
 Polyethylene bags
 Hard rubber container

Figure 24. Figure 25. Polyehtylene Figure 26. Brown/Amber

Chemical bottle bottles
Resistant Glass

How to Handle and Store Samples

Keeping the water samples in storage at 40C is the best way to

preserve them to obtain reliable results.

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Types of Samples

a. Grab or catch sample. A single sample taken neither at set time

nor flow.
b. Composite sample. A combination of individual samples of
water taken at selected interval.
c. Integrated sample. A mixture of grab samples collected from
different points simultaneously.
A simple bio assay can be done using the following techniques:

Place two or three samples of fish Place a hapa or a scoop net with
3-5 samples of fish that you will
that you will culture in a pail full of
culture at least 25-50 m from the
water from the source to be tested water source.
for at least one-half day.

The water is safe to use when the fish samples remain alive
after half a day. Ocular inspection or nasal testing to determine the
presence of toxic substances is generally ineffective.

The maintenance of good water ensures a healthy fish

population because good water quality affects the growth and
reproduction of fish. If the water quality is beyond tolerable limits, fish
health is adversely affected.

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b. Water Temperature. All fishes have tolerable limits to water

temeperature. When water temperature goes beyond or below the
temperature tolerance limit of the fish, the effects are as follows:

 abnormal metabolism resulting in poor growth, abnormal

activities or stress
 poor response to feeds
 very poor feed conversion ratio

An ordinary thermometer or an equivalent device can be used to

measure

water temperature.

Figure 29. A thermometer

c. Hydrogen Ion Concentration (pH). pH is the acidity or alkalinity of

water. If the pH is between 0 and 6 the water is acidic, and if the pH is
7.0, it is neutral. Alkaline water has a pH of 8-14. The ideal pH range
for freshwater fish culture is 6.5 - 8.9.

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The effect of various pH on fish is shown in the table below:

pH Range Effect
0 – 4.0 Fish die because of acidity
4.1 – 5.0 No reproduction

5.1 – 6.4 Slow growth

6.5 – 9.0 Fish thrives well and grows fast

9.1 - 14 Fish dies due to alkalinity

Measure the pH with the use of a litmus paper, pH

comparator, portable pH meter or a Hack kit. Acidic water is sour ;
alkaline water is bitter.

Acidic water is common in swamps and bogs in stagnant

areas. The application of agricultural lime corrects pH in a pond.

Figure 30. pH meter

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d. Ammonia. This is a substance highly toxic to fish. The symptoms of

ammonia toxicity in fish are the following:

 spongy appearance of gill filaments

 presence of bloody gills
 excessive production of slime
 distended operculum
 poor growth of fish

One of the most common causes of high ammonia level in a pond is

the heavy application of manure. The composition of organic matter and the
over growth of plankton increase the ammonia level in the pond water.

2. Soil Type

The soil is a very important factor in the fishpond. It is the material

used for diking and it also serves as the base. It absorbs and releases
nutrients needed by the plants and phytoplanktons that serve as natural food
of fish and shrimps. Furthermore, the quality of pond water is directly affected
by the quality of the soil in the fishpond.

Types of Soil

The textural properties of soil determine the sustability of the soil for
fishpond purposes. Clay, clay-loam, silt-clay-loam, loam, and sandy-clay-loam
are the types of soil most preferred for fishpond construction.

The mineral particles of the soil are clay, silt, and sand while the
organic particles are the plant and animal matters at various stages of
decomposition. Soils have assigned textural classes depending on the
varying proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Each textural class exhibits varying
colors which are based on their chemical composition, amount of organic
matters present, and the degree of decomposition.

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The US Department of Agriculture Classification System has classified

soil as follows:

General Terms

Common Texture Basic Soil Textural

Names Class Name
1. Sandy Soil Coarse Sandy
Sandy loam
2. Loamy Soil Moderately Coarse Sandy loam
Fine Sandy loam
Medium to Very Fine Sandy Loam
Moderately Fine Loam
Silt Loam
Silt
3. Clayey Soil Fine Sandy Clay
Silt Clay
Clay
Clay Loam
Sandy Clay Loam
Silt Clay Loam

Clay or sandy clay may be best for dike construction but not as good
as clay loam in terms of growing natural food. Sandy clay loam is the best
type for diking purposes. A high percentage of clay is desired because it has
the largest surface exposed to chemical and physical reactions. Chemical and
physical reactions stimulate the growth of plankton and helpful bacteria. A
sandy loam soil is more porous than silty loam thus, it has a lesser capacity
to hold nutrients.

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Relationship of Soil Classes and Sustainability for Dike Material

Relative Characteristic Compaction Sustainability

Class
Permeability Compressibility Characteristic Dike Material
Clay Impervious Medium Fair to Good Excellent
Sandy
Impervious Low Good Good
Clay
Semi-
Fair to very
Loamy impervious High Fair
poor
to Impervious
Semi-
Good to very
Silty impervious Medium to high Poor
poor
to Impervious
Sandy Pervious Negligible Good Poor
Peaty - - - Very poor

Field Determination of Soil Textural Class

The determination of the soil class is made in the field mainly by

feeling the soil with the fingers. While this requires skill and experience,
accuracy can be achieved by frequently checking it against established
laboratory results.

The following are the definitions of the basic soil textural classes using the
manual testing in the field;

Sand. A type of loose and single-grained. The individual grains can readily be
seen or felt. Squeezed when dry, it will form a cast which readily falls apart,
but if squeezed when moist, a cast can be formed that will need careful
handling so it will not break apart.

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Loam. A loam is a soil having a relatively even mixture of different grades of

sand and of silt and clay. It is mellow with a somewhat gritty feel, yet fairly
smooth and slightly plastic. Squeezed when dry, it will form a cast that will
bear careful handling, while the cast formed by squeezing the moist soil can
be handled quite freely without breaking.

Silt loam. A silt loam is a soil having a moderate amount of the fine grains of
sand and only a small amount of clay, over half of the particles being of the
size called “silt”. When dry it may appear cloddy but the lumps can be readily
ran together and puddled. Either dry or moist, it will form cast that can be
freely handled without breaking, but when moistened and squeezed between
the fingers, it will not form a “ribbon” but will give a broken appearance.

Clay loam. A clay loam is a fine-textured soil which usually breaks into clods
of lumps that are hard when dry. When the moist soil is pinched between
thumb and fingers, it will form a thin “ribbon” which will break readily, barely
sustaining its own weight. The moist soil is plastic and will form a cast that will
bear much handling. When kneaded in the hand it does not crumble readily
but tends to work into a heavy compact mass.

Clay. It is a fine-textured soil that usually forms very hard lumps or clods
when dry and is quite plastic and usually sticky when wet. When the moist soil
is pinched out between the thumb and fingers, it will form a long, flexible
“ribbon”. Some fine clays that are very high in colloids are friable and lack
plasticity in all conditions of moisture.

Such definitions are suggestive only. An accurate method of

determining textural classes of the soil is by mechanical analysis. In this
analysis, the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay fractions are determined
and by plotting the results in the triangular chart, the textural classification of
the soil can be known. A very rapid method of mechanical analysis is one

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devised by Bouyoucos using a graduated cylinder, hydrometer and

thermometer.

3. Topography
Choose a flat terrain for easier excavation and levelling. If the
topography is too undulating, the construction cost increases greatly and
further excavation work also removes the fertile portion of the pond
bottom. Avoid sites that are frequently flooded. The right topography also
provides easy in water management and control of fish predators and
competitors.
b. Wind direction.
Wind plays a role in fishpond design. Strong wind generates wave
action that weakens the sides of the dike. To minimize this, position the
longer pond dimensions parallel to the direction of the prevailing wind to
lessen the side of the dike exposed to wave action.
4. Protection from flood
If the fishpond site is prone to flooding, construct a diversion canal
along the perimeter dike to divert runoff water during heavy downpour;
construct a larger and higher perimeter dike to prevent the entrance of flood
water.
5. Vegetation.
All kinds and types of plants may cover the proposed fishpond site.
This will be the basis for construction estimate and development cost. If
possible, avoid thickly-vegetated areas.
6. Accessibility or nearness to market
Fish is a perishable commodity, hence the farther the site from the
market, the greater the possibility that the fish will become stale, which will
result in a lower price.
7. Socio-Economic Consideration
Cheap labor and construction materials must be accessible in the
locality. As much as possible, the site should also be accessible to

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sufficient sources of fry or fingerlings for ready stocking. The program of

operation will be hampered if fish seeds are not available when needed.
Moreover, peace and order situation in the locality should be considered
when putting up a fishpond project. The availability of sources of capital
like financial institutions must also be considered.

Directions: Below are pictures with descriptions of the possible site for a
fishpond. With the knowledge you gained from this lesson, assess the
suitability of the site and give some recommendations for the construction of
fishpond.

Figure 31. A 0.5 hectare vacant lot Figure 32. Meycauayan – Obando River

10 meters away from the proposed site

Figure 33. Municipal road 5 meters away from the proposed site

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A. Location of the Site: Barangay Ubihan, City of Meycauayan, Bulacan

B. Area of the Site: 0.5 Hectare

C. Other Descriptions of the Site:

 5 meters away from the municipal road

 Prone to flooding during high tides
 Possible source of water is from a river
 Type of soil is sandy clay
 80% of the people are fishermen and fishpond caretakers

D. Assessment and Recommendations:

Water Supply

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Soil Type

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Vegetation

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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Accessibility

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Flood Hazard

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Socio-economic Consideration

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

E. General Assessment:

Is the site suited for fishpond construction? Why?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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Directions: In your test notebook, answer the questions below.

1. What are the factors that you have to consider in selecting a suitable site
for fishpond?
2. What is the best alternative you should consider if you encounter sites
with low volume water supply or small/narrow tidal difference?
3. Knowing the flood history of the site, what modifications will you do so that
the fishpond that you will construct will be safe from flood waters?

Directions: Conduct a field visit in your locality. Take pictures of the possible
site and assess its suitability in terms of fishpond construction. Fill up the
Assessment Sheet below based from your observation.

Location of the
Site:
Area of the Site:
Possible Source of
Water:
Other Factors: Assessment (Put a check (/) mark under the
appropriate column)
Very Ideal Ideal Not Ideal
a. Type of Soil
b. Topography
c. Vegetation

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d. Accessibility
e. Flood Hazard
f. Socio-economic

Evaluation Criteria:

*Very Ideal – indicates that the site is perfect for the particular indicator

*Ideal – indicates that the site is not so ideal for the particular indicator but
can be resolved through some modifications

*Not Ideal – indicates that the site is not good for the particular indicator

General Assessment/Recommendation:

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Post-Assessment

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

Directions. Choose the correct answer from the given options. Write only the
letter in your test notebook.

1. What is the most important factor to consider in selecting the suitable site
for fishpond construction?
a. Topography
b. Accessibility
c. Type of Soil
d. Water supply
2. What is the ideal type of soil for fishpond construction?
a. Silty
b. Sandy

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c. Clayey
d. Loamy
3. What is the most ideal source of water for a freshwater fishpond?
a. River
b. Spring
c. Irrigation
d. Rain/run-off
4. It is an instrument used to measure the temperature of the water.
a. pH Meter
b. Soil tester
c. Thermometer
d. Refractometer
5. What is the ideal pH range for the growth and survival of a fish?
a. 4.0 – 5.0
b. 5.1 – 6.4
c. 6.5 – 9.0
d. 11.0 - 14.0
6. The plants that cover the site for fishpond construction are known as ___.
a. Trees
b. Vines
c. Shrubs
d. Vegetation
7. What type of soil has a granular appearance?
a. Mud
b. Clay
c. Loam
d. Sand

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8. Which of the following types of container is best recommended for storing

water samples?
a. Polyethylene bags
b. Hard rubber container
c. Empty or used bottles
d. Chemical-resistant glass
9. Which of the following is a socio-economic factor to be considered in
selecting a suitable site for fishpond?
a. Wind protection
b. Soil characteristics
c. Protection from flood
d. Availability of cheap labor
10. Bio-assay is a simple and practical way to know if the water is safe for the
fish. Which of the following is an example of it?
a. Nasal testing
b. Observing the clearness of the water
c. Tasting the water for any toxic chemicals
d. Getting a pail of water from the water source and observing if fish
can survive for 12-24 hours.

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Glossary

Bio-assay. The determination of the relative strength of a substance (as a

drug) by comparing its effect on a test organism with that of a standard
preparation
Bog. A wet spongy ground; especially a poorly drained usually acid area
rich in accumulated plant material, frequently surrounding a body of open
water and having a characteristic flora.

Excavation. The act of digging

Impervious. Not allowing entrance or passage; impenetrable

Limnology. The scientific study of bodies of freshwater (as lakes and rivers)

Linear. Relating to, resembling, or having a graph that is a line and

especially a straight line

Swamp. Land that is always wet and often partly covered with water

Topography. The physical or natural features of a place

Undulating. Having a wavy surface, edge, or marking

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Resources

Coursepack:

Republic of the Philippines, Department of Education. Public Technical

Vocational High School. Competency- based learning material. Third
Year:Aquaculture NC II.

Toledo, C. 2009. AQUA203: Aquaculture engineering. Lecture manual.

Pangasinan State University, Binmaley Campus.

Lecture Notes:

BFAR Region III and Philippine Federation of Aquaculturist, Inc. 1983.

Seminar on prawn and tilapia culture.

Fontanilla, R. and Pediangco, C. Soil conditioning. DA-Aquaculture

Development Project, Ilo-ilo City

Website:
Meriam- Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/

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