Posted 2010-08-04 11:38:55
 RedBullHorn, on 2010-08-03 09:22:40, said:
EM-A - Activated EM ( http://www.emsustains.co.uk/EM-A.htm )
EM is sold as EM-1, which is EM in its dormant state and which has a shelf life of 12 months if the bottle is unopened. However, because the EM is dormant it will require both food and warmth before it reaches its full potential it is therefore recommended that it is activated before using - this is also he most cost effective method.
Making EM-A is done by mixing EM-1 with sugar cane syrup (molasses), not sugar beet syrup and water and allowing them to ferment in a sealed vessel (ensure a one way valve is present, so that the CO2 produced during the fermentation can escape) for 7 days at @ 30deg centigrade. Mix at the ratio 5% EM-1:5% molasses:90% water. Do not use a metallic heating element in the fermenter - a thermostatically controlled fish tank heater is ideal.
Practical tips for making EM-A
- A good fermentation process leads to white yeast flakes on the surface of the EM-Active. These flakes are harmless and do not affect the product or its use.
- EM-Active has a shelf life of 4 weeks. The sweet and sour smell is a good indicator of perishability. If the EM has a rotten smell then it is no longer suitable for use.
- EM preparations are best kept in plastic bottles or containers. Do not keep in glass or metal containers (because of the formation of gas)
- It is important to use good quality water to make EM preparations. Rain water, spring water or filtered water is better than mains water that contains chlorine. The effectivity of EM is slightly reduced by the presence of chlorine and other chemicals. Water that has been treated with EM ceramics is ideal.
- The bacteriological activity of EM-A is reduced at temperatures lower than 6 °C. The micro-organisms are not dead, just lying dormant and are reactivated again when the temperature increases.
- Spraying, atomising or scattering of EM preparations should be done with a diluted solution of 1:100. This is best carried out in the morning or evening or during wet weather.
- If applying EM-A outside, don't do so in strong sunlight as this is detrimental to photosynthetic bacteria in EM.
Thanks again for more great info RBH.
Posted 2010-08-05 11:05:46
It seems that the wife is only using second level EM. We just stated using it this week. RBH stated that he uses EM at 150ml/3M3. Our big tanks are 6 M3, so the wife is suppose to put 300ml/tank upon a water change. We change the water when the fish start hanging around the surface. Wish aitch52 would have more input here, on their experience on this. I will report back on the results of how it prolongs the need to change water.
We have sold out this first batch, but should have a few thousand ready by the end of the month. We mounted 2 small pumps on 2 of the tanks, to circulate water (40L/M), to stimulate growth in the smaller fish, which will follow, in order not to interrupt sales. This seems to be working.
Posted 2010-08-05 11:53:12
Hi Mellow and RBH
Sorry to have been so tardy M but we have been working flat out at the school in readiness for a competition in Chiang Mai last week end from 00 sparrow fart to late at night. Glad it's over. Our experiences, we have 2 tanks 8m3, Plah Duk 1st and 2nd cycle and Lahd Schia 3rd, Plah Duk were a disappointment, sold about half of the 1st cycle at 300 grams, combined the remaining undersized fish with the 2nd cycle to grow on, estimated 2700 fish in the tank, harvested them and sold them at farm gate and roadside for 45 Baht / kilo. Remaining undersized fish were cleaned and sun dried and sold at 80 baht / kilo. The boss sad she could get 60 Baht at market, but that was a pipe dream. As we harvested the 2nd cycle the drought hit full on and our water supply was cut. We are now in our twelfth week without running water and the Lahd Schia have not had a water change in all that time. Prior to losing the water supply we were doing an 80% water change every 4 - 5 days and a few handfuls of rocksalt slung in with a couple of handfuls of Poon Kaeow occasionally.
They do however seem to be thriving at the moment and are going for harvest this weekend/ next week. We started with 1750 so considering they are cannibalistic we have no idea how many are in the tank, but at feeding time about two thirds of the surface of the tank is covered with writhing fish doing their pirhana impression. Despite the fact that the water has a mildly unpleasant odour, we tried a couple of them at the weekend and they are delicious, firm fleshed and fat.
I don't have much involvement with the project as I am away working during the week. Ours is a small relatively new operation, we do have space for several more tanks, I have no illusions about getting rich with this little project, just enough to cover the household bills and a couple of 20 kilo sacks of rice a month over the operating costs will do me just fine. I have never heard of EM before but will take time to study up on it thanks again for all the info.
Cheers
Aitch
Posted 2010-08-05 14:54:31
[[/quote]
Sorry to hear about your water problem. Is it possible to dig a well there? Sure would like to talk to your wife on how she kept those fish alive. Well, we are getting some rain now, and life will be easier for all.
[/quote]
Thanks Mellow, I am also amazed that she has kept the fish alive, the only direct action she has taken is to reduce feeding to once a day and also reduced the amount given. Indirect action is to visit the Wat and pray, pray and pray some more lol. There is a definite odour coming from the tank now, detectable at about ten metres, not overly unpleasant but not nice either.
Will let you know how it all turns out.
Posted 2010-08-05 20:12:59
I pray for 7 months since last December...
Edited by RedBullHorn, 2010-08-05 20:15:50.
Posted 2010-08-05 20:13:19
Quote
EM
Unlike salt you could add in now and then, it is recommended that EM be use at the begining of a new water change...can be added later too as you please but not economically wise...
EM can boost immune system of fishes but if it is 5 days interval for that volume of fishes in a tank for a water change...don't wait any longer to do it, just have self-discipline with the practice.
EM doesn't prolong the period you need to change water, its purposes are to boost immune system of the fishes and tackle some bad bacterias, please bear this in mind at all times, for Big Ooi at 300gm a fish is the limit the market will take (3/4/5 fishes/kg are very good size, not a disappointment) for Lat Sia the market prefer not more than 1 kg ( 1/2/3 fishes/kg are expected )
The last time i've this drough problem, the solution for me was to get rid of them all at a small lost or break even, after that i sleep very well at night with no worries.
I reckon it's a bit to late for you guys without water to dig a well, should try recycling the water with a filtering system to back filling the water...
Edited by RedBullHorn, 2010-08-05 20:25:11.
Posted 2010-08-06 06:30:44
mellow1, on 2010-08-05 11:05:46, said:
It seems that the wife is only using second level EM. We just stated using it this week. RBH stated that he uses EM at 150ml/3M3. Our big tanks are 6 M3, so the wife is suppose to put 300ml/tank upon a water change. We change the water when the fish start hanging around the surface. Wish aitch52 would have more input here, on their experience on this. I will report back on the results of how it prolongs the need to change water.
We have sold out this first batch, but should have a few thousand ready by the end of the month. We mounted 2 small pumps on 2 of the tanks, to circulate water (40L/M), to stimulate growth in the smaller fish, which will follow, in order not to interrupt sales. This seems to be working.
Only straight from the bottle when first introduce of fingerlings to the tanks... but upon first water change and onwards , 2nd level brew, the amount to apply can be double or triple, as you please...my 2nd level brew are all repack into 1.25 lit Coke plastic bottles and store in shelves with cloth covered so no light can get through...so when it's time to do water change, i'll just grab a bottle and empty it all into 3 m3 tank. ( i have 3 sure holding tanks)
Edited by RedBullHorn, 2010-08-06 06:34:29.
Posted 2010-08-06 16:37:48
RedBullHorn, on 2010-08-05 20:12:59, said:
I pray for 7 months since last December...
Thought you where good at math. Suppose to be 12.
Posted 2010-08-06 16:58:37
RedBullHorn, on 2010-08-05 20:13:19, said:
Quote
EM
Unlike salt you could add in now and then, it is recommended that EM be use at the begining of a new water change...can be added later too as you please but not economically wise...
EM can boost immune system of fishes but if it is 5 days interval for that volume of fishes in a tank for a water change...don't wait any longer to do it, just have self-discipline with the practice.
EM doesn't prolong the period you need to change water, its purposes are to boost immune system of the fishes and tackle some bad bacterias, please bear this in mind at all times, for Big Ooi at 300gm a fish is the limit the market will take (3/4/5 fishes/kg are very good size, not a disappointment) for Lat Sia the market prefer not more than 1 kg ( 1/2/3 fishes/kg are expected )
The last time i've this drough problem, the solution for me was to get rid of them all at a small lost or break even, after that i sleep very well at night with no worries.
I reckon it's a bit to late for you guys without water to dig a well, should try recycling the water with a filtering system to back filling the water...
Hi RBH,
Around here the preferred size seems to be 4-5/K, we only have one customer who prefers 2-3/K. Of course we don't yet have buyers who will by large quantities at a time, as you do, yet. Something we are hoping for. But the wife was able to sell 50K/day, till we run out. First run on this. I was pretty proud of her, as I'm sure Itch52 is of his wife, for keeping them alive for so long.
We have a well for both the systems here. we want to try to increase the water changes not only to cut down on the use of electricity, but to free up our workers for other jobs, and to simplify the whole thing, for everyone. We are rookies, but eager ones. You have already helped us out a great deal on this. Thank you.
Posted 2010-08-06 17:04:18
RedBullHorn, on 2010-08-06 06:30:44, said:
mellow1, on 2010-08-05 11:05:46, said:
It seems that the wife is only using second level EM. We just stated using it this week. RBH stated that he uses EM at 150ml/3M3. Our big tanks are 6 M3, so the wife is suppose to put 300ml/tank upon a water change. We change the water when the fish start hanging around the surface. Wish aitch52 would have more input here, on their experience on this. I will report back on the results of how it prolongs the need to change water.
We have sold out this first batch, but should have a few thousand ready by the end of the month. We mounted 2 small pumps on 2 of the tanks, to circulate water (40L/M), to stimulate growth in the smaller fish, which will follow, in order not to interrupt sales. This seems to be working.
Only straight from the bottle when first introduce of fingerlings to the tanks... but upon first water change and onwards , 2nd level brew, the amount to apply can be double or triple, as you please...my 2nd level brew are all repack into 1.25 lit Coke plastic bottles and store in shelves with cloth covered so no light can get through...so when it's time to do water change, i'll just grab a bottle and empty it all into 3 m3 tank. ( i have 3 sure holding tanks)
Thanks for that.
Posted 2010-08-06 20:16:19
mellow1, on 2010-08-06 16:37:48, said:
RedBullHorn, on 2010-08-05 20:12:59, said:
I pray for 7 months since last December...
Thought you where good at math. Suppose to be 12.
Hahaha....end Dec 2009 - mid July 2010 (the first flow in the stream with the first heavy down pour), yeah...roughtly 7 months, imagine what i've gone through, with all the prayers and the rain dance ritual 
Posted 2010-08-07 15:45:12
Hi RBH and Mellow
A hearty thankyou RBH for sharing your hard won knowledge with us, it has been a great help. Yes you must be proud Mellow, goodonya both!! Will let you know how we get on getting the fish to market. Water came on today, lots of leaks in the blue pipe where it has degraded in the sun, in town at the moment buying new.
Cheers all
Aitch
Posted 2010-08-07 15:47:40
Yes I can imagine what you have been going through RBH, keep the rain dances going tho it seems to be working
Posted 2010-08-07 20:02:40
aitch52, on 2010-08-07 15:45:12, said:
Hi RBH and Mellow
A hearty thankyou RBH for sharing your hard won knowledge with us, it has been a great help. Yes you must be proud Mellow, goodonya both!! Will let you know how we get on getting the fish to market. Water came on today, lots of leaks in the blue pipe where it has degraded in the sun, in town at the moment buying new.
Cheers all
Aitch
yea, they aint got no fish here too.
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