Raising Freshwater Prawns in a 100-Gallon Stock Tank

In this video, KT apologizes for the lack of updates due to the pandemic and shares his new project of growing prawns, detailing the setup process, including tanks, filtration, and heating. He shows the different stages of juvenile prawns and sets up a 100-gallon stock tank with filtration and heating systems, promising to provide updates on their growth.

Setting Up a New Prawn Growing System: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Hey everyone, KT here! I hope you’re all doing well and staying healthy. It’s been a while since I’ve posted a video, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, I’m excited to share a new project with you: setting up a prawn growing system. Whether you’re an experienced farmer or a beginner, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Getting Started

First, let’s talk about the prawns. I have three different sizes of juvenile prawns to show you:

1. Small Juvenile Prawns: About half an inch to three-quarters of an inch in length and around 25 to 30 days old.
2. Medium Juvenile Prawns: Approximately 40 to 45 days old and over an inch to an inch and a quarter in size.
3. Large Juvenile Prawns: Around 90 days old and about an inch and a half in length.
   

   Setting Up the Container

   For this project, I’m using a 100-gallon stock tank that I got from Tractor Supply. Although the label says 110 gallons, it’s actually 100 gallons. Here’s how I set it up:

4. Cleaning the Tank: I let the tank sit outside filled with water for a couple of weeks. After draining and cleaning it, I brought it to my basement.
5. Filling the Tank: I filled the tank with tap water and treated it. It takes a while to fill up a 100-gallon tank, so be patient.
   

   Filtration System

   For filtration, I use a homemade filter made from a one-gallon ice cream container and a PVC pipe. Inside, I added bio balls and ceramic media for biological filtration, along with some air filtration pieces for mechanical filtration.

   • Assembling the Filter: I put all the filtration media inside the container and covered it. An air stone drives the filtration, forcing water through the media to keep it clean.
   • Installing the Filter: I placed the filter in the tank and connected the air stone. This setup should be sufficient for a 100-gallon tank.
     

     Adding the Water Heater

     To maintain the right temperature, I used a 300-watt water heater. Initially, one heater wasn’t enough, so I added a second one. I also covered the tank with plastic to retain heat. The target temperature is around 78°F.

     Preparing the Substrate

     I created a netting substrate with eight layers, each measuring two by two feet. This provides ample space for the prawns to grow.

     Introducing the Prawns

     Finally, it’s time to release the prawns into their new home. I started with 28 prawns, ensuring they had enough space to thrive in the 100-gallon tank. Here’s how I did it:

6. Acclimating the Prawns: I let the prawns sit in the tank for about 20 minutes to adjust to the water temperature.
7. Releasing the Prawns: Carefully, I counted and released 28 prawns into the tank.
   

   Conclusion

   And that’s it! The prawns are now in their new environment, and I’ll be monitoring their growth closely. I’ll provide an update in about a month to let you know how they’re doing.

   Thank you for following along! If you found this guide helpful, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel. Stay safe, stay healthy, and I’ll see you next time!

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   Keywords:

   • Prawn growing
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   • Air stone
   • Water heater
   • Netting substrateBy incorporating these keywords naturally throughout the guide, this blog post aims to be both engaging and SEO-friendly, helping you set up your prawn growing system successfully.