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AquaRanch™ Systems Liners for Tanks & Ponds Aquaculture in Education Comments & Articles |
Fisheries
AquaRanch™
Letter from Daniel Ginter, Byron High School AgriScience Instructor Statements "Becoming involved in the aquaculture business has been a real challenge. Mr. Harston [of AquaRanch Industries] has provided valuable information that has helped our program become successful and one of the most productive in the area!" "I have used several different aquaculture systems for our intensive production operation and have found that these systems have proven to produce the best product with the least amount of maintenance." "I added a clarifier to my system. The fish grew faster and it cut the cleaning way down." "I really like it! Thanks for all of your help." "Since I converted from the rotating biological filter system from another company to the Fecal/Particle Clarifier system, there has been less maintenance in cleaning and less odor involved when producing fish in an enclosed environment." "We have had few problems compared to other schools with different systems. "The system is designed for easy maintenance. We finished 150 lbs Catfish in the 250 gallon system." "We have been in Aquaculture Education for several years. We have tried other systems but have always returned to the AquaRanch, they are the most reliable systems we have used. The assistance we get from the technical support are matched by none. If you are a beginner or someone who is experienced, the Aquaculture Division of Ringger Foods [AquaRanch Industries] is the place to go for quality equipment and industry know how." "Simple to set up. System worked well!" "Your system is better designed than anything at the World Aqua Culture Show." "We have two of your systems. We will add two more soon." "Last Friday we had a fish fry at the High School. We offered a fish sandwich, cole slaw, baked beans, chips, dessert, and a drink for $5.00. We sold 100 tickets and sold out in 3 days! The fish fry was a big success with the community, faculty, and students. The bottom line is our tilapia fish project has been a huge success. I am offering an Aquaculture-Environmental Science course for next year, and the class was filled immediately! Thank you again for helping to provide our school with this excellent learning lab. I have really enjoyed the learning experience." "System works great!" To: Myles Harston, AquaRanch Industries, Ringger Foods Aquaculture Divison
"I have recently had the time to think of the whirlwind venture that you helped me get started in 12 years ago, Aquaculture Education. This past school year topped off our most successful year we have ever had in Aquaculture Education. Much of that success is due to the relationship that you and I have developed over these last 12 years in creating such a program here at Byron.
When we first started out I remember touring your small facilities and looking at the prototype of a 250 gallon recirculating system complete with a bio tower. I was very impressed with the system and the ease in which it could be maintained. We purchased one of these systems and thus began our program.
I guess the biggest reason for this development of our relationship has been the tremendous after purchase consultation that you have given me. I couldn't even guess of how many hours you and I spent on the phone the first year trying to school me on running the systems and brainstorming ways in which to make it better. This after sale consulting and assistance is by far the most valuable of the assets I gained from purchasing from you.
As we started to gain more knowledge in the industry I decided to get the program larger and get my students more involved. Again, I turned to you for your assistance on fitting equipment to my need, budget, and space. We stepped up to the 750 gallon system. This time, by including our students more in the development of the equipment you were more than willing to take these students 'under your wing' and discuss with them any problems and give solutions to this program. You were also invaluable on giving more detailed information as we needed it in becoming bigger.
Not that there was anything wrong with your systems, but we decided to see what other types were out in the market. We decided to purchase a comparable sized system from your competition. In doing so, we were basically putting these systems on trial to see how thay worked side by side. Although the educational experience was good for the student's point of view the success of the program was in jeopardy because of the lack of quality equipment and assistance we received from your competition. I would not make that mistake again. I would not buy any other equipment from anyone other than you.
Some 7 years ago I approached you on our largest undertaking. With the school boards approval we began the development of the Byron Tecnology Center's AquaScience lab. With in the walls of this lab we were to build one of the largest Aquaculture re-circulating labs, as far as high schools go, in the country. With your assistance and several faxes back and forth you created several pod systems within the parameters of the facilities. We added 10 tanks to the lab ranging in size from 80 gallons to 2200 gallons. From a production feeding pod system to a breeding system. This was a tremendous undertaking to make sure it fit with the drainage and the dynamics of the room. Of course it did and over the course of those first few years you and I again used up our fair share of phone time discussing the maintenance of the equipment and the redesigning of the equipment to meet our needs.
I guess the biggest things that impressed me throughout this process was the fact that you physically came up a number of times to check out our facilities and see how we could improve them. And you again took my students 'under your wing' and guided them in helping you with these improvements. Your assistance throughout this entire process was invaluable to my students and me.
You and I have spent a great deal of hours on brainstorming and problem solving several ideas over the past 12 years. These sessions benefitted our program tremendously. Your ability to be receptive to new ideas, 'what ifs', and brainstorming is a valuable asset to your company.
Another valuable asset is your ability to read the industry. Many aspects of the Aquaculture industry is in their embryo stage. But your networking skills has drawn you to the front on knowing where the industry has been, where the industry is now, and the direction the Aqua industry is heading. This knowledge has been a big help in keeping our program up to date and futuristic in its thinking. When I ask you what is new or what is coming up you are always on top of that. What a valuable tool to have.
As I mentioned earler, we had our most successful year ever. We recently graduated our largest class ever. Many of these students had the opportunity to take the Aqua program within their time in high school and will be able to carry that knowledge throughout their careers. We recently had our largest harvest of 2700 Tilapia. We recently had our largest fish sale of 233 pounds of fillets that brought in our largest revenue to the program. Finally, we are about to approach a time where we can stock our own tanks through the use of our breeding program.
This is a very exciting time for our program and we owe much of this due to your expertise, time, willingness, and friendship in helping us these past 12 years.
I wanted to take this time to thank you for those qualities and I look forward to working with you on not only the Byron program but any other ventures that come out way. I am a student to Myles Harston teachings and I think I have learned well.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity." -Dan Ginter
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