Assignment 1: What are three advantages of recirculation aquaculture over traditional aquaculture. Explain.

Assignment 2: The aquatic environment is dominated by cold blooded animals (fish), while the terrestrial environment is dominated by warm blooded animals (mammals and birds). Speculate on why this is true, given the fact that cold blood animals tend to have lower metabolisms than warm blooded animals and the differences in oxygen explained in this chapter.

Assignment 3: Under what condition described above might supersaturation occur? Explain.

Assignment 4: If the pH of your system is too high (>8), what would you do? If the pH of your system is too low (<7), what would you do? Be sure and consider the role of alkalinity in your decision.

Assignment 5: Suggest a way of demonstrating the effect of pH on nitrification in a functioning recirculation system. Explain in detail.

Assignment 6: What are the three ways to reduce friction loss in plumbing? How would you use this knowledge to make an efficiently plumbed system?

Assignment 7: Do a web search and find examples of three species of aquatic organisms that are currently being raised in recirculation systems. What are the specifics of their culture?

Assignment 8: To what extent are the physical components of a system and the function they perform linked?

Assignment 9: Do a web search and price round tanks made of the same size made of three materials. What are the prices? Would you use the least expensive material? Why or why not?

Assignment 10: How big is a micron (micrometer)? What is the size in microns of the smallest particle you can see with your naked eye? Explain.

Assignment 11: How might you automate bead filter back flushing? Give all necessary equipment and how it would work.

Assignment 12: Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a screen compared with a bead filter for solids removal. Which would you choose? Why?

Assignment 13: How would the specific surface area differ between fresh peas and dried peas. Explain.

Assignment 14: Explain how a trickle filter, or an RBC, would make it more difficult to grow tilapia in a greenhouse over winter where there will be chilly nights.

Assignment 15: Explain why it is important for suspended bed cylinders to be transparent.

Assignment 16: Why do you think this is true? "...if aeration is sufficient to move necessary oxygen into the system then the movement of carbon dioxide out of the system generally takes care of itself."

Assignment 17: Do a web search and find an oxygen generator suitable for a recirculation aquaculture. How big is it? How does it work? How much does it cost? How much electricity does it use?

Assignment 18: Which one of the five kinds of pure oxygen transfer methods would you use? Explain why you would choose that one over the other four.

Assignment 19: Compare and contrast UV sterilization and ozonation.

Assignment 20: Only one parasite (ich) is listed in the fish disease tutorial. Do a web search and find two more that might be a problem in recirculation systems. What are the recommended treatments?

Assignment 21: A basic tenet of ecology is the energy pyramid. Only about 10% of the energy from one trophic level is transmitted through the food chain to the next. That would be the equivalent of a 10:1 food conversion ratio. I stated that food conversion in aquaculture can be 2:1. Recouncil the two statements. (Hint: this is something of a "trick" question.)

Assignment 22: Do a web search on state and local regulations that pertain to fish processing and the Food and Drug Administration's HACCP program. Describe what appears to be necessary to safely and legally process fish for sale?

Assignment 23: Calculate projected depreciation (real world, your actual cost) of the car you are driving. Do not include operating expenses, only depreciation, be specific and show all work.