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Keep Clam and Culture On: Raising Mercenaria mercenaria, the Hard Clam

School:: DeLand High School
Subject:: Stem
Teacher:: Daniel Luby
Students Impacted:: 160
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: September 14, 2023

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

Anonymous Family Foundation - $1,000.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 150

Students performed various functions throughout the Recirculating Aquaculture System build, most for the first time. These students worked while also maintaining their effort on the standard curriculum. The build focused on three main compnents: The RAS system, a quarantine tank (not pictured), and an algae culture space. The quarantine tank was established and cycled as a priority. Next, students, using industry standard algae culture protocols, were able to create a thriving algae culture. The lab has two 19 liter (5 gallon) vessles which were grown from an original culture batch of 2 liters. The growth has been exponential over the course of semester 2!

The tank construction went through revisions galore. It's (roughly) 283 liters (75 gallons) of sterile, dechloronated artifical seawater flows through a dual 55 gallon drum RAS system by use of a single pump, the SFX600 (70 Watts, 1.7 Amps; 600 gallons per hour flow rate). The pump is housed in the system's filter barrel. The handmade filtraton system features 50 lbs of gravel, 150 lbs of playground sand (sterilized, dechloronated), live rock (seeded from quarantine tank), Bio-Balls (also seeded with biofiltration bacteria from the quarantine tank), and three varieties of mesh (mechanical) filter.

The clams were added after rescuing from Publix supermarket. 6 of the original batch did not survive the transition from market -> quarantine -> culture tank, but the rest seem to be doing fine. More updates upon request!

grant photo

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The project goal is to create a working molluscan shellfish aquaculture lab, with a focus on the Hard Clam. The students will design and build the system from the ground up, to house industry-sourced clam seed. The project ultimately seeks to model broodstock production, wherein the students manage an aquaculture hatchery and nursery.

What will be done with my students

Students will create the system utilizing best management practices as stipulated by the Florida DACS Division of Aquaculture. They will research the necessary steps for constructing a viable Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), and participate in a multi-stage build which includes a breeding tank as well as a nursery. Once built, the course will develop around the maintenance of the cultured species.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED (a non-comprehensive list):

22.0 Complete the propagation and culture of an aquaculture organism.

22.01 Identify and describe the methods of reproducing aquaculture organisms.
22.02 Identify and describe the hatchery facilities used in aquaculture.
22.03 Select a method of producing seed for a selected species.
22.04 List and explain the process for hatching eggs in four aquaculture organisms.
22.05 Determine the types and sizes of feeds to grow different life stages of aquaculture organisms.
22.06 Discuss the proper methods for harvesting, grading and transporting seed, fry and juvenile aquaculture organisms.

26.0 Produce an aquaculture species in one or more of the following: pond, cage, tank, raceway, net pen – the student will be able to:

26.01 Identify the types of growing systems and important factors in their selection, design and use.
26.02 Determine economic factors to consider in choosing a system for commercial production.
26.03 Identify and describe facility construction and site requirements.
26.04 Select species for a specific culture facility.
26.05 Determine feeding methods and calculate feeding rates for an aquaculture organism.
26.06 Assist in managing water quality in one or more production systems.
26.07 Maintain and perform repairs on aquaculture machinery, equipment, and facilities.

Benefits to my students

According to the University of Florida Online Shellfish Research Guide, Forida is #4 in the nation in molluscan shellfish production. From 1998-2013, molluscan shellfish production increased by 368% and is continuing to expand. For students unfamiliar with such a growth industry, this project would be a possible bridge to a career with much room for growth. Additionally, the practice of aquaculture reinforces a multitude of scientific principles including (but not limited to) the fields of biology, ecology, chemistry, and physics.

Budget Narrative

The parts are requested for the minimum requirements to build a functional Recirculating Aquaculture System. Non-Hardware elements are requested for biological maintenance of the system.

Items

#	Item	Cost
1	3 x 40 gallon plastic totes	$60.00
2	2 x Hole Saws	$25.00
3	4 x 5 gallon buckets	$15.00
4	PVC pipe (various)	$40.00
5	Plumber's Goop	$20.00
6	300-500 GPH Submersible Pump	$50.00
7	PVC Hand Tools	$60.00
8	4 x Mechanical Filters	$300.00
9	Water Conditionder	$20.00
10	2 x Bio Bags/Filter Media	$40.00
11	4 x Aquarium Heaters	$120.00
12	Clam Seed	$150.00
13	3 x Water Quality Test Kits	$100.00
	Total:	$1,000.00