The project will generate a continuous supply of nitrifying bacteria for addition to the system on a weekly basis. Bacteria, which are an integral and critical part of the system, cannot be shipped during the winter since cold temperatures will kill them. The pantry has grown bacteria previously for its aquaculture project. Weekly additions of balanced bacteria to the system will guarantee a large and healthy population of nitrifying bacteria within the system. Lack of bacteria will result in the accumulation of lethal concentrations of ammonia and nitrites, which can kill fish in a matter of hours. The bacteria must be in balance, i. e., equally strong populations. Since the two types of nitrifying bacteria grow at extremely different rates, it is essential to allow enough time for the two populations to equalize to similar population density. Determining population density is through default. Monitoring culture medium for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate gives a very accurate indication of bacterial growth. All that is required for monitoring is a water quality test kit.

Fish Feed Formulation

An important secondary benefit of generating alcohol fuel from bakery waste is that the residual solids remaining after processing are largely the protein content of the bakery waste in a concentrated form. Also, waste from fish processing can be dehydrated and substituted for marine, or salt water fish meal, since the protein signature is identical to the fish being raised. Marine fish meal is becoming scarce and expensive due to the overharvesting of native fisheries. Feed components are not a minor consideration in any type of aquaculture project, since feed costs can constitute 35-90% of all production costs. When each tank is at full capacity, feed requirements will be about 900 pounds per day. Waste not appropriate for feed will be composted. Some of this compost will be used during the summer for the outdoor cultivation of common yet specific garden weeds that are rich in nutrients for feeding fish. The carbon dioxide captured during fermentation will be used in a “photobioreactor” for the growth of blue-green algae, which will also be incorporated into fish feed. This algae will also be used to seed the Greenwater System for specific species of fish we intend to raise. Equipment for the processing of fish feed will be situated in about 1/4 of the alcohol fuel greenhouse. Drying will be accomplished through the use of commercial dehy­drators and formulation through the use of a hammermill, mixer, and pelletizer. It is the goal of the project to produce all the components of fish feed from plant sources. The only feed component input outside the project is kelp meal, which supplies vital microelements.