Quality Pets New Hatchery


Now Operational - Finally....


Before After




Well, in spite of the "skeptics", our new air conditioned fish room is officially open. It certainly has been a challenge to get the systems functioning precisely as we wanted, but Kevin Aduddell managed to bring it all together nicely. As you can see from the pictures below, our hat goes off to Kevin for a job well done.
For those customers that are local, drop by and visit our new hatchery. For those of you that are out of town, our next Open House should be in the Spring of 2001 and we invite you to stop by then and visit (or stop by sooner if you just can't wait to see this engineering marvel in action).









System Specifics :

Each row is a self-maintained system. Four 1/4 hp pumps pick up cleaned water, then drive that water through a 4 inch manifold to an 8 bulb HO ultraviolet sterilizer that produces 680 actual watts of UV killing power. The stainless steel design enhances efficiency by 30% according to the manufacturer.



Flow rate from the hi volume/ low pressure pumps is equal to 250 gpm. However, these pumps consume 1/3 the amount of electricity of a conventional pump. This effectively turns the water 4.5 times per hour through the system.



The blue tubs underneath the racks act as a water reservoir, dramatically increasing the size of the system. They also act as a return for the aquarium water discharge for the lower row of aquariums.



To clean the water, a separate, high pressure pump sends the water through a sand filter to remove large particles. Then, a carbon filter removes small particulates as well as organic matter and tannins. Ultraviolet sterilizers work best when the water is clear, which makes the carbon filter essential. We use a very high grade carbon which is replaced monthly.





This cleaned water then travels through 6 commercial sized Bio-Wheels manufactured by Aquaria Inc. Each Bio-Wheel is capable of handling the waste produced by 100 pounds of fish. Bio-Wheels, in our opinion, are the greatest achievement for aquatic technology since the invention of the air pump. Ammonia is the greatest detriment to fish and the bio-wheels remove ammonia more efficiently than anything we have seen. The Bio-Wheels were cultured prior to installation in the systems, which enabled us to immediately stock each system.





Water temperature is maintained by a 55,000 btu gas fired spa heater installed on each row, keeping each system at the desired temperature.



To enhance dissolved oxygen for each tank, we utilize a rotron air system pump, fed through PVC pipe to each tank's sponge filter. Not only does this increase the biological filtration capability, but more importantly, gives us the ability to remove any tank from the system in order to medicate. This will alleviate additional stress from ammonia to fish that are in need of medication.



The upper row of tanks consist of a 33 gal tank, split into two 16.5 gallon cubicles, while the lower row of tanks are 40 gal breeder aquariums. The tanks were configured to ease the catching of the fish and minimize stress on both the fish and the employees. The tank rows are tiered, with the fish catcher being able to reach into either the top or bottom row without having to stretch or stoop.







We believe that we have designed the best system to wholesale tropical fish anywhere. Unaware of our just completed hatchery, one of our customers provided the best lift to all of us in the first week. Her comment was, "I don't know what you guys did different, but my fish today looked the best they ever have." To a bunch of fish mongers, that have worked 15 hour days for the last few weeks trying to get this project completed, that was the best news we heard all month.
Place an order and see for yourself.

Quality Pets Fall 1999 Open House





Quality Pets Fall 1999 Open House was held at the Meridian Clarion Convention Center in Oklahoma City. The show was a huge success with over 45 manufactures and over 120 pet stores in attendance. Fun, food and great savings were shared by all. We want to thank everyone involved who made it all possible. Our subsequent Spring 2000 Open House was just as successful with deep discounts for all our attending customers. If you didn't make it this past spring or fall, (what were you thinking?!) our next Open House is scheduled for July 2001. Ask your salesperson about more information as we head through spring.

Click on thumbnail for larger picture of the festivities in the Fall 1999.