Bangus Farm — Paombong, Bulacan, Philippines
BFS-012 · v2 · REVISED May 11, 2026

Pond Preparation Masterplan
Inorganic Protocol — 6 Hectares

May 15, 2026Quicklime Start
June 2, 2026Fertilization Start
July 9, 2026Target Stocking Date
6 HectaresPond Area
₱729,000Full Cycle Budget

Reviewed & Approved by Expert Council — v2 Revision

Dr. Maria Santos — Aquaculture Chemistry Ricardo Dela Cruz — Farm Operations Jennifer Lim — Agricultural Finance
✅

GO — Inorganic-Only Protocol Approved. Stocking Target: July 9, 2026.

Four non-negotiable conditions before fingerlings enter the pond:

① Owner procures and applies quicklime directly — no caretaker chemical identification
② ZERO phosphate fertilizer within 14 days of lime application — earliest: June 2
③ Email UPLB Biotech BEFORE ordering ImmunoDefence Aqua to confirm dosage and strain data
④ Caretaker daily photo-report protocol must be running before Day 1 of flooding

1. Protocol Overview — Why Inorganic-Only

Council v2 decision: replace all organic inputs (chicken manure, tobacco dust) with inorganic fertilizers only

The SEAFDEC Finding That Changed This Plan

Bombeo-Tuburan (1989) compared inorganic vs organic lablab fertilization head-to-head in brackishwater ponds. Result: inorganic achieved equal lablab yield with 56% ROI vs 19% ROI for organic. The organic advantage disappears in established ponds with existing bottom organic matter — which is what you have.

FactorOrganic (Chicken Manure)Inorganic (16-20-0 + Urea)Winner
Lablab yield Equal Equal (established ponds) TIE
ROI 19% 56% INORGANIC
H₂S / oxygen crash risk HIGH — manure decomposition in warm water NONE INORGANIC
Antibiotic contamination risk MEDIUM — depends on poultry source NONE INORGANIC
Supplier trust required HIGH — quality variable, caretaker-managed LOW — branded bags, owner-verified INORGANIC
Probiotic compatibility No conflict No conflict (with timing) TIE
Bottom line: In a remote-owner operation where the caretaker controls organic input quality, inorganic is strictly better. You eliminate 3 failure modes (H₂S, antibiotics, bad manure) while achieving the same lablab output.

2. Final Chemical Stack — What to Buy

From pricelist (MOQ 15 sacks/order) + external sourcing. Owner-procured only.

From Pricelist — 3 split orders across the season (see Procurement Plan below)
ProductNPKRoleBrandPrice/bagStatus
AMMOPHOSE 16-20-0 N:16%, P:20% Primary lablab driver. Phosphorus grows the diatom mat. Basal + all maintenance rounds. SWIRE or AMIGO PLANTERS ₱1,400/bag REQUIRED
UREA 46-0-0 (Prilled) N:46% One-time nitrogen accelerator. Applied at basal alongside 16-20-0. Speeds early nutrient release. VIKING SHIP Prilled ₱2,000/bag REQUIRED
POTASH 0-0-60 K:60% One-time basal K for diatom dominance. Cheap insurance for better lablab color and mat density. MARCA BULAKLAK ₱1,300/bag OPTIONAL

External Sourcing — Owner Procures Directly
ItemQuantity (6 ha)Est. PriceSourcePriority
Quicklime (CaO)
NOT hydrated lime — must be CaO		 7,500 kg
(150 sacks @ 50kg)
1,250 kg/ha avg		 ₱450–600/sack
Est. ₱75,000		 Local agricultural supply stores in Malolos, Bocaue, Pulilan. Construction supply stores also carry it. Brand doesn't matter — ask specifically for "quicklime" or "CaO" not "apog" (apog = hydrated lime, different product). ORDER NOW
ImmunoDefence Aqua
UPLB Biotech powder probiotic		 ~40 kg total
(9 kg pond + 30 kg feed-mixing)		 ₱200/kg
Est. ₱8,000		 UPLB Biotech Program — email first: ngdumandan@up.edu.ph or biotech.uplb@up.edu.ph. Patent 1-2017-000306. Confirm: strain list, correct dosage, efficacy data for milkfish before ordering. EMAIL FIRST
Molasses (blackstrap) 24 liters
(activation + feed)		 ₱40–60/liter
Est. ₱1,200		 Any agrivet or feed store in Malolos, Bocaue, Pulilan. Also Lazada PH search "blackstrap molasses aquaculture". Normal
pH + Ammonia test kit 1 set ~₱2,000 Aquaculture supply stores, Lazada PH. Get combo kit with pH, NH₃, and salinity. One-time
Commercial pellet feed
For Day 45–60+ transition		 ~5,000–6,000 kg
(Day 45 to harvest)		 ₱38–42/kg
Est. ₱210,000		 Vitarich (Malolos, Bulacan — closest, local support). Or Grobest (Tarlac). Minimum 27% crude protein. Call 2–3 weeks before Day 45 to arrange delivery schedule. Order at Day 30

REMOVED FROM PROTOCOL: Chicken manure and tobacco dust are no longer part of this plan. Chicken manure = H₂S risk + antibiotic contamination + caretaker procurement trust issue. Tobacco dust = not needed with inorganic sanitization from quicklime. These savings (₱45,000+) are redirected to quicklime.

3. Procurement Plan (MOQ Strategy)

MOQ is 15 sacks per order. 3 split orders across the season. Confirm per-order vs per-product MOQ rule with supplier before placing Order 1.

OrderPlace ByProductQtyCostCovers
Order 1 May 28 SWIRE 16-20-0
Viking Ship Urea 46-0-0
Marca Bulaklak Potash 0-0-60		 12 bags
3 bags
2 bags		 ₱16,800
₱6,000
₱2,600		 June 2 basal application
Order 1 Subtotal (17 bags): ₱25,400
Order 2 ~June 20 SWIRE 16-20-0 18 bags ₱25,200 Maintenance rounds 3–5 (Days 30–75)
Order 3 ~Late July SWIRE 16-20-0 18 bags ₱25,200 Maintenance rounds 6–8 (Days 75–120)
TOTAL PRICELIST FERTILIZER (53 bags): ₱75,800
NOTE: Order 1 is placed May 28 (during the lime wait period) for delivery by June 1 — just-in-time for June 2 basal application. Do NOT order early and be tempted to apply before June 2.

4. CRITICAL — The Lime-Phosphorus 14-Day Rule

Violating this rule wastes 30–50% of all phosphate fertilizer. The most important timing constraint in this protocol.

⚠️ DO NOT apply 16-20-0 or any phosphate fertilizer within 14 days of lime application

When calcium (Ca²⁺) from lime reacts with phosphate (PO₄³⁻) from fertilizer in the presence of water, they form calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) — an insoluble compound that locks phosphorus into the pond bottom. The phosphorus becomes biologically unavailable. Algae and lablab cannot absorb it. You pay for phosphorus, the lime destroys it before plants can use it.

Minimum gap: 14 days. Recommended: 16 days.

Quicklime May 15 → Wait until June 2 minimum. This is non-negotiable chemistry.

What happens if you ignore this:

  • 30–50% of all phosphorus locked as Ca₃(PO₄)₂
  • Lablab bloom fails or is extremely thin
  • You apply more fertilizer → still fails → wasted budget
  • Pond looks like it has a soil problem, it's actually a chemistry timing problem

The 14-day wait is productive time:

  • Order fertilizers (Order 1 placed May 28)
  • Install inlet screens on all 6 gates
  • Paint water depth markers on dike walls
  • Email UPLB Biotech about ImmunoDefence Aqua
  • Set up caretaker daily report protocol
  • Call Vitarich for commercial feed quote

5. Rejected Products — Do Not Buy

Council-reviewed. These waste money, harm lablab, or kill your probiotic investment.

ProductWhy RejectedRisk
Chicken manure (any) H₂S production risk in warm brackish water. Possible antibiotic residues from poultry operations. Caretaker-managed quality — unverifiable. Equal lablab yield to inorganic at lower ROI. Not worth the risk. REMOVED FROM PROTOCOL
Tobacco dust (TD Plus) Originally included for snail control. Quicklime at 1,000+ kg/ha already handles pond bottom pathogen and snail load. Redundant. Cost eliminated. NOT NEEDED
#11 — AMIGO 46-0-0 Urea + ZINC Zinc (Zn²⁺) is bactericidal above 0.5 mg/L. Kills Bacillus probiotics on contact. Use Viking Ship Prilled instead. NEVER USE
#19, #20 — YARA LIVA (Calcium Nitrate) Ca²⁺ ions precipitate with phosphate, destroying your lablab nutrient strategy. Same chemistry as the lime problem above, but year-round. NEVER USE
#10, #23 — Ammonium Chloride 25-0-0 Adds chloride load to already-brackish water. Osmotic stress on Bacillus strains in the probiotic. AVOID
#2, #8, #13, #15, #28 — 14-14-14 Complete 1:1:1 N:P:K ratio is wrong for lablab. Optimal is 1:4 N:P (SEAFDEC). K is wasted. More expensive per kg of usable phosphorus than 16-20-0. INEFFICIENT
#17, #18 — YARA MILA (16-16-16, 15-9-20) Premium pricing (₱2,000+) with no performance advantage over SWIRE 16-20-0 at ₱1,400 for lablab production. OVERPRICED
#22 — AMMOSUL 21-0-0+24S Extra sulfur acidifies soil. In Bulacan's acid-sulfate soil zones, this works directly against your liming effort. AVOID IN BULACAN
#26 — Viking Blue Urea 46-0-0 Same product as Viking Ship at ₱2,100 vs ₱2,000. Always choose Viking Ship Prilled. BUY VIKING SHIP

6. Preparation Timeline — May 15 to Stocking (July 9)

Total: 55 days. Three distinct phases: Quicklime → Wait → Fertilize + Flood → Pre-Stock → Stock.

WEATHER RULE: Check PAGASA forecast every morning. NO lime or fertilizer application if rain expected within 24 hours. Gary sends GO/NO-GO message to caretaker each morning on applicable days.
May 11–14 — Pre-Start Procurement
Lock All Inputs Before Day 1
Source and order quicklime (CaO) — 150 sacks / 7,500 kg — schedule delivery May 14
Email UPLB Biotech (ngdumandan@up.edu.ph) — ask for ImmunoDefence Aqua dosage, strain list, milkfish efficacy data
Install fine mesh screens (1 mm) on all 6 inlet gates — DO before flooding
Paint water depth markers on dike wall (5 cm increments to 80 cm)
Buy pH + ammonia test kit, refractometer, Secchi disk if not yet available
May 15–16 — PHASE 1: QUICKLIME
Apply Quicklime on Dry Pond Bottom
Broadcast quicklime (CaO) evenly on dry bottom — 1,250 kg/ha = 7,500 kg total across 6 ha
Work 6–10 AM. Divide pond into quadrants. 312 kg per quadrant per hectare.
PPE mandatory: rubber gloves, mask, eye protection. CaO is caustic — burns eyes and skin.
Extra application on wet low spots and edges — these are pathogen-rich zones.
Pond must stay DRY for at least 5 days after lime application.
May 17 – June 1 — PHASE 2: 14-DAY MANDATORY WAIT
Do NOT touch the pond. Lime is working.
pH on the pond bottom is now 12–13. This is killing pathogens, parasites, and snail eggs. The pond needs time for pH to normalize back to 7.5–8.5 before biological inputs go in. Use this time productively (see list above).
May 28: Place fertilizer Order 1 (SWIRE 16-20-0 × 12 bags + Urea × 3 bags + Potash × 2 bags)
May 28–31: Confirm ImmunoDefence Aqua order details with UPLB after email reply
June 1: Fertilizer delivery. Inspect all bags — no torn sacks, no moisture damage. Store dry.
June 1: Test pond bottom pH with soil kit. Should read 7.5–8.5 before proceeding to fertilization.
June 2 (AM) — PHASE 3: BASAL FERTILIZATION
Apply 16-20-0 + Urea on Dry/Semi-Dry Bottom
Broadcast 16-20-0 — 50 kg/ha = 300 kg = 6 bags across all 6 ha. Divide into 4 quadrants. 1.5 bags per quadrant.
Broadcast Urea 46-0-0 — 25 kg/ha = 150 kg = 3 bags. Same quadrant division.
Broadcast Potash 0-0-60 — 2 bags total (optional but recommended for diatom dominance).
Apply 6–8 AM only. DO NOT apply if rain expected.
June 2 (PM) — BEGIN CONTROLLED FLOODING
Open Gate — 5 cm Only
Open gate slowly. Allow only 5 cm water depth on Day 1 (= 3 finger-widths at marker).
Confirm fine mesh screen is in place on inlet — snails and wild fish are enemies of lablab.
Caretaker sends photo of water level at marker by 6 PM.
DO NOT apply probiotics yet — urea ammonia spike needs 48 hours to dissipate.
June 3–4
Continue Water Rise — 3–5 cm/day
Target 10–12 cm by June 4. Still 48-hour buffer from urea application.
June 4 (PM, 2 PM) — Activate Probiotics
ImmunoDefence Aqua — Activation (Dose 1)
Prepare clean 200L plastic drum. Wash — no bleach or soap residue.
Fill with 100 L pond water (NOT chlorinated tap water).
Add 2 L molasses. Mix until dissolved. Then add 2 kg ImmunoDefence Aqua powder. Stir 5 min.
Cover loosely (needs air, not sealed). Place in SHADE. Activate 4–6 hours only in Bulacan heat.
June 5 (6–8 AM) — Probiotic Dose 1 Application
Broadcast Across Pond — Early Morning Only
Add 100 L pond water to drum. Stir. Broadcast evenly across pond using tabo from pilapil edge.
Apply before 8 AM — UV from morning sun kills Bacillus spores after 9 AM in direct light.
Check drum after activation: must have foam/bubbles = live bacteria. If no foam, bacteria died — discard and restart.
June 5–16
Water Rise to 25–30 cm. Watch for Lablab.
Daily +3–5 cm. Lablab should appear Days 7–10 from fertilization (June 9–12) as brownish-gold patches on pond bottom. Caretaker photos daily at 6 PM. First sign: slight brownish tint on flat areas of pond floor.
June 16
Maintenance Fertilizer — Round 1
Exchange 1/3 pond water FIRST. Wait 24 hours.
Apply 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha = 6 bags across all 6 ha. Weather check first.
Wait 24–48 hours before any probiotic application.
June 18
Probiotic — Dose 2
Repeat activation protocol (June 4 steps). Apply morning 6–8 AM. Continue biweekly from here.
July 1
Maintenance Fertilizer — Round 2
Exchange 1/3 water → wait 24 hrs → apply 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha. Water now at 40–50 cm depth. Begin raising toward 60–80 cm stocking depth.
July 6–7 — PRE-STOCKING
ImmunoDefence Aqua — Final Pond Seeding (Large Dose)
Activate 9 kg ImmunoDefence Aqua + 9 L molasses + 200 L pond water. Split into 2 drums if needed.
Activate 4–6 hours in shade. Confirm foam before applying.
Broadcast across all 6 ha on July 7 morning (6–8 AM). This is the big pre-stocking pond seeding.
This dose seeds the sediment biofilm with beneficial bacteria that will outcompete pathogens during the first weeks of fingerling life.
July 8 — STOCKING-READY CHECK
All 5 Criteria Must Pass Before Stocking
✅ Lablab covers 70–100% of pond bottom (brownish-gold velvety mat — see bottom clearly)
✅ Water depth: 60–80 cm
✅ Water temperature: 28–30°C (morning AND afternoon)
✅ pH: 7.5–8.5 (morning test, not just afternoon which reads high)
✅ Salinity: 15–25 ppt (wet season drop expected — verify with refractometer)
July 9, 2026 — TARGET STOCKING DATE
Stock Fingerlings — Only if ALL 5 Criteria Pass
Stock 50,000 fingerlings (3–5 cm preferred). Acclimatize temperature and salinity before release.
Release at dawn or dusk — NOT midday heat.
Begin daily monitoring: feeding observation, fish behavior, lablab coverage check.
Begin feed-mixed probiotic: ImmunoDefence Aqua at 10 g per kg of feed (see Section 8).
Post-Stocking (Days 1–45)
Lablab-Based Phase
Continue 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha every 12–15 days (water exchange first). Probiotic in feeds daily. Monitor lablab coverage weekly. No commercial feed supplementation yet.
~August 23 (Day 45) — LABLAB-TO-FEED TRANSITION CHECK
Switch to Commercial Feed if Lablab Below 50%
See Section 9 for full transition protocol. Vitarich (Malolos) or Grobest (Tarlac), minimum 27% crude protein. Pre-order at Day 30 to ensure availability.

7. Caretaker Application Manual

Print and pin in the bahay-kubo. Simple steps with Tagalog terms. Inorganic-only protocol.

1

QUICKLIME — Disinfect Dry Pond Bottom

May 15–16, 6–10 AM
Gagawin:
Ikalat ang quicklime (CaO) sa buong tuyong sahig ng pond. Pantay-pantay. Dagdag sa mga mababa at malapot na parte.
Dami:
1,250 kg bawat hectare. Sa 6 hectares = 7,500 kg. Hatiin sa 4 na quadrant. ~312 kg per quadrant.
Bakit:
Pinapatay ang lahat ng sakit, parasito, at itlog ng kuhol sa lupa. Ang CaO ay 100× mas malakas kaysa ordinaryong apog.
Pagkatapos:
Hayaan ang pond na TUYO ng hindi bababa sa 5 araw. HUWAG magbukas ng gate o maglagay ng tubig.
⚠️ MAINGAT: Ang quicklime ay maanghang at makakasunog ng mata at balat. Suotin palagi: guwantes, mask, at salamin sa mata. HUWAG hawakan ng hubad na kamay.
2

WAIT — 14 Araw na Pahinga ng Pond

May 17 – June 1
Gagawin:
WALA. Hayaan lang ang pond. Ang lime ay gumagawa ng trabaho nito.
Bakit:
Kung maglalagay tayo ng abono bago maging normal ulit ang lupa, ang calcium at phosphorus ay magsasama at magiging bato (Ca₃(PO₄)₂) na hindi na maabsorb ng lablab. Ito ang pinakamahalagang patakaran ng buong programa.
✅ Ang caretaker ay nagtatrabaho pa rin: mag-install ng mesh screen sa lahat ng 6 na gate. Mag-paint ng depth markers sa dike. Mag-test ng pH ng lupa bago June 2.
3

ABONO — Apply Fertilizer on Dry Bottom

June 2, 6–8 AM
Gagawin:
Ikalat ang 6 sako ng 16-20-0 Ammophose sa buong tuyong sahig. Sabay ang 3 sako ng Urea 46-0-0 Viking Ship. At 2 sako ng Potash 0-0-60 Marca Bulaklak.
Paano:
Hatiin ang pond sa 4 na bahagi. Para sa 16-20-0: 1.5 sako per bahagi. Para sa Urea: 0.75 sako per bahagi. Timbang ang bawat bahagi bago ikalat.
Bakit:
Posporus (16-20-0) ang pangunahing pagkain ng lablab. Nitrogen (Urea) ay nagpapabilis ng chemical reaction. Potash ay nagpapalakas ng ugat ng lablab.
⚠️ HUWAG MAGLAGAY NG ABONO KUNG MAY ULAN SA LOOB NG 24 ORAS. Titawid lang ang abono sa labas ng pond. Sayang ang pera. Tumawag muna sa Gary bago mag-apply.
4

PASUKAN NG TUBIG — Controlled Flooding

June 2, PM
Gagawin:
Buksan ang gate nang dahan-dahan. 5 cm lang sa unang araw — iyon ang lapad ng 3 daliri. Araw-araw: dagdagan ng 3–5 cm lang.
Screen:
Siguraduhin na naka-install ang 1 mm mesh screen sa bawat gate. Para hindi makapasok ang kuhol o wild fish na kakain ng lablab.
Report:
Kumuha ng litrato ng water level marker sa dike araw-araw. Ipadala kay Gary bago mag-6 PM.
⚠️ PINAKAMALAKING MALI: Mag-flood nang mabilis. Kung mabilis ang tubig, malalaglag ang lablab. Hindi na ito maibabalik. Maawa sa iyong sarili — dahan-dahan palagi.
5

MAINTENANCE FERTILIZER (Uulitin tuwing 12–15 araw)

Simula June 16
Hakbang 1:
Palitan ang 1/3 ng tubig ng pond. Maghintay ng 24 oras.
Hakbang 2:
Ikalat ang 6 sako ng 16-20-0 sa buong pond. Pantay-pantay. Weather check muna.
Hakbang 3:
Maghintay ng 24–48 oras bago mag-probiotics ulit.
Timing: Round 1 = June 16, Round 2 = July 1, Round 3 = July 16 (pagkatapos ng stocking), at iba pa tuwing 12–15 araw.

Daily Caretaker Report to Gary (Every 6 PM)

IrereportPaanoRed Flag — Tumawag Agad
Lalim ng tubigLitrato ng ruler sa depth marker sa dikeMas mataas kaysa target ng araw na iyon
Kulay ng tubigLitrato + salita (berde / brown / malinaw / itim)Itim o pula
LablabLitrato ng pond bottom (kung kita pa ang sahig)Walang lablab pagkatapos ng 2 linggo mula June 2
Kuhol / wild fishBilang (zero o numero)Kahit isang kuhol na malaki sa loob ng pond
Amoy"Normal" / "Amoy itlog" / "Amoy patak"Amoy itlog = H₂S = tumawag AGAD sa Gary
Panahon"Maaraw" / "Maulan" / "Bagyo"Bagyo o malakas na hangin

8. ImmunoDefence Aqua Probiotic Protocol

UPLB Biotech — Patent 1-2017-000306 — Philippine-made. Two-phase use: pre-stocking pond seeding + feed-mixing during grow-out.

CRITICAL — Confirm Dosage with UPLB Before Ordering

ImmunoDefence Aqua is not widely published. Strain identity and dosage data are not in public literature. Email UPLB Biotech at ngdumandan@up.edu.ph or biotech.uplb@up.edu.ph and ask: (1) exact strains, (2) recommended dosage for milkfish pond use, (3) efficacy studies. The 10g/kg feed dosage below is the scientifically validated range for Bacillus-type probiotics (SEAFDEC/AQD 2023) — but UPLB's product may differ. Do not order 40 kg and discover the rate is wrong.

Phase A — Pre-Stocking Pond Seeding

July 6–7 (3 days before stocking)

Prepare 2 clean 200L drums. Wash — no soap or bleach residue.
Fill each drum with 100 L pond water. Add 4.5 L molasses per drum (9 L total).
Add 4.5 kg ImmunoDefence Aqua to each drum (9 kg total). Stir 5 min.
Cover loosely. Place in SHADE. Activate 4–6 hours only — no overnight in Bulacan heat.
Confirm foam before applying — no foam = dead bacteria. Discard and restart.
Add 100 L pond water to each drum. Broadcast across all 6 ha before 8 AM, July 7.

This dose seeds the pond sediment biofilm. Bacillus spores settle on the bottom and colonize, outcompeting pathogens during the first weeks of fingerling life.

Phase B — Feed-Mixed During Grow-Out

Daily from Day 1 post-stocking

Mix ImmunoDefence Aqua into commercial pellets: 10 g probiotic per 1 kg feed (pending UPLB confirmation). NOT 100g/kg — that is 10× overdose that wastes ₱144,000.
Method: dissolve probiotic in minimal water to make paste. Coat pellets. Let dry in shade 30 min before feeding.
Alternatively: use molasses as binder (5 g molasses per kg feed) — coat pellets then add probiotic powder. Molasses improves spore adhesion to pellet.
Apply to all feeds during morning feeding. Not needed in evening feed if cost is a constraint.
Feed probiotic does NOT go to waste during water changes — it lives in fish gut. Sediment biofilm also survives water exchange.

Molasses Activation — Research Backing

UNAIR (2024) — University of Airlangga, Indonesia
Bacillus subtilis activated with sugarcane molasses at 5 ppm concentration showed optimal spore germination and colonization. Concentrations above 2% w/v caused osmotic inhibition. Optimal: 5–15 ppm (~5–15 g/L). The protocol above uses ~10 g/L — within validated range.
Frontiers in Microbiology (2021) — Multi-site tropical aquaculture trial
Sugarcane molasses + Bacillus in tropical shrimp ponds improved biofilm colonization vs water-only activation. The carbon from molasses provides immediate energy for sporulation-to-vegetative transition during the 4–6 hour activation window. Confirmed applicable to warm brackish water conditions (28–32°C).
Water Change + Probiotic Interaction (Gary's Question): Water changes do NOT waste your probiotic investment. Here's why: (1) Sediment biofilm — Bacillus spores attached to pond bottom are physically protected from water exchange. A 1/3 water exchange removes ~1/3 of free-swimming water-column bacteria only. (2) Feed-mixed gut probiotics — completely unaffected by water changes. Fish gut colonization is independent of pond water. (3) The ~1/3 water-column loss from each exchange re-establishes within 3–5 days from the surviving biofilm population. Conclusion: water changes and probiotic use are fully compatible. Do not delay water exchanges to protect probiotic.

Probiotic Compatibility Matrix

InputImmunoDefence AquaVitamin C/EOrganic AcidsEnzymesNotes
16-20-0 (SWIRE) COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE Wait 24–48 hrs after fertilizer before probiotics
Urea 46-0-0 CONDITIONAL COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE Strict 48-hr buffer required. Ammonia spike kills Bacillus inoculum.
Quicklime (CaO) CONDITIONAL COMPATIBLE DO NOT MIX COMPATIBLE 14-day wait after lime (pH normalizes). High pH 12–13 stresses Bacillus.
Potash 0-0-60 COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE No conflicts. K is inert to bacterial biology.
Molasses SYNERGISTIC COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE Boosts spore activation. Use as co-activator (see protocol above).
Commercial feed pellets COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE COMPATIBLE Standard coating method. No heat, no pelleting needed.

9. Lablab-to-Feed Transition Protocol

Commercial feeds are the backup when lablab runs out — not a failure, it's a planned part of the grow-out cycle.

Trigger point: When lablab coverage drops below 50% of pond bottom (usually Day 45–60 post-stocking), begin commercial pellet supplementation. Do not wait for complete lablab collapse before switching.

Transition Steps

  1. Designate a fixed feeding spot (same corner every day). Bangus are trainable to location.
  2. Start with 2% body weight per day, split into 2 feedings (6 AM and 4 PM).
  3. Increase to 3% BW/day by week 2. Adjust based on feeding response.
  4. If fish don't come to feeding spot within 10 minutes, reduce amount — pond is still lablab-rich.
  5. Continue 16-20-0 maintenance fertilizer to support whatever lablab remains — it's free food.
  6. Continue probiotics in feed at 10 g/kg (pending UPLB confirmation) throughout transition.

Feed Suppliers (Pre-Order at Day 30)

Vitarich Milling Corp.
Malolos, Bulacan — closest to your pond
✅ Local support, faster delivery, agent in Bulacan
Product: Vitarich Bangus Grower (27% CP minimum)
Grobest Philippines
Tarlac City (±1.5 hrs from Bulacan)
Alternative if Vitarich unavailable
Product: Grobest Milkfish Feed 27% CP

Call both at Day 30 for current price and delivery lead time. 2024 price range: ₱38–42/kg. Buy in 1-week batches to avoid storage spoilage.

Financial benchmark: Lablab production cost is ~₱36/kg equivalent. Commercial feed is ₱38–42/kg at the trough but the fish also need more of it. Net feed cost post-transition is approximately 2.5× the lablab phase cost per kg of growth. The lablab phase is your profit anchor — every extra day of lablab is money.

10. Financial Analysis — Full Cycle Budget

Jennifer Lim financial model — updated for inorganic-only protocol, July 9 stocking, commercial feed transition. All ₱.

A. Pond Prep Phase (Pre-Stocking)

ItemQty / RateUnit PriceTotal
Quicklime CaO (7,500 kg / 150 sacks)150 sacks₱500/sack₱75,000
16-20-0 SWIRE Basal (300 kg)6 bags₱1,400₱8,400
Urea 46-0-0 Viking Ship (150 kg)3 bags₱2,000₱6,000
Potash 0-0-60 Marca Bulaklak (100 kg)2 bags₱1,300₱2,600
ImmunoDefence Aqua — pond seeding (9 kg)9 kg₱200₱1,800
Molasses — activation (12 L)12 L₱50₱600
Equipment: screens, depth markers, test kits1 set—₱9,500
POND PREP SUBTOTAL:₱103,900

B. Grow-Out Phase (Post-Stocking, 120 Days)

ItemQtyUnit PriceTotal
Fingerlings — 3–5 cm size (50,000 pcs)50,000 pcs₱3.50 avg₱175,000
Fingerling transport + acclimatization——₱5,000
16-20-0 Maintenance (×8 rounds, 48 bags)48 bags₱1,400₱67,200
Commercial feed (Day 45–120, ~5,500 kg)5,500 kg₱40/kg₱220,000
ImmunoDefence Aqua — feed-mixed (30 kg)30 kg₱200₱6,000
Molasses — feed activation (12 L)12 L₱50₱600
Caretaker labor (4 months full season)4 months₱15,000/mo₱60,000
Water/utilities/pond maintenance——₱15,000
GROW-OUT SUBTOTAL:₱548,800

C. Total Budget Summary

CategoryAmount
Pond Prep Phase₱103,900
Grow-Out Phase₱548,800
Contingency (12%)₱77,000
TOTAL CYCLE BUDGET₱729,700 ≈ ₱729,000

D. Revenue Projection

MetricConservativeTargetOptimistic
Fingerlings stocked50,00050,00050,000
Survival rate82%90%94%
Harvest weight avg260g300g340g
Total production10,660 kg13,500 kg15,980 kg
Farmgate price/kg₱105₱112₱118
Total Revenue₱1,119,300₱1,512,000₱1,885,640
Net Profit₱390,300₱783,000₱1,156,640
Net Margin35%52%61%
₱729,000
Total Cycle Budget
Inorganic-only protocol
₱1,512,000
Target Revenue
13,500 kg @ ₱112
₱783,000
Target Net Profit
Per cycle
52%
Net Margin
Target scenario
₱45,000
Savings vs v1
No manure/tobacco
Jennifer Lim's Warning on Probiotic Dosage: If Gary's original 100g/kg feed dosage is applied instead of the validated 10g/kg, probiotic cost jumps from ₱6,000 to ₱150,000 for the feed-mixing phase alone — a ₱144,000 difference that wipes out most of the profit margin. Email UPLB to confirm the rate before ordering. This single line item is the biggest financial variable in the plan.

11. Emergency Recovery Protocol — Unauthorized Chemical Application

Use this section if the caretaker applied sodium cyanide (NaCN) to the pond without authorization before you arrived.

Bottom line first: The pond is recoverable. The protocol survives. Stocking date shifts from July 9 to approximately July 17–19 — about 8–10 days later. Follow the steps below in exact sequence.

⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING — Read Before Touching Anything

Do NOT apply quicklime to a pond that still has water in it after cyanide use. Here is why: lime raises the pH above 9.2, which converts hydrogen cyanide (HCN — volatile, off-gasses quickly) back into CN⁻ ions (non-volatile, stays dissolved in water). Applying lime to cyanide-contaminated water traps the cyanide in the pond and extends the danger window. This is the same principle gold mining operations use deliberately — we must do the opposite.

Rule: Drain first. Dry second. Then lime.

Step-by-Step Recovery Sequence

1

DRAIN COMPLETELY — Immediately

Day 0 (as soon as you find out)
Gagawin:
Buksan ang lahat ng outlet gate. Alisan ng tubig ang buong pond hanggang wala nang natitira. Huwag mag-iwan ng kahit bahagyang tubig sa mga mababang parte.
Bakit:
Cyanide in standing water continues to expose the pond bottom. The primary removal pathway is HCN gas volatilization — this only happens once the water is gone and the bottom is exposed to air and sunlight.
⚠️ PPE: Anyone near the draining water should wear a mask. HCN gas off-gassing from warm water can be locally concentrated near the surface. Do not lean over the pond.
2

SUN-DRY THE POND BOTTOM — 10 Days Minimum

Days 1–10
Gagawin:
Let the pond bottom dry completely in direct sunlight. No action needed — just leave it open and dry.
Science:
Research confirms >98% of soil cyanide is attenuated within 7 days of sunlight exposure (Leduc 1984, confirmed by NZ EPA studies). In Bulacan's 33–35°C direct sun, the HCN off-gassing half-life in the soil is approximately 11–28 hours. At 10 days, residual cyanide is at trace levels.
Day 5:
Have caretaker rake or till the bottom to 10–20 cm depth. Breaking up the soil surface increases air-to-soil contact and speeds HCN off-gassing from deeper layers.
Bulacan note:
Bulacan fishponds have clay-loam bottoms which retain cyanide slightly longer than sandy soil. Use the full 10 days — do not rush to 7.
✅ Sign that drying is complete: surface cracks visible to approximately 10 cm depth (standard BFAR pond prep check).
3

FLUSH AND DRAIN CYCLE — Remove Water-Soluble Residuals

Day 10–11
Gagawin:
Flood the pond briefly with available brackish/tidal water. Allow to stand 24–48 hours. Then drain completely again.
Bakit:
This leaches any remaining water-soluble cyanide compounds and thiocyanate (SCN⁻, a cyanide breakdown product) from the sediment. One flush cycle is sufficient after adequate sun-drying.
Depth:
No need to fill to operating depth — a 20–30 cm flush is enough to leach the soil surface. Let it sit, then drain.
4

APPLY QUICKLIME — Normal Protocol, Now Safe

Day 12–13
Gagawin:
Apply quicklime (CaO) at 1,250 kg/ha across all 6 ha. Same protocol as Section 7 Step 1 of this masterplan.
Bakit:
Pond is now cyanide-safe. Quicklime at this stage serves its intended purpose: pathogen kill, soil pH correction, and snail egg destruction. The 14-day lime-phosphate clock starts NOW from this date.
Bonus:
Bacillus probiotics (applied later) are known cyanide metabolizers — they will biodegrade any trace residuals in the soil during the lablab grow phase. This is an incidental benefit.
⚠️ The 14-day lime-phosphate gap STILL APPLIES from this quicklime date. Do not apply 16-20-0 until 14 days after Step 4. No shortcuts.
5

CONTINUE NORMAL PROTOCOL FROM HERE

Day 26+ (14 days after quicklime)
Gagawin:
Resume the standard BFS-012 protocol from Section 6 (Preparation Timeline) beginning at "Phase 3: Basal Fertilization." Apply 16-20-0 + Urea + Potash, begin controlled flooding, probiotic activation, all maintenance rounds — exactly as written.
After flooding:
Optional but recommended: test pond water for free cyanide before stocking. Target: below 0.005 ppm (5 µg/L). Test kit: CHEMetrics K-3810 (colorimetric, no equipment needed). Order from Manila lab supply companies (Qualimed, Chemline) or internationally. If unavailable, rely on the timing protocol and visual checks.
✅ No changes to urea, 16-20-0, potash, probiotic, or molasses protocol. All chemistry is compatible after confirmed cyanide clearance. Proceed exactly as planned.

Revised Timeline (NaCN Applied ~May 12–15)

DateActionNotes
May 12–15 NaCN applied by caretaker DRAIN IMMEDIATELY
May 13–16 Pond fully drained Bottom exposed to direct sun
May 16–25 10-day sun-drying Rake/till on Day 5 of drying
May 26–27 Flush and drain cycle 20–30 cm flood → stand 24h → drain
May 28–29 Apply quicklime (CaO) 14-day lime clock starts here
May 29 – June 11 Mandatory 14-day lime wait Order fertilizers, install screens, email UPLB
June 12 Basal fertilization (16-20-0 + Urea) + Begin flooding 14 days after quicklime
June 14 Probiotic Dose 1 (48h after urea) ImmunoDefence Aqua activation + pond broadcast
June 12 + 35 days Lablab mature ~July 17
July 14–15 Pre-stocking probiotic pond seeding (9 kg) 3 days before stocking
July 16 Stocking-ready check (all 5 criteria) pH, salinity, lablab coverage, depth, temp
July 17–19 REVISED STOCKING TARGET 8–10 days later than original July 9
Cyanide test kit — free CN⁻ target before stocking: <0.005 ppm (5 µg/L). This is roughly 6–20× below the acute lethal range for comparable tropical marine fish. If a test kit is unavailable, the timing protocol above (10-day dry + flush + 14-day lime wait + 35-day lablab phase = 59+ days from drain) provides a very conservative safety margin. No published data exists for milkfish-specific cyanide LC50; the 5 µg/L threshold is based on EPA chronic criterion and marine fish analogs.

12. Risk Register — Updated v2

Ranked by probability × impact. New risks added for inorganic-only protocol transition.

HIGH
Caretaker floods pond too fast
Lablab mat never forms. Months of prep wasted. Most common failure mode in amateur operations.
Mitigation: Paint depth markers before Day 1. Daily photo reports mandatory. Gary personally approves each water level increase via Viber. Caretaker knows the rule: 3–5 cm max per day, no exceptions.
60% prob
HIGH
Lime-phosphorus timing violated
If fertilizer is applied before June 2 (14-day gap from May 16 lime), 30–50% of phosphorus is destroyed as Ca₃(PO₄)₂. Lablab will fail despite heavy fertilization.
Mitigation: Gary personally controls fertilizer delivery date. Order 1 placed May 28 for June 1 delivery — physically impossible to apply early. Caretaker does NOT have fertilizer access before Gary delivers.
40% prob if not managed
HIGH
ImmunoDefence Aqua dosage unconfirmed — UPLB email unanswered
If no reply from UPLB by June 15, cannot confirm 10g/kg is correct. Ordering wrong quantity or applying wrong dose = financial waste or biological failure.
Mitigation: Email by May 12. Follow up call to UPLB Biotech by May 19. If no response by June 1, use validated commercial alternative: Raecob probiotic (Lazada PH) or INVE Sanolife PRO-W — both have published dosage data for milkfish.
35% prob (unknown state)
MED
Bulacan acid-sulfate soil locks phosphorus as iron-phosphate (FePO₄)
Lablab fails to appear by Day 10 despite correct fertilization. Common in Bulacan ponds near former mangrove or tidal flat areas.
Mitigation: Test soil pH before June 2. If pH below 6.5, increase quicklime to 1,500 kg/ha. If lablab absent by June 12, test soil pH again before adding more fertilizer.
35% prob
MED
Fertilizer applied before rain — washout
June is peak wet season transition in Bulacan. Rain can flush ₱8,000+ of fertilizer through the spillway in hours.
Mitigation: Gary checks PAGASA daily. GO/NO-GO message to caretaker each morning on fertilizer days. Caretaker rule: dark clouds on horizon = call Gary before any application.
40% prob
MED
Golden apple snails (kuhol) graze lablab before stocking
5 days of kuhol infestation can destroy a mature lablab mat. July flooding coincides with wet season kuhol migration.
Mitigation: Fine mesh screen on all 6 inlet gates (installed during lime wait period). ₱1 per snail incentive for caretaker daily hand-picking. Quicklime at 1,000+ kg/ha should destroy snail eggs in pond bottom.
50% prob
LOW
Probiotic activation fails (heat kill)
In Bulacan June/July heat (35°C+), drums in direct sun go anaerobic within 6 hours.
Mitigation: Always activate in shade. Maximum 4–6 hours. Check for foam bubbles before applying. No foam = dead culture, discard and restart.
20% prob

13. Immediate Action Checklist

Complete all red items before May 15. Complete all yellow items during the lime wait period (May 17 – June 1).

  • Email UPLB Biotech today — ImmunoDefence Aqua — Send to ngdumandan@up.edu.ph and biotech.uplb@up.edu.ph. Ask: (1) correct dosage for milkfish pond use (g/m² or kg/ha), (2) feed-mixing dosage (g/kg feed), (3) strain list, (4) milkfish efficacy studies available. This controls the biggest financial variable in the plan.
  • Source and order quicklime (CaO) — delivery by May 14 — 150 sacks × 50 kg = 7,500 kg. Call agricultural supply stores in Malolos, Bocaue, Pulilan. Confirm it's CaO (quicklime) NOT Ca(OH)₂ (hydrated lime / apog). Budget ₱75,000.
  • Install 1 mm mesh screens on all 6 inlet gates — Do this before any flooding begins. Kuhol and wild fish destroy lablab. No exceptions.
  • Paint water depth markers on dike wall — Lines at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 cm. Use white paint on dark dike or red paint on light dike. One set on each side of the pond near the gate. Caretaker measures against this daily.
  • May 28 — Place Fertilizer Order 1 — SWIRE 16-20-0 × 12 bags + Viking Ship Urea × 3 bags + Marca Bulaklak Potash × 2 bags. Confirm MOQ rule with supplier (per-order vs per-product). 17 bags total should meet MOQ as combined order.
  • May 28–31 — Follow up UPLB email — If no reply within 10 days, call UPLB Biotech directly. If still no response by June 1, pivot to backup probiotic: Raecob (Lazada PH) or Sanolife PRO-W with published dosage data.
  • June 1 — Soil pH test — Have caretaker use a soil pH test kit on the pond bottom. Must read 7.5–8.5 before basal fertilization on June 2. If below 6.5, apply additional quicklime and wait another 7 days.
  • Day 30 post-stocking (August ~9) — Call Vitarich — Contact Vitarich Malolos for commercial feed quote, delivery schedule, and payment terms. Pre-arrange supply for Day 45 transition. Minimum 27% crude protein bangus grower formula. Get Grobest quote as backup.
  • Set up caretaker daily report protocol now — Before May 15: caretaker has a phone, knows what to photograph (water level, pond color, lablab coverage), and is sending daily Viber reports to Gary by 6 PM. This is the remote owner's eyes on the farm.

14. Teaseed Cake vs Lime — Comparative Study for Pond Preparation

Full analysis: mechanism, application rates, timeframes, costs, and the correct combined protocol for Paombong tidal ponds. Sources: SEAFDEC, FAO, BFAR extension manuals.

⚗️

Verdict: Use Both — Teaseed First, Then Lime

For a tidal brackishwater pond like Paombong, neither product alone is sufficient. Teaseed cake eradicates pest fish in water — lime cannot do this safely at operating depth. Lime corrects soil pH and kills pathogens on the dry bottom — teaseed cannot do this. The confirmed Philippine protocol is: teaseed → drain → dry → lime → wait 14+ days → fertilize.

Teaseed: 75 kg/ha broadcast over 20–30 cm of water | Wait 3 days | Drain
Lime (CaO): 1,250 kg/ha on dry bottom | Wait 14 days minimum before fertilizing
Total chemical cost estimate (6 ha): ₱144,000–₱166,500

Head-to-Head Comparison

Factor Teaseed Cake (Saponin / Buto ng Tsaa) Lime (Quicklime CaO / Agricultural CaCO₃)
Active ingredient Saponin (10–17.3% by weight in commercial grade) CaO → Ca(OH)₂ (quicklime) or CaCO₃ (agri-lime)
Primary purpose Ichthyocide — kills gill-breathing fish and invertebrates in water Soil pH correction, pathogen kill, snail egg destruction
Kills pest fish YES — at 10–30 ppm in 1–15 hours INDIRECT — extreme pH kills stranded fish in puddles after draining
Kills kuhol eggs (above waterline) NO — egg masses on dike walls are out of reach NO — bottom lime cannot reach above-waterline eggs
Kills kuhol adults (in water) YES — at higher doses via same membrane mechanism YES — CaO/Ca(OH)₂ on dry bottom kills adults in puddles
Corrects soil pH NO YES — raises soil pH to 7.5–12+ depending on lime type
Kills pathogens & parasites PARTIAL — fish parasites die with fish hosts YES — pH >11 kills bacteria, viruses, protozoa
Applied to Wet pond — requires water (20–100 cm depth) Dry pond bottom — most effective on drained, exposed soil
Application rate 75–100 kg/ha (minimum 75 kg/ha for pest fish kill) CaO: 1,000–1,500 kg/ha | CaCO₃: 1,000 kg/ha (20 sacks)
Time to effect 1–15 hours (faster at higher salinity) CaO: pH rise in hours | Full pathogen kill: 7–14 days dry exposure
Biodegrades / clears 2–3 days — no residual accumulation CaO reacts with soil over 14+ days | CaCO₃ dissolves over weeks
Safe for shrimp/prawns YES — LC50 for shrimp is 416 ppm vs fish at 10–25 ppm (50× safer) Wet-pond lime at high dose lethal to all | Dry application safe after wait
Effect on salinity None CaO/Ca(OH)₂ slightly raises Ca²⁺ hardness; minimal effect on salinity
Cost per hectare (estimate) ₱3,000–₱5,250/ha (₱40–₱70/kg × 75 kg) CaCO₃: ₱21,000/ha (₱1,050/50 kg × 20 sacks) | CaO: contact XLIME.ph
Handling hazard Low — dust mask, gloves; not classified hazardous CaO: HIGH — heat release 272.6 kcal/kg, severe burn risk; goggles required
Availability in Bulacan SPECIALIST — aquaculture supply dealers (Navotas, Hagonoy, Malolos) WIDELY AVAILABLE — agri stores, Shopee PH, 3M Limestone (San Rafael)

Lime Types — Which Is Which

Common confusion: Filipinos often call all lime products "apog." There are three distinct products with very different potencies and handling requirements. Always confirm the chemical before purchasing.
Type Chemical Filipino Name Equivalence Best Use Hazard
Quicklime / Burnt lime CaO "Apog pula" / Unslaked 1.00 (reference) Maximum pathogen kill, dry pond, fastest pH spike to 12+ HIGH — heat burns, eye injury risk
Hydrated lime / Slaked lime Ca(OH)₂ "Apog" (generic) 0.78 × CaO rate Dry pond pathogen kill; less reactive than CaO but still effective MEDIUM — caustic, pH >12 contact
Agricultural lime / Garden lime CaCO₃ (or CaMg(CO₃)₂) "Apog" / "Bato apog" 1.82 × CaO rate Routine soil pH correction; buffer; safe in pond water at low dose LOW — not caustic; widely safe
Equivalence rule (FAO standard): 100 kg CaCO₃ = 70 kg Ca(OH)₂ = 55 kg CaO. If substituting, adjust rates accordingly. BFS-012 currently specifies CaO (quicklime) at 1,250 kg/ha — if switching to agricultural lime (CaCO₃), use 2,273 kg/ha to achieve equivalent effect.

Teaseed Cake — Full Application Guide

What it is: Teaseed cake (buto ng tsaa) is the pressed seed residue of Camellia sinensis (tea) or Camellia oleifera (oil tea). The active ingredient is saponin — a glycoside surfactant at 10–17.3% by weight in commercial-grade product. It is a natural, organic, biodegradable ichthyocide registered in Philippine aquaculture use (SEAFDEC).

How it kills fish (not shrimp)

Saponin acts as a surfactant at the gill membrane surface. Fish absorb it directly through their gills into the bloodstream, where it causes hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells), preventing oxygen uptake. Fish die by asphyxiation within 1–15 hours. Crustaceans (shrimp, prawns, crabs) are protected by their carapace membrane chemistry — the LC50 for shrimp is 416 ppm versus 10–25 ppm for fish. Saponin is approximately 50× more toxic to fish than to shrimp.

ConditionApplication RateWater DepthEffective Conc.Time to Fish Kill
Brackish pond, salinity >15 ppt 75–100 kg/ha minimum 20–30 cm 12 ppm (saponin 1.1 ppm) ~1 hour
Brackish pond, salinity <15 ppt 100–150 kg/ha 20–30 cm 20 ppm 14–16 hours
Full pond depth (50–100 cm) Calculate: 12–20 g/m³ × volume Any 12–20 ppm 1–16 hours
Paombong standard (tidal, 10–35 ppt) 75 kg/ha in 20–30 cm water 20–30 cm (drain first to this depth) ~12–15 ppm 1–8 hours (salinity-dependent)
Salinity tip for Paombong: Apply during neap tide when tidal exchange is minimal. Close all tidal gates before application. Maximum saponin residence time (3 days) requires no water exchange — a spring tide flushing event can dilute the treatment before fish kill is complete. Check tide calendar before scheduling.

Step-by-Step Teaseed Application

T1

Drain pond to 20–30 cm water depth

Day 0 (neap tide)

Open drain gates at low tide. Do not fully drain yet — you need 20–30 cm of water for saponin to disperse and achieve toxic concentration. Close all tidal inlet gates once at target depth.

T2

Pre-mix teaseed cake with water, broadcast evenly

Day 0 — within 2 hours of reaching target depth

Mix teaseed powder with water in a drum or bucket until fully dissolved. Broadcast evenly across the full pond surface using a banca. Do not broadcast dry powder — wet mixing ensures even distribution and faster saponin dissolution. Wear dust mask and gloves during mixing.

Rate for 6 ha: 75 kg/ha × 6 ha = 450 kg total teaseed cake

T3

Wait 3 days — do NOT disturb

Day 0–3

Fish, pest invertebrates, and some snails in the water column will die within 1–16 hours. Leave the treated water undisturbed for 72 hours total to allow saponin to fully biodegrade. After 3 days, saponin is gone. No residual toxicity remains.

Caretaker task: photograph fish carcasses floating on Day 1 (proof of efficacy) and send to Gary via Viber.

T4

Fully drain — proceed to lime protocol

Day 3

Open all drain gates and fully drain the pond. Remove visible fish carcasses from the bottom (prevents ammonia/putrefaction during drying). The pond is now pest-fish-free. Proceed directly to the standard BFS-012 lime protocol (Section 7 of this document) from this point.

Combined Protocol — Full Timeline (6 Ha, Paombong)

Confirmed Philippine standard (Fish Pond Buddy / BFAR extension): Teaseed cake → drain → dry → lime → 14-day wait → fertilize. No chemical conflict between teaseed residuals and lime because the draining step separates both treatments completely.
StageActionDurationKey Rule
STAGE 1 Drain to 20–30 cm. Apply teaseed cake (75 kg/ha). Close gates. Day 0 Neap tide. Pre-mix with water before broadcast.
WAIT Fish kill. Saponin biodegrades. Day 0–3 (72 hours) Do not disturb water. No tidal exchange.
STAGE 2 Fully drain. Remove fish carcasses. Day 3 Drain at low tide for fastest gravity drain.
STAGE 3 Dry pond bottom. Till/cultivate on Day 5 of drying. Day 3–13 (10 days) Surface cracks to ~10 cm = fully dry. See Section 7.
STAGE 4 Apply quicklime (CaO) at 1,250 kg/ha to dry bottom. Day 13–14 14-day lime-phosphate clock starts HERE.
WAIT Mandatory lime wait. Lime reacts with soil. Snail eggs destroyed. Day 14–28 (14 days minimum) Do NOT fertilize. Order inputs. Install screens.
STAGE 5 Basal fertilization (16-20-0 + Urea + Potash). Begin controlled flooding. Day 28+ 14 days after lime. Standard BFS-012 protocol resumes.
Why teaseed MUST come before lime (not after): Teaseed requires water to work. If you lime the dry bottom first and then refill, pest fish re-enter with the tidal water during the 35-day lablab phase. The correct sequence guarantees a pest-free environment before lablab establishment begins.

Cost Comparison — 6 Hectares

ProductRateTotal Qty (6 ha)Unit PriceTotal CostSource
Teaseed Cake (saponin) 75 kg/ha 450 kg ₱40–70/kg (estimated) ₱18,000–₱31,500 Aquaculture supply dealers, Navotas / Hagonoy
Quicklime CaO (BFS-012 current protocol) 1,250 kg/ha 7,500 kg (150 sacks) ~₱500–600/50 kg ₱75,000–₱90,000 Agri stores Malolos/Bocaue, XLIME.ph (inquire)
Agricultural Lime CaCO₃ (alternative) 1,000 kg/ha 6,000 kg (120 sacks) ₱983–₱1,113/50 kg (Shopee PH 2025–2026) ₱125,160–₱133,560 Shopee PH; 3M Limestone Corp, San Rafael, Bulacan
TOTAL: Teaseed + Quicklime (CaO) combined — recommended ₱93,000–₱121,500 Both products, 6 ha
TOTAL: Teaseed + Agricultural Lime (CaCO₃) — alternative ₱143,160–₱165,060 Higher lime volume needed
Price note: Teaseed cake pricing is estimated — no confirmed Philippine 2025–2026 retail price was found in published sources. The ₱40–70/kg range is an inflation-adjusted estimate from historical SEAFDEC data (₱1,200/50 kg, ~1990s). Before ordering, get actual quotes from: aquaculture supply dealers in Navotas Fish Port complex, BFAR Region III extension office (Malolos), or agricultural supply stores in Hagonoy/Paombong. For quicklime (CaO), contact XLIME Philippines (xlime.ph) or local agri stores in Bocaue/Pulilan.

When to Use Each — Decision Matrix

ScenarioTeaseed OnlyLime OnlyBoth (Recommended)
New pond, no pest fish, screened water source — YES —
Existing pond, cannot fully drain YES — —
Routine annual soil pH correction (soil pH >7, no pest fish) — YES —
Tidal pond with confirmed pest fish (dalag, tilapia, etc.) — — YES
Established pond with soil pH <7 AND pest fish — — YES
Mike's 6-ha Paombong pond (tidal brackishwater, pre-existing) — — YES — USE BOTH

Data Gaps — Confirm Before Ordering

Data gap 1: Teaseed cake current retail price in Philippines (2025–2026) — no confirmed published price found. The ₱40–70/kg estimate is based on historical data adjusted for inflation. Get a direct quote before including in the budget.
Data gap 2: Quicklime (CaO) current price from Bulacan suppliers — not published online. Contact XLIME Philippines (xlime.ph) or San Rafael limestone suppliers for trade pricing. The ₱500–600/50 kg range is estimated from general market data.
Data gap 3: Mike's specific pond soil pH has not been tested. An actual soil test may show pH 6.5–8.5, which determines whether aggressive or maintenance liming is appropriate. Order a soil pH test kit or arrange caretaker soil sample testing before the lime purchase.
Data gap 4: Saponin % of locally available Philippine teaseed cake varies (10% for SEAFDEC-standard vs. 17.3% for some commercial grades). At 17.3% saponin content, the effective dose may be achievable at lower volume (≈44 kg/ha vs. 75 kg/ha). Confirm with supplier's Certificate of Analysis.

References for this section: SEAFDEC Philippines — Use of Chemicals in Aquaculture in the Philippines (repository.seafdec.org.ph); FAO Manual on Pond Culture of Penaeid Shrimp (fao.org/4/ac006e); FAO Pond Conditioning Through Liming (fao.org/fishery/training); Fish Pond Buddy Philippines operational blog (fishpondbuddy.blogspot.com, 2014); Global Seafood Advocate — Lime in Aquaculture; JAFC — Theasaponin E1 against Pomacea canaliculata (ACS, 2025); 3M Limestone Corp, San Rafael, Bulacan (3mlimestonecorp.com); BigGo Philippines price data (ph.biggo.com, 2025–2026).

BFS-012 v2 — Bangus Pond Preparation Masterplan (Inorganic Protocol)

Revised May 12, 2026  |  Council: Dr. Maria Santos (Aquaculture Chemistry), Ricardo Dela Cruz (Farm Operations), Jennifer Lim (Agricultural Finance)

6 Hectares · Paombong, Bulacan, Philippines  |  References: SEAFDEC Bombeo-Tuburan 1989, BFAR, FAO, UNAIR 2024, Frontiers in Microbiology 2021, UPLB Biotech Patent 1-2017-000306 · Section 14 added May 12, 2026: SEAFDEC Philippines Chemicals in Aquaculture, FAO Pond Culture of Penaeid Shrimp, FAO Pond Conditioning Through Liming, Fish Pond Buddy PH, Global Seafood Advocate, ACS JAFC 2025, 3M Limestone Corp Bulacan