Bangus Farm — Paombong, Bulacan, Philippines
BFS-013 · v1 · ISSUED May 12, 2026

Teaseed-Only Pond Preparation Pathway
Lime-Free Protocol — 6 Hectares

Day 0Teaseed Application
Day 13Fertilization Start
Day 48Target Stocking
6 HectaresPond Area
₱672K–₱686KFull Cycle Budget
₱43.5K–₱57KSavings vs BFS-012

Expert Council — Lime-Free Pathway Advisory

Dr. Maria Santos — Aquaculture Chemistry Dr. Ramon Bulaong — Soil & Water Science Ricardo Dela Cruz — Farm Operations Jennifer Lim — Agricultural Finance
✅

CONDITIONAL GO — Lime-Free Pathway Approved IF Soil pH Gate Passes

The council endorses BFS-013 as a faster, cheaper alternative to BFS-012, contingent on five pre-implementation gates:

① Pond bottom soil pH tested and confirmed between 6.5–8.5 — this is the go/no-go gate. If below 6.5, revert to BFS-012.
② Teaseed cake sourced from verified supplier with saponin % on Certificate of Analysis (target 10–17%)
③ Pest fish presence confirmed before committing 450–600 kg of teaseed cake (₱18K–₱31.5K)
④ All 6 inlet/outlet gate screens installed and verified before Day 0 application
⑤ Neap tide window confirmed for Paombong/Manila Bay before broadcasting teaseed

1. Protocol Overview — Why Lime-Free

The lime-free pathway saves ₱43,500–₱57,000 and ~7 days of cycle time. The tradeoff: no soil pH correction is performed. This pathway is only valid if the existing pond bottom soil pH already falls within the safe range (6.5–8.5).

The critical difference: BFS-012 uses quicklime (CaO) at 1,250 kg/ha to simultaneously eradicate pests, correct acidity, and condition the soil. BFS-013 uses teaseed cake to eradicate pests, but performs no pH correction. If your soil is already in the safe pH range, the lime step is unnecessary. If it is not, skipping lime causes a cascade of downstream failures.

Pathway Comparison: BFS-012 vs BFS-013

Dimension BFS-012 (Lime Pathway) BFS-013 (Teaseed Pathway)
Pest eradication Quicklime (CaO) 1,250 kg/ha — caustic, kills all life Teaseed cake 75–100 kg/ha — selective for fish, safe for shrimp
Soil pH correction Yes — lime raises pH 1–2 units None — soil pH must already be in range
14-day phosphate wait Required — Ca²⁺ binds with PO₄³⁻ if applied too soon Not required — no calcium load to react with phosphate
Total prep timeline ~55 days to stocking ~48 days to stocking
Prep phase cost ₱103,900 ₱46,900–₱60,400
Caretaker handling Owner-applied only (lime is caustic) Caretaker can apply teaseed under supervision
Residue after action Calcium load persists — buffers pH long-term Saponin biodegrades in 2–3 days — no residual
Shrimp polyculture viability Limited — lime may stress newly stocked PL Strong — saponin is ~50× safer for shrimp than fish
Failure mode if soil is acidic None — lime corrects the problem Lablab bloom fails, NH₃ toxicity, fingerling kill at stocking

Advantages of Lime-Free

  • ₱43,500–₱57,000 cost savings vs BFS-012
  • 7 fewer days to stocking — earlier revenue
  • No 14-day phosphate restriction — fertilize Day 13
  • No caustic chemical handling (safer for caretaker)
  • Saponin biodegrades cleanly in 2–3 days
  • Compatible with future sugpo polyculture
  • Teaseed doubles as a mild snail deterrent

Risks of Lime-Free

  • No buffer against soil pH drift — Bulacan acid-sulfate risk
  • Urea (46-0-0) slightly acidifies soil over time
  • If pH falls below 6.5 mid-cycle, you cannot retroactively lime
  • Teaseed cake supply is less stable than lime (only seasonal)
  • Saponin % varies 10–17% between suppliers — dose uncertainty
  • No calcium for shell formation if shrimp are added later
Decision tree: Run the soil pH test first. If pH 6.5–8.5 → BFS-013 is the better choice. If pH below 6.5 → BFS-012 with quicklime is required. If pH above 8.5 → consult Dr. Bulaong; both protocols need adjustment.

2. Council Expert Assessments

Four advisors provide independent domain analysis before convergent recommendation.

Aquaculture Chemistry
Dr. Maria Santos, Ph.D.
SEAFDEC-trained · 18 yrs

On the teaseed mechanism. Teaseed cake (residue from Camellia oleifera seed oil extraction) contains saponins at 10–17% by weight. Saponins are amphipathic glycosides that bind to cholesterol in fish gill epithelial membranes, causing hemolysis and asphyxiation. The selectivity is critical for our purposes: fish have hemoglobin-based oxygen transport vulnerable to saponin, while crustaceans use hemocyanin and have chitinous gill structures that are roughly 50× more resistant. At 75–100 kg/ha applied to a 20–30 cm water column, we achieve approximately 8–10 mg/L active saponin — lethal to milkfish, tilapia, mudfish, and tarpon predators, but well below shrimp LC50.

On biodegradation. Unlike rotenone or organophosphates, saponin breaks down via microbial action in 2–3 days under tropical conditions. By Day 3 there is no measurable residue. This is why BFS-013 can proceed directly to fertilization on Day 13 without a long detoxification wait — we are waiting for sun-drying, not chemical clearance.

On urea without lime. Urea hydrolyzes to ammonium (NH₄⁺) and bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) in 24–48 hours. The bicarbonate provides mild alkalinity buffering, which partially compensates for the absence of lime. The 16-20-0 (Ammophose) we apply alongside is acidifying, so the two roughly balance in the short term. The risk is multi-cycle drift: over 3–4 unlimed cycles, soil pH can creep downward.

My verdict: Chemistry is sound. Teaseed is the correct pest eradicant for a brackishwater pond targeting milkfish where polyculture optionality matters. The chemistry supports skipping lime IF and only IF the initial soil pH is verified ≥6.5.
Soil & Water Science
Dr. Ramon Bulaong, Ph.D.
UPLB Soil Sci · 22 yrs

On Bulacan's soil profile. Paombong sits on the western Manila Bay tidal plain. The surrounding geology includes ancient mangrove deposits rich in iron pyrite (FeS₂). When these soils are drained and oxidized, pyrite converts to sulfuric acid — this is the acid-sulfate soil problem. Not all of Paombong is acid-sulfate, but the risk is non-trivial. I have measured pond bottom pH as low as 4.2 in nearby Hagonoy and 5.1 in Malolos.

The go/no-go gate. Soil pH 6.5–8.5 is the operational window for milkfish lablab culture. Below 6.5: lablab growth slows, phosphate becomes unavailable (locked as iron and aluminum phosphates), and ammonia toxicity rises because NH₄⁺/NH₃ equilibrium shifts. Above 8.5: ammonia toxicity also rises (free NH₃ form dominates), and trace metal availability collapses. The 6.5–8.5 window is non-negotiable.

On urea's long-term effect. Urea is mildly acidifying over time. Each hydrolysis cycle adds H⁺ to the soil. Over a single 4-month cycle the drift is minor (0.1–0.3 pH units). Over 4–6 cycles without lime, drift becomes material. My recommendation: even if BFS-013 succeeds this cycle, schedule a soil pH retest at harvest. If pH has dropped below 6.8, apply a maintenance lime dose (250 kg/ha agricultural limestone — not quicklime) before the next cycle. This is a "rolling lime" strategy rather than a "hammer lime" one.

Monitoring requirements. Test soil pH at Day 0 (gate), Day 13 (before fertilization), Day 30 (mid-cycle), and at harvest. Water pH should be tested daily by caretaker using a basic 6.0–9.0 strip. Four soil samples should be composited from north/south/east/west pond quadrants.

My verdict: BFS-013 is safe for this pond IF soil pH at Day 0 is 6.5 or higher. Plan a maintenance lime application between cycles. Do not run BFS-013 for more than 2 consecutive cycles without revisiting the pH baseline.
Farm Operations
Ricardo Dela Cruz
25 yrs Bulacan ponds

On teaseed application. The practical procedure is straightforward but the timing is everything. You drain the pond to 20–30 cm water depth — this is the toxicity-concentration sweet spot. Too deep and the saponin disperses below lethal threshold. Too shallow and you cannot get even coverage. You pre-mix the teaseed cake with pond water in a drum (one sack at a time, soak for 30 minutes, stir into slurry) before broadcasting. Dry teaseed cake floats and clumps; pre-wet cake sinks and disperses evenly.

The neap tide rule. Apply during neap tide (Tagalog: liit ng tubig) when the inlet flow is minimal. If you apply during spring tide, even with gates closed, leakage and seepage will dilute the dose. Check the PAGASA tide table for Manila Bay or Bulacan harbor before scheduling Day 0.

Timeline savings in practice. The 7-day savings come from two sources: (1) no 14-day phosphate wait after lime, replaced by an immediate fertilization on Day 13; (2) sun-drying overlaps with teaseed action because saponin biodegrades during the dry phase. In BFS-012 we essentially wait for the lime to neutralize, then wait for the soil to dry, then wait for the phosphate restriction. In BFS-013 these collapse into a single 10-day dry-and-biodegrade window.

Caretaker checklist differences. The caretaker is more involved in BFS-013 than in BFS-012 because they handle the teaseed slurry (vs lime, which Gary must do personally for safety). I recommend a printed step-card in Tagalog stuck on the pump house door. Daily Viber photo reports at 6 PM are non-negotiable. The fish kill should be visible within 1 hour at full salinity (>15 ppt) or up to 16 hours at brackish conditions — caretaker photos document this.

My verdict: Operationally simpler and faster than the lime pathway. Caretaker can be trained in 2 hours. The single most important practical detail is neap-tide timing — get that wrong and you waste ₱25K of teaseed cake.
Agricultural Finance
Jennifer Lim, MBA
DA-BFAR consultant

On the headline savings. BFS-013 removes ₱75,000 of quicklime and adds ₱18,000–₱31,500 of teaseed cake. Net savings: ₱43,500–₱57,000 per cycle. On a 6-hectare farm running 2–3 cycles per year, that is ₱87K–₱171K of annual savings flowing to operating margin without changing the production model.

On the time-value. The 7-day cycle compression matters more than the cash savings if you are running multi-cycle. Seven days earlier stocking means seven days earlier harvest. At ₱112/kg farmgate and 13,500 kg target harvest, every day of cycle compression is worth approximately ₱400 in opportunity cost of capital alone (12% blended), and considerably more if it shifts a harvest into a higher-price window.

On organic alternatives. Tobacco stems and carabao manure look cheap on the surface but the economics rarely work for a commercial 6-ha pond. Tobacco at ₱6K–₱24K total is appealing, but you cannot source uniform supply, nicotine content varies 3–5×, and you need a separate fish kill (so you still buy teaseed). Manure is bulkier — you need 6,000–9,000 kg total, which is 6–9 truckloads at delivery cost of ₱8K–₱15K just in transport. The "savings" disappear after logistics.

On break-even. The BFS-013 prep phase budget is ₱46,900–₱60,400 vs ₱103,900 for BFS-012. At our target revenue of ₱1,512,000 (50,000 fingerlings × 90% survival × 300g × ₱112/kg), this represents a 3.7% reduction in cost-of-goods-prep. Margin lift: approximately 6.5% on the prep line item, 1.5% on total cycle gross margin.

My verdict: BFS-013 is financially superior to BFS-012 by ~₱50K/cycle and 7 days. The savings should not be redirected away from probiotics or fingerling quality. Capture the savings, do not dilute them.

Council Convergence

All four advisors endorse BFS-013 as the preferred pathway subject to the Day 0 soil pH gate. Dr. Santos confirms the chemistry. Dr. Bulaong confirms safety within the soil pH window. Ricardo confirms operational feasibility. Jennifer confirms financial superiority. The single point of risk is acid-sulfate soil. Run the soil test. If pH passes, proceed with confidence.

3. Probe Questions — Pre-Implementation Gate

Seven decision-gate questions. Gary must answer all seven before committing to BFS-013 vs BFS-012.

Decision rule: If any single question returns a "no-go" condition, default to BFS-012 (lime pathway). Do not partially commit. Mixing protocols mid-cycle is more expensive than running BFS-012 from the start.
1Has the pond bottom soil pH been tested in the last 6 months?
If YES (pH 6.5–8.5): Proceed with BFS-013. Document the reading and date.
If YES (pH 6.5–8.5 but >6 months old): Re-test before Day 0. Soils drift.
If YES (pH below 6.5): Revert to BFS-012. Lime is required.
If NO: Stop. Get soil pH test done (UPLB Soil Sci lab or local agricultural office) before scheduling Day 0.
2Are pest fish (tilapia, mudfish, predator gobies) confirmed present in the pond right now?
If YES: Teaseed application is justified. Proceed.
If NO (pond is fresh/never stocked): Reconsider. Teaseed may be unnecessary. Run a 10-day sun-dry only, then fertilize.
If UNKNOWN: Walk the pond perimeter at dusk with a flashlight. Set 2–3 small cast-net samples. Confirm before spending ₱25K.
3What is the current pond water level — can it be drained to 20–30 cm by Day 0?
If YES (drain pump operational, gates functional): Proceed. Plan drain timing 2 days before teaseed application.
If NO (drain blocked, pump down): Fix infrastructure first. Teaseed is wasted in a 1m water column.
If PARTIAL (can only drain to 50 cm): Increase teaseed dose proportionally (×1.5 to ×2). Cost rises ~₱15K.
4Is there an accessible teaseed cake supplier within Bulacan or Metro Manila?
If YES (supplier confirmed, COA available, saponin ≥10%): Proceed. Order 500–600 kg with 10% safety margin.
If YES (supplier confirmed, but no COA): Apply at the high end of the rate range (100 kg/ha) to compensate for unknown potency.
If NO: Either source from agricultural traders in Divisoria/Bambang or revert to BFS-012. Do not substitute with derris root or other untested botanicals at scale.
5Has there been a prior crop in this pond? Any disease history (vibriosis, EUS, viral)?
If YES (clean prior crop, no disease): Standard BFS-013 protocol is sufficient.
If YES (disease history, especially viral): Revert to BFS-012. Lime's high pH (>10) provides disinfection that teaseed does not.
If NO (new pond, no prior crop): Proceed with BFS-013.
6What is the neap tide schedule for Manila Bay during the target Day 0 window?
If neap tide falls within target window: Schedule Day 0 within ±1 day of neap minimum.
If only spring tide is available: Postpone Day 0 by 7 days to next neap. Spring tide will dilute teaseed even with gates closed.
Source: PAGASA tide tables (bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph) — check Manila South Harbor or Cavite stations.
7What is the budget specifically allocated for pond prep chemicals this cycle?
If ≥₱60,000 available: BFS-013 fully funded. Proceed.
If ₱40,000–₱60,000 available: BFS-013 viable but tight. Source teaseed at low end (₱40/kg).
If <₱40,000 available: Neither BFS-013 nor BFS-012 is fully funded. Do not start a partial cycle.
Pass criteria: All 7 questions return a "proceed" condition. If even one returns a "no-go" or "revert to BFS-012" condition, the council recommends switching protocols rather than partially committing.

4. Implementation Plan — Day-by-Day, Teaseed Pathway

Full timeline from Day 0 (teaseed application) to Day 48 (stocking). All times Manila Bay local.

Phase 1 · Eradication & Drying (Days 0–13)
Day 0 — Teaseed Application
Drain pond, broadcast teaseed cake, close all gates
Apply during neap tide. Pre-mix teaseed cake with pond water (slurry). Broadcast evenly. Target: 75–100 kg/ha = 450–600 kg total.
06:00 — Confirm water level at 20–30 cm. Top up if too low, drain if too high.
07:00 — Soak 9–12 sacks of teaseed cake in 4 drums of pond water (30 min soak).
08:00 — Begin broadcast. 2 caretakers in bangka, even pattern north-to-south.
10:00 — All gates closed and locked. Document with photo.
Caretaker photo report at 12:00 and 18:00.
Day 1–2 — Fish Kill Documentation
Saponin acts on gill membranes — fish surface and die
At >15 ppt salinity: kill complete in 1–4 hours. At <15 ppt: up to 16 hours. Caretaker photographs floating carcasses at 06:00 and 18:00.
Do NOT remove carcasses yet. Let saponin disperse first.
If kill is incomplete by Day 2 (live fish visible): apply second 25% dose (₱5K cost).
Day 3 — Full Drain, Remove Carcasses
Open all outlet gates, drain to dry. No saponin residue by Day 3.
Saponin biodegradation complete. Remove fish carcasses by net or rake. Bury or compost off-site.
06:00 — Open outlet gates. Full drain over 6–8 hours (tide-assisted).
14:00 — Caretakers walk pond bottom, collect all carcasses.
18:00 — Photo report: bottom condition, carcass disposal confirmed.
Days 3–13 — 10-Day Sun-Dry Cycle
Expose bottom to direct sun. Till on Day 5. Watch for surface cracks.
Sun-drying oxidizes organic matter, kills residual pathogens, and prepares bottom for fertilization. Cracks to 10 cm depth = drying complete.
Day 5 (08:00) — Till/harrow pond bottom with carabao or hand tools. Expose deeper soil.
Day 8 — Caretaker checks for cracks. Photo each quadrant.
Day 12 — Final dryness check. Soil should be friable, not muddy.
Day 12 — Soil pH retest at this point (confirm Day 0 reading still holds).
Day 13 (06:00–08:00) — Basal Fertilization
Apply Urea 46-0-0 + 16-20-0 + optional Potash. No lime wait — fertilize immediately.
Total inputs: Urea 150 kg (3 bags) + 16-20-0 300 kg (6 bags) + Potash 100 kg (2 bags, optional). Broadcast on dry bottom.
Urea 46-0-0: 25 kg/ha = 150 kg total. NEVER use Viking Blue or Amigo Urea+Zinc — kills probiotics.
16-20-0 SWIRE: 50 kg/ha = 300 kg total. ₱1,400/bag × 6 = ₱8,400.
Potash 0-0-60 Marca Bulaklak (optional): 2 bags = ₱2,600. Adds K for diatom co-bloom.
Apply by hand broadcast or via mechanical spreader. Even coverage critical.
Phase 2 · Flooding & Lablab Establishment (Days 13–28)
Day 13 (PM) — Begin Controlled Flooding
5 cm water depth on Day 1 of flooding. Slow rise.
Controlled flooding prevents fertilizer washout. Inlet gates partially open, screened against pest fish re-entry.
Verify all 6 inlet/outlet gate screens are installed and intact.
Open inlet gates 25% only. Target 5 cm depth by 18:00.
Day 15 — Probiotic Dose 1 (48h after urea)
ImmunoDefence Aqua activation. 48h NH₃ buffer satisfied.
Pre-stocking pond seeding: 9 kg ImmunoDefence Aqua activated with 12L molasses. See BFS-012 Section 8 for full probiotic protocol.
Activation: dissolve 3 kg ImmunoDefence in 50L pond water + 4L molasses. Aerate 12h.
Apply activated culture by bangka, even distribution.
Repeat with remaining 6 kg over Days 15–16.
Days 13–20 — Progressive Water Rise
3–5 cm/day. Target 25–30 cm by Day 20.
Slow flooding allows lablab spores to establish on the bottom before depth dilutes nutrients.
Daily caretaker photo at 06:00 — water level marker reading.
Check screens daily — any tear is a re-infestation risk.
Days 20–25 — Lablab Appearance
Brown-gold patches on pond bottom = lablab Day 7–10
Lablab is the food base for stocked milkfish. Cover should expand daily.
Caretaker photos document % coverage daily.
If no lablab by Day 23: water pH test, soil pH retest. Possible reasons: low phosphate uptake, residual saponin (unlikely), wrong salinity.
Day 28 — Maintenance Fertilizer Round 1
Exchange 1/3 water → wait 24h → apply 16-20-0 50 kg/ha
Maintenance fertilization extends lablab maturity and supports continued bloom.
Day 27 (16:00) — exchange 1/3 pond volume via tidal flow.
Day 28 (06:00) — apply 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha = 300 kg total.
Day 30 (06:00) — Probiotic Dose 2 (48h after fertilizer).
Phase 3 · Final Conditioning & Stocking (Days 28–48)
Day 43 — Maintenance Fertilizer Round 2
Second 16-20-0 dose + pre-stocking probiotic pond seeding
Final preparation push. Lablab should be at peak coverage. Probiotic load primed for stocking.
Day 42 (16:00) — 1/3 water exchange.
Day 43 (06:00) — 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha = 300 kg.
Day 45 (06:00) — Pre-stocking ImmunoDefence Aqua seeding (final 3 kg of 9 kg total).
Day 45 — Pre-Stocking 5-Criterion Check
All five criteria must pass. Do not stock if any fails.
Final go/no-go gate before fingerlings enter the water.
① Lablab coverage ≥70% of pond bottom (visual + photo grid).
② Water pH 7.5–8.5 (test kit, three locations).
③ Salinity 15–25 ppt (refractometer).
④ Water depth 60–80 cm (marker post).
⑤ Water temperature 28–30°C (thermometer at dawn).
Day 48 — STOCKING
50,000 fingerlings (3–5 cm) released at dawn or dusk
Stress-minimized stocking. Acclimate fingerlings 30 min before release. Avoid midday heat.
05:00–07:00 OR 17:00–19:00 only — no midday stocking.
Acclimate: float bags in pond water 20–30 min before release.
Photo and count documentation by Gary in person.

5. Fertilization Protocol — Urea Primary + Alternatives Table

Primary protocol is urea-based inorganic. Alternatives table covers backup organic options when urea is unavailable.

Primary Protocol (Urea-Based, Lime-Free)

  • Basal (Day 13): Urea 46-0-0 at 25 kg/ha (150 kg total) + 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha (300 kg total) + optional Potash 0-0-60 (2 bags = 100 kg).
  • No 14-day phosphate restriction — without lime, there is no calcium load to react with phosphate. Apply N and P together.
  • 48-hour urea→ammonia buffer still applies before probiotic application. Wait until Day 15.
  • Maintenance (Days 28, 43): 16-20-0 at 50 kg/ha = 300 kg per dose. Water exchange 24h before.
  • Why this works without lime: Urea hydrolyzes to NH₄⁺ + HCO₃⁻ — bicarbonate provides mild alkalinity buffering. 16-20-0 is acidifying, so the two roughly balance.

Alternatives Comparison Table

For situations where urea is unavailable or organic route is preferred. Note: tobacco as fertilizer has a dual purpose — residual nicotine deters some snails and invertebrates — but it does NOT replace teaseed for fish eradication.

Fertilizer Rate per ha Cost (6 ha) Pros Cons Verdict
Urea 46-0-0 (Viking Ship Prilled) 25 kg/ha basal ~₱6,000 Fast-release N, controlled, no contaminants, predictable Slightly acidifies soil over time, 48h NH₃ buffer needed RECOMMENDED
16-20-0 Ammophose (SWIRE) 50 kg/ha basal ~₱8,400 basal + ₱42K maint = ₱50,400 total Best P:N ratio for lablab, SEAFDEC-validated, no lime conflict in BFS-013 None at this dose in lime-free protocol REQUIRED
Chicken manure (dried) 1,000 kg/ha ₱30,000–₱60,000 Cheap if local, adds organic matter, slow-release N H₂S risk in anaerobic pockets, antibiotic contamination, salmonella, variable quality, fly attraction BACKUP ONLY
Tobacco stems/dust 50–100 kg/ha ₱6,000–₱24,000 Natural N source, snail and invertebrate deterrent (nicotine residue), organic Inconsistent nicotine levels, hard to source uniformly, low P content, does NOT replace teaseed for fish kill BACKUP ONLY
Carabao / farm manure 1,500 kg/ha ₱27,000–₱54,000 Lower H₂S risk than chicken manure, cheap if local supply Bulky transport (6–9 truckloads), variable N content, requires large quantity, logistics often eat savings BACKUP ONLY
Potash 0-0-60 (Marca Bulaklak) 17 kg/ha (optional) ~₱2,600 Adds K for diatom co-bloom, supports lablab vigor Optional — bloom proceeds without it OPTIONAL
Jennifer Lim's note on organic alternatives: The cost columns above are gross input costs only. They exclude transport (6–9 truckloads for manure), labor (4× more handling time vs urea), and quality risk. Once total cost-of-acquisition is included, organic alternatives rarely beat urea at the 6-hectare scale. Use only as emergency backup when urea is genuinely unavailable.

6. Caretaker Operating Manual (Printable)

Step-by-step procedures for the on-site caretaker. Print and post on the pump house door.

T1

Teaseed Pre-Mix (Day 0, 07:00)

Duration: 1 hour
Tools needed4 drums (200L each), 2 paddles, bangka, PPE (gloves, mask, long sleeves), 9–12 sacks teaseed cake (50 kg each)
ProcedureFill each drum 3/4 full with pond water. Pour 2–3 sacks teaseed cake per drum. Stir. Soak 30 min. Stir again to slurry consistency.
PhotoSend Gary photo of drums + sacks count via Viber at 07:30.
DO NOT broadcast dry teaseed — it floats and clumps. Always pre-mix.
T2

Teaseed Broadcast (Day 0, 08:00)

Duration: 2 hours
Procedure2 caretakers in bangka. Ladle slurry overboard in even pattern. Cover full pond surface. North-to-south, then east-to-west cross-pattern.
CoverageTarget: complete even coverage of all 6 hectares. Do not leave dead zones.
ClosingBy 10:00 all inlet AND outlet gates must be closed and locked.
PhotoPhoto of closed gates at 10:00. Photo of pond surface (slight cloudiness = good coverage).
If any gate is found open after broadcast — call Gary immediately. Saponin may have escaped to neighbor pond.
T3

Fish Kill Monitoring (Day 1–2)

Duration: 24–48 hours
Check times06:00 and 18:00 daily. Walk pond perimeter. Photograph floating carcasses.
Expected timingIf salinity >15 ppt: kill complete in 1–4 hours. If <15 ppt: up to 16 hours. Full kill by Day 2.
Red flagIf live fish still visible at Day 2 evening — call Gary. May need second 25% dose.
Caretaker termTagalog: nakalutang na lahat ng isda (all fish are floating) = kill complete.
T4

Drain & Carcass Removal (Day 3)

Duration: 8 hours
06:00Open all outlet gates. Full drain (tide-assisted).
14:00Walk pond bottom with rakes. Collect all carcasses into sacks. Bury at least 50m from pond edge, or compost off-site.
PPEGloves and boots. Fish are not contaminated but handling is unpleasant.
PhotoBottom condition photo + carcass disposal photo to Gary.
SD

Sun-Drying Check (Days 3–13)

Duration: 10 days
DailyPhoto of pond bottom at 12:00 each day. Note any rainfall.
Day 5Till bottom with carabao or hand harrow. Expose deeper soil. Photo before/after.
Day 8Look for surface cracks. Cracks 5–10 cm deep = drying on track.
Day 12Final check. Soil should be friable (can crumble in hand), not muddy. Cracks visible across all quadrants.
If heavy rain delays drying, extend cycle by the rain days. Do not fertilize muddy bottom.
F1

Fertilizer Application (Day 13, 06:00–08:00)

Duration: 2 hours
InputsUrea: 3 bags (150 kg). 16-20-0: 6 bags (300 kg). Potash: 2 bags (100 kg, optional).
ProcedureBroadcast by hand or mechanical spreader. Even coverage. Do NOT pile.
OrderApply 16-20-0 first, then Urea, then Potash. 15-min interval between each.
Verify brandUrea MUST be Viking Ship Prilled (white sack). Never Viking Blue or Amigo Urea+Zinc — these kill probiotics.
PhotoPhoto of each empty fertilizer sack before disposal.
FL

Controlled Flooding (Days 13–20)

Duration: 7 days
Day 13 PMOpen inlet gates 25%. Target 5 cm depth by 18:00.
Days 14–20Rise 3–5 cm per day. Target 25–30 cm by Day 20.
RuleNever more than 5 cm/day. Faster rise washes out fertilizer.
ScreensCheck all 6 gate screens daily. Any tear = report immediately.
MarkerUse depth marker post painted at 5/10/15/20/25/30/40/60/80 cm.
PR

Probiotic Activation (Day 15)

Duration: 12h activation + 2h application
ActivationDay 14 evening: dissolve 3 kg ImmunoDefence Aqua in 50L pond water + 4L molasses. Aerate overnight (12h) with small air pump.
ApplicationDay 15 morning: pour activated culture into bangka and distribute across pond surface. Repeat with remaining 6 kg over Day 15–16.
Timing ruleAlways 48h after urea application. Urea ammonia spike kills probiotic culture if applied too soon.
DR

Daily Report Requirements

Daily 06:00 + 18:00
ChannelViber to Gary. Photo + short caption.
06:00 photos(1) Water level at depth marker. (2) Water surface color. (3) Lablab coverage (after Day 20).
18:00 photos(1) Pond panorama. (2) Any concern (dead fish, algae bloom, equipment issue).
WeeklySunday 12:00 — soil/water pH strip photo, salinity reading photo.

Red Flags — Call Gary Immediately

  • Any gate found open after teaseed application — saponin may have escaped
  • Live pest fish visible after Day 2 of teaseed application
  • Heavy rain during sun-drying phase (≥2 days continuous)
  • Water pH outside 7.0–9.0 range at any reading
  • No lablab visible by Day 23 — bloom failure
  • Dead shrimp, crabs, or invertebrates in adjacent waterways (saponin leakage)
  • Wrong fertilizer delivered (Viking Blue, Amigo Urea+Zinc, or unbranded)
  • Any unauthorized person seen applying chemicals to pond — see Section 8 emergency protocol
  • Screens torn or missing on any inlet/outlet gate
  • Sudden fish die-off after stocking

7. Cost Analysis

Full BFS-013 prep phase budget, comparison to BFS-012, and total cycle economics.

BFS-013 vs BFS-012 — Pond Prep Phase Comparison

Line Item BFS-012 (Lime) BFS-013 (Teaseed) Delta
Quicklime (CaO) 1,250 kg/ha ₱75,000 — –₱75,000
Teaseed cake 75–100 kg/ha (450–600 kg total) — ₱18,000–₱31,500 +₱18K–₱31.5K
16-20-0 Ammophose (6 bags basal + 12 bags maintenance) ₱8,400 ₱8,400 —
Urea 46-0-0 (3 bags) ₱6,000 ₱6,000 —
Potash 0-0-60 (2 bags, optional) ₱2,600 ₱2,600 —
ImmunoDefence Aqua pond seeding (9 kg) ₱1,800 ₱1,800 —
Molasses (12L) ₱600 ₱600 —
Equipment (screens, markers, test kits, drums) ₱9,500 ₱9,500 —
Pond Prep Subtotal ₱103,900 ₱46,900–₱60,400 –₱43,500 to –₱57,000

Full Cycle Budget Comparison (6 Hectares, 50,000 Fingerlings)

Phase BFS-012 BFS-013
Pond Prep (above)₱103,900₱46,900–₱60,400
Fingerlings (50,000 × ₱4)₱200,000₱200,000
Feed (4 months grow-out)₱380,000₱380,000
Probiotic top-ups (in-feed)₱18,000₱18,000
Caretaker labor + utilities₱27,100₱27,100
Total Cycle ₱729,000 ₱672,000–₱685,500
₱43.5K–₱57K
Per-Cycle Savings
vs BFS-012
~7 days
Cycle Time Saved
48 vs 55 days prep
₱87K–₱171K
Annual Savings
at 2–3 cycles/year
₱1,512,000
Target Revenue
50K × 90% × 300g × ₱112
₱826K–₱840K
Target Gross Profit
BFS-013 baseline
Capture the savings: Jennifer Lim's note — the ₱43.5K–₱57K savings should flow directly to margin, not be redirected to expansion or premium fingerlings. If you find yourself "freeing up budget for X," you have not actually captured the saving.

8. Emergency Recovery Protocol — Unauthorized Chemical Application

What to do if a caretaker, neighbor, or unauthorized party applies NaCN, organophosphate, or other chemical to the pond without owner authorization.

Key Rule: SKIP TEASEED APPLICATION

All organisms in the pond are already dead from the unauthorized chemical. Adding teaseed serves no purpose and creates the following problems:

  • Nothing to eradicate — pests are already killed
  • Saponin in water with chemical residual creates unpredictable chemistry
  • 3-day teaseed wait extends recovery timeline pointlessly
  • Wastes ₱18K–₱31.5K of teaseed cake budget

Recovery Steps (Teaseed-Pathway Version)

E1

DRAIN IMMEDIATELY (Hour 0–6)

Same day
ActionOpen all outlet gates. Full drain. Do not allow chemical-laden water to sit in pond.
PPEMask, gloves, boots near drain water. NaCN and OPs are dangerous via inhalation/skin contact.
DocumentPhoto drain water color/smell, GPS-tagged.
NotifyIf chemical confirmed: notify BFAR Bulacan and local barangay for downstream water risk.
E2

10-DAY SUN DRY (Days 1–10)

10 days
ActionExpose bottom to direct sun. Same protocol as standard BFS-013 dry phase.
Day 5Till/harrow bottom. Exposes chemical-bound particles to UV breakdown.
Day 8Cracks should be visible.
E3

FLUSH CYCLE (Days 10–11)

1 day
ActionFlood to 20–30 cm. Hold 24 hours. Drain again. Removes water-soluble chemical residuals.
PhotoDocument flush water color/clarity.
E4

SOIL pH TEST (Day 12)

Same day
TestComposite sample from 4 quadrants. Strip or kit test.
If pH 6.5–8.5PROCEED LIME-FREE Continue BFS-013 normal protocol from Day 13.
If pH below 6.5ONE EMERGENCY LIME DOSE Apply CaO 1,250 kg/ha. Reverts to BFS-012 14-day phosphate restriction for this batch only.
DocumentPhoto of test strip, write date and reading on Gary's log.
E5

FERTILIZE (Day 12–13 if no lime; Day 26+ if lime applied)

Per standard protocol
If no limeApply Urea + 16-20-0 + optional Potash per standard BFS-013 protocol (Section 5).
If lime appliedWait 14 days. Then apply Urea only on Day 26 (no phosphate). Add 16-20-0 on Day 28.
E6

RESUME NORMAL PROTOCOL

Day 13 onward (no lime) or Day 28+ (with lime)
From hereStandard controlled flooding, probiotic, lablab, stocking sequence resumes as per BFS-013 Section 4 or BFS-012 timeline.

Scenario Timeline Comparison

Scenario Days to Stocking Delay vs Plan Extra Cost
Normal BFS-013 48 days — —
Normal BFS-012 (lime) 55 days +7 days +₱43.5K–₱57K vs BFS-013
Unauthorized chemical, soil pH stays in range ~58 days from chemical event +10 days from event Minimal (no teaseed needed)
Unauthorized chemical, soil pH dropped below 6.5 ~65–72 days from event +17–24 days from event +₱75K (emergency lime)
Preventive measure: Gary holds the only key to the chemical storage. Caretaker has no access to chemicals beyond probiotic and pre-measured fertilizer bags for scheduled application days. This single control eliminates 90% of unauthorized chemical risk.

9. Risk Register

Probability × Impact × Mitigation for the 8 highest-impact risks specific to the BFS-013 lime-free pathway.

HIGH
R1: Soil pH below 6.5 discovered after committing to teaseed-only
Probability: 20% (Bulacan acid-sulfate risk) · Impact: lablab failure, fingerling kill
Mitigation: Soil pH test BEFORE Day 0 is non-negotiable. If marginal (6.5–7.0), have emergency lime on standby. If below 6.5, switch to BFS-012 before applying teaseed.
HIGH
R2: Teaseed cake unavailable or saponin % unknown
Probability: 30% (seasonal supply) · Impact: pest fish survive, ₱25K wasted
Mitigation: Source from 2+ suppliers minimum. Insist on Certificate of Analysis with saponin %. If COA unavailable, apply at high end of dose range (100 kg/ha).
MED
R3: Pest fish re-entry before stocking
Probability: 15% · Impact: predation on stocked fingerlings, partial crop loss
Mitigation: Verify all 6 gate screens before flooding starts. Daily caretaker screen check. If pest fish visible by Day 30, apply second partial teaseed dose (200 kg total) at 20–30 cm water level.
MED
R4: Urea ammonia spike kills probiotic culture
Probability: 10% · Impact: probiotic batch wasted (₱600), bloom delay
Mitigation: Strict 48h wait between urea (Day 13) and probiotic application (Day 15). Water NH₃ test kit on hand. If >1 ppm NH₃ on Day 15, extend wait by 24h.
MED
R5: Neap tide mistimed — teaseed diluted
Probability: 15% · Impact: partial pest fish kill, dose may need to be doubled
Mitigation: Lock Day 0 to neap minimum ±1 day. Cross-check PAGASA tide table 1 week before Day 0. Backup option: 7-day postpone if window missed.
LOW
R6: Tobacco/manure alternative introduces H₂S
Probability: 5% (only if alternatives used) · Impact: black bottom, anaerobic pockets, fingerling kill
Mitigation: Default to urea. If forced to use manure, pre-test with small corner application 2 weeks before main dose. Watch for black H₂S patches.
MED
R7: Unauthorized chemical applied after flooding begins
Probability: 5% · Impact: total crop loss, 10–24 day delay
Mitigation: Owner-only chemical storage key. Caretaker has no access to bulk chemicals. If detected: invoke Section 8 emergency protocol. Drain immediately.
LOW
R8: Multi-cycle soil pH drift (urea acidification)
Probability: 40% over 4 cycles · Impact: gradual lablab decline
Mitigation: Soil pH retest at every harvest. If pH drops below 6.8, apply maintenance agricultural limestone (250 kg/ha — NOT quicklime) between cycles. Do not run BFS-013 for more than 2 consecutive cycles without revisiting baseline.

10. Immediate Action Checklist — Pre-BFS-013 Gate

Six pre-commitment actions Gary must complete before scheduling Day 0.

  • Get soil pH test done on pond bottom before Day 0.
    Composite sample from 4 quadrants. UPLB Soil Sci lab, local agricultural office, or onsite kit. Result must be 6.5–8.5 for BFS-013 to proceed. This is the go/no-go gate.
  • Source teaseed cake — confirm supplier, saponin %, price per kg, delivery lead time.
    Target: ₱40–70/kg, saponin ≥10%, COA available. Minimum 2 suppliers contacted. Order 500–600 kg with 10% buffer.
  • Check neap tide calendar for Paombong / Manila Bay.
    PAGASA tide tables (bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph) — Manila South Harbor station. Identify neap minimum ±1 day window for Day 0.
  • Confirm pest fish status in pond.
    Visual inspection at dusk + 2–3 cast-net samples. If no pest fish detected, reconsider whether teaseed is needed.
  • Verify all 6 inlet/outlet gate screens are installed and intact before teaseed application day.
    Photograph each screen. Any tear → replace before Day 0. Screen mesh 1.5 mm or finer.
  • Confirm financial decision: BFS-013 saves ₱43,500–₱57,000 vs BFS-012.
    Earmark ₱60K for prep phase (high estimate). Do not redirect the savings to expansion this cycle — capture to margin.

Council Final Statement

BFS-013 is the preferred pathway for the May–July 2026 cycle, contingent on the Day 0 soil pH gate. If pH passes, you gain ₱43.5K–₱57K of margin and 7 days of cycle time. If pH fails, BFS-012 remains a fully validated fallback. The decision sits with one number: pond bottom soil pH. Get that reading and commit.

— Dr. Maria Santos, Dr. Ramon Bulaong, Ricardo Dela Cruz, Jennifer Lim · May 12, 2026

BFS-013 v1 — Teaseed-Only Pond Preparation Pathway (Lime-Free Protocol)

Issued May 12, 2026  |  Council: Dr. Maria Santos (Aquaculture Chemistry), Dr. Ramon Bulaong (Soil & Water Science), Ricardo Dela Cruz (Farm Operations), Jennifer Lim (Agricultural Finance)

6 Hectares · Paombong, Bulacan, Philippines  |  Alternative to BFS-012 (Inorganic Lime Protocol)  |  References: SEAFDEC Bombeo-Tuburan 1989, BFAR Bangus Industry Roadmap 2021–2040, FAO Pond Culture of Penaeid Shrimp, FAO Farm-Made Aquafeeds Manual, JAFC Theasaponin E1 vs Pomacea canaliculata (ACS 2025), UPLB Biotech ImmunoDefence Aqua Patent 1-2017-000306, PAGASA tide tables Manila Bay, 3M Limestone Corp (San Rafael, Bulacan, emergency lime supplier)