TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE FISHES 



351 



The K values indicate that pine must be 4 times as thick as urethane to 

 give the same insulating quality. Generally, combinations of various materi- 

 als are used in fabricating distribution tanks. 



The distribution tank in Figure 109 is constructed with marine plywood, 

 insulated with styrofoam and covered inside and out with fiber glass. Units 

 vary in size and may contain several compartments. 



Warmwater distribution tanks generally are compartmented. Compart- 

 ments facilitate fish stocking at several different sites on a single trip, per- 

 mit separation of species, and act as baffles to prevent water surges. The 

 number of compartments used in tanks ranges from two to eight, four be- 

 ing most common. Tanks in current use have 300-700-gallon capacities, 

 averaging about 450 gallons. However, 1,200-gallon tanks occasionally are 

 used to transport catchable size catfish, trout, and bass. 



Although most tanks presently in use are rectangular, the trend in recent 

 years has been towards elliptical tanks, such as those used to transport 

 milk. This shape has several advantages. 



Figure 109. Fiberglass distribution tank with four compartments, each with an 

 electric aerator (arrow). Additional oxygen is provided through carbon rods or 

 micropore tubing on the bottom of the tank. (McNenny National Fish Hatchery, 



FWS.) 



