100 ABOUT LOBSTERS 



often necessary to install several sprayers and the oxida- 

 tion of the water becomes more effective when these are 

 placed high above the tank. Other effective methods for 

 oxidizing the water are, of course, possible. 



The pump used for circulating the water must have 

 a fixed capacity depending primarily on the number of 

 lobsters stored and on the temperature of the water. 

 The table below indicates the approximate capacities 

 of the pumps; at high storage temperatures (60°F. or 

 more), these figures may deviate. It is assumed that 

 the entire surface is put in motion by the pumps. 5 



Maine tanks held 300 gallons and 50 pounds of lobsters. 

 The pump circulated 400 gallons per hour. 



Foaming was a problem encountered by Maine after 

 the lobsters had been in the tank three days, and it lasted 

 from seven to twelve days. This foam was formed as the 

 water was discharged into the lobster tank in a soap-sudsy 

 mass and spread across the surface of the water in the tank. 



To combat this problem, "Antifoam A," a silicone de- 

 foamer, was employed and found very effective at a concen- 

 tration of ten parts per million in dispersing the foam. This 

 material had no apparent adverse effect upon the lobsters 

 at this concentration. 



According to the Danish bulletin, " The water should be 

 changed as soon as it becomes dark, muddy and malodorous 

 in spite of constant filtration. As long as the water stays 

 clear without much foam formation, it can be used. Normal- 

 ly, a change is only needed once or twice during the lob- 



Bramsnaes and Boetius, op. cit. 



