Call Circle C @ 301-872-4177

Congratulations! You are now the owner of your very own Circle C Floating Oyster Reef©!

So what do you do now©

What to do when you get your Floating Oyster Reef©.

First inspect your new equipment and oysters.

Make sure there is no visible damage and that the oysters are closed. This means they are alive.

Secure a line to each end of the Floating Oyster Reef by first tying an overhand knot around the float pipe, then bring the line around one more time and tie a bowline. Tie your Floating Oyster Reef© up to your dock, pilings or anchor like you would a boat. The major difference between a boat and your reef is that the side of the Floating Oyster Reef© should face into the waves. Make sure to tie the Floating Oyster Reef© so that it stays clear of pilings. Choose a location where there is a good flow of brackish water. Oysters need a lot to eat, and food comes to them on the tide.

 

What to do when you Harvest (if you bought cocktail oysters you may want to start this right away.)

If you live on conditional waters call MDE @ 1-800-541-1210 to verify water conditions.

Take a careful look at how the various lines are attached. This configuration is very important. Note how the line from one bag is attached to the bags on either side. This ties all of the bags together as a unit. It holds the system together in rough water. Because of this you should put your Floating Oyster Reef© back together this way after each time you harvest.

To make harvesting even easier buy a Taylor Float and just empty all of the oysters you have grown into it! Then all you need to do from then on is open the lid and reach in to get the oysters you want to eat! When the water is cold some of our customers have found crab tongs are great for picking up the oysters and keeping their hands out of the chilly water!

There is a small line tied between each end bag and the float pipe. This line holds the oyster bags in place so that they do not all slide to one end.
Remove a bag from the reef by unhooking it. You will then see that there are two white pieces of split pipe, one on either end of the bag. When harvesting you will remove one pipe by cutting the cable ties and sliding it off. Remove the oysters and replace the pipe and cable ties every time. Now reassemble your Floating Oyster Reef© and enjoy your oysters!!

 

Whoops! I've eaten all my oysters.

Just call Circle C Oyster Ranchers Association Inc. to order a new Floating Oyster Reef™ - 301-872-5126. Remember Oyster seed is free, but it comes only with your purchase of a a new Floating Oyster Reef™! We do /_*not*_/ sell oyster seed separately

 

Maintenance: all you need to do is watch your oysters grow and care for them (a little.)

Maintenance should be done on a regular basis to keep the water flowing through your oysters so they can feed and to prevent them from being eaten by small blue crabs.

Blue crabs can swim and they like to eat oysters. If one gets inside of the oyster bag it can eat an average of 40 oysters over the summer! Make sure you check for them and remove them when you see them. A good way to identify a blue crab is by looking at the back leg. It is designed as a paddle for swimming. Most other small crabs will not hurt your oysters so you do not need to worry about them.

The mesh of your oyster bag can get plugged up with unwanted organisms, both plant and animal. The oyster bag below is literally covered with sea squirts.

To prevent this just roll your Floating Oyster ReefT over (below) whenever you see or feel things attaching to the bag or float (about once a month in the summer give or take a week). Even barnacles can be prevented if you catch them when they are very small. If you let them get too big you will have to remove them by hand. Bricks work great for this.

Only leave your Floating Oyster ReefT turned over for 24 hours. Although oysters can take being out of the water for a while they do need to be underwater the rest of the time!

Enjoy your homegrown oysters! Questions?

We are only a phone call away. 301-872-5126