Sarah Parvin & The Slab Lab
Based in North Alabama, Sarah Parvin, known across platforms as “The Closer", is on an extraordinary mission: growing and catching world-record coppernose bluegill from her pond.
Sarah and her father, Dr. Dennis Olive, run a 5-acre pond outside Huntsville. Originally a bass fishery, a major fish kill in 2018 prompted a pivot. They restocked with coppernose bluegill and began selective breeding, feeding, and ecosystem management designed for trophy-sized panfish.
What began as a setback quickly evolved into an intentional experiment in elite sportfishery. With help from experts at American Sport Fish Hatchery, they stocked the pond with genetically superior coppernose bluegill. Then came the science: daily feeding regimens, water chemistry monitoring, selective harvest, and habitat optimization. Sarah dubbed it The Slab Lab—a living experiment and proving ground for record-breaking bluegill.
Devastation Hit The Slab Lab
The Slab Lab recently experienced a "perfect storm" of events which led to a fish kill of thousands of trophy fish. Extreme heat, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), heavy fish load, and a flash flood rain event all played a role in this unfortunate loss.
That isn't where this story ends. An all-star team of professionals from around the US are working together to rebuild this beautiful fishing oasis.
If you have recently experienced a fish kill here is what you need to do:
- Add Oxygen! Even if low dissolved oxygen wasn't the root cause of the fish kill Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) skyrockets after a kill. Operating a surface aerator ASAP will help to restore and maintain healthy oxygen levels.
- Get your water tested! A water test can provide answers to what went wrong, but more importantly, how to move forward. If a major fish kill occurs in your pond, get your water tested prior to swimming or letting your pets and livestock in the water.
- Remove the dead fish. Dead fish add a significant amount of ammonia and waste into a pond. When it is possible, remove the fish to avoid additional water quality issues.
- Begin applying beneficial bacteria immediately. Regardless of water quality conditions before the fish kill, this event will cause an increase in ammonia. Some fish may float to the surface during a fish kill event, but others will not. Protect the remaining fish in the pond by breaking down the new waste build up. Ammonia and increased suspended organic debris puts added stress on fish and makes it difficult for fish to breathe. If you want to restock your pond, it's also a good idea to introduce bacteria prior to adding fish. Rapidbac is a fast acting beneficial bacteria that targets ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite in water. Muck Remover is a beneficial bacteria treatment that consumes organic waste and muck that accumulates at the pond bottom.
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How To Grow Trophy Fish
Some of the principals followed by the Slab Lab can be implemented in your pond to grow big beautiful fish. Here are a few of their secrets:
- Maintain Healthy Water. Cleaner water = higher growth yield. Fish that have clean water will grow more. Fish in poor water quality will be stressed and are more susceptible to disease. Fish in unhealthy conditions will not take feed like they will in clean water which slows down growth.
- Use High Quality Feed. A fish that is provided a premium diet with quality sourced ingredients will gain more mass than a fish that is given a cheaper low grade food. Proper nutrition will improve their immune system. Premium feed also results in lower waste going back into the water.
- Provide Proper Habitat. Fish habitat is necessary for maintaining a thriving ecosystem. There are many different types of artifical and natural habitat that provide shelter, protection, food, and places for spawning.
- Select Harvesting Fish. If an overabundance of fish are in a pond or lake, this can lead to stunted growth. Not only does overcrowding limit the available forage for fish, it can also lead to unhealthy, undersized, and stunted fish that are unlikely to ever grow to trophy size. Speak with a fish manager to dial in to what harvest numbers should be in your pond based on your goals.
Build a Healthy Habitat for Trophy Fish With Aeration
If your goal is to grow large, healthy fish, oxygen is not optional—it’s essential. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is the single most important factor in pond water quality, and inadequate levels will limit fish growth, suppress feeding, and increase the risk of fish kills. Strategic pond aeration ensures a stable oxygen supply, creating the conditions needed for fish to thrive.
Why Dissolved Oxygen Matters
Dissolved oxygen is how fish breathe. Without it, they suffocate—especially in late summer when water temperatures rise and oxygen naturally declines. But it’s not just about survival. High oxygen levels allow fish to:
- Digest food more efficiently
- Grow faster and larger
- Resist disease and lower stress
- Utilize all depths of the pond safely
Research shows that ideal DO levels for sport fish such as bass and bluegill range between 5–9 ppm. Anything below 3 ppm can be dangerous, and near 2 ppm, mass fish kills can occur.
Aeration: Your Pond’s Life Support System
Aeration introduces oxygen into pond water and circulates it from top to bottom. This prevents dangerous stratification (layering of warm, oxygen-rich water over cooler, oxygen-poor water) and reduces the risk of sudden dissolved oxygen crashes.
Key Benefits of Pond Aeration:
✅ Improved Oxygen Distribution
✅ Reduction of Bottom Sludge & Organic Waste
✅ Elimination of Dead Zones
✅ Healthier Fish with Greater Growth Potential
✅ Reduced Algae Blooms and Odor Issues
Avoid the heartbreak of losing years of fish growth. Learn how to respond to oxygen crashes in our Fish Kill Emergency Guide>>
Recommended Aeration Systems for Trophy Ponds
At Natural Waterscapes, we carry proven aeration solutions designed to support sport fish growth and protect water quality:
✔️ Bottom Diffused Aerators
Best for deep ponds. Oxygen is pumped from the bottom up, ensuring full water column circulation.
✔️ Surface Aerators
Ideal for emergencies or shallow ponds where rapid oxygen transfer is needed. Delivers immediate surface agitation.
Don’t Let Poor Oxygen Ruin Your Pond. Your fish deserve the best. Aeration isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of your fishery.