An experiment to raise catfish in a Midland Valley High School classroom has evolved since the beginning of the school year.

"The catfish required almost perfect conditions," said Jeremy Brooks, who teaches agriculture and natural resources classes at the school.

In September, there were about 80 catfish in a 600-gallon recirculating tank in Mr. Brooks' classroom. Now, the tank is one of several inside the school's greenhouse and the catfish have been replaced with bream and bass.

The result is an aquaponic system, and one of the first of its kind in a South Carolina high school, he said.

"It brings together hydroponics and aquaculture, and is a new thing in general," Mr. Brooks said.

Fish are raised in one tank and plants are grown in another. Fish waste is pumped through to a holding area then to the tank where it fertilizes the plants. That water is then pumped back into the fish tank.

The Midland Valley greenhouse has another tank with minnows that are used as food for the larger fish in the 600-gallon tank.

The program helps students who are interested in pursuing a career such as pond management.

"They learn how to take care of the fish," Mr. Brooks said.

Pond management is a field that interests sophomore Conlee Stone. His grandmother owns several ponds in the Langley area,.

"This is basically what I do now," Conlee said. "I clean up, feed the fish. There's a lot of money involved."

Caring for the fish in the tanks includes testing for water quality to ensure they have a safe habitat.

"Eventually, we will fill the entire greenhouse with tanks," Mr. Brooks said.