Road to BIOFloc - Advance Fish Farming

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What is Alkalinity?

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms, such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks, in controlled environments. The quality of the water in these environments is essential to the health and well-being of the aquatic organisms. One important aspect of water quality is alkalinity, which is a measure of the water’s ability to resist changes in pH.

What is Alkalinity in Aquaculture?

In aquaculture, alkalinity refers to the measurement of the water’s buffering capacity, which is its ability to neutralize acid. Alkalinity is often measured in terms of carbonate hardness, which represents the amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the water. Other compounds, such as bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydroxide (OH-), can also contribute to alkalinity.

Alkalinity is an important factor in the health and well-being of aquatic organisms because it helps to stabilize the pH of the water. A stable pH is important because it affects many biological and chemical processes in the water, including the solubility of minerals and the availability of dissolved oxygen. Changes in pH can be stressful or even lethal to aquatic organisms, so it’s important to maintain a stable pH by managing alkalinity.

Why is Alkalinity important in Aquaculture?

Alkalinity is important in aquaculture for several reasons. First, as mentioned earlier, alkalinity helps to stabilize the pH of the water. This is important because many aquatic organisms have a narrow range of pH values in which they can survive and thrive. Changes in pH can cause stress or even death to these organisms, so maintaining a stable pH is essential.

Second, alkalinity is important because it affects the availability of minerals in the water. Many minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are essential for the growth and development of aquatic organisms. However, these minerals can become insoluble in water when the pH is too low. Alkalinity helps to keep the pH from dropping too low, which in turn helps to keep these minerals soluble and available for uptake by the aquatic organisms.

Third, alkalinity plays a role in the breakdown of organic matter in the water. As organic matter decomposes, it produces organic acids that can lower the pH of the water. Alkalinity helps to neutralize these acids and prevent the pH from dropping too low. This, in turn, helps to maintain a healthy environment for the aquatic organisms.

Factors that Affect Alkalinity in Aquaculture

Several factors can affect alkalinity in aquaculture. One of the most important factors is the buffering capacity of the water. Water with a high buffering capacity will have a higher alkalinity and be better able to resist changes in pH. This is because water with a high buffering capacity has more carbonate, bicarbonate, and other alkaline compounds that can neutralize acid.

Another factor that can affect alkalinity is the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water. Carbon dioxide can contribute to the acidity of the water and reduce alkalinity. Changes in temperature, salinity, and other physical and chemical parameters can also affect alkalinity.

Monitoring and Managing Alkalinity in Aquaculture

To maintain optimal water quality in an aquaculture system, it is important to monitor and manage alkalinity. Regular monitoring of alkalinity can help identify potential problems early and allow for corrective action to be taken before serious damage is done to the aquatic organisms.

There are several ways to manage alkalinity in an aquaculture system. One common approach is to add buffering agents to the water, such as sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate. These agents can help maintain a stable alkalinity by neutralizing any excess acidity in the water.

Another approach is to manage the amount of organic matter in the system. Excessive organic matter can lead to the production of organic acids, which can lower alkalinity and destabilize the pH of the water. Managing the amount of organic matter in the system through proper feeding practices, adequate filtration, and regular water exchanges can help maintain a stable alkalinity.

Water exchanges are another important tool for managing alkalinity in an aquaculture system. When water is exchanged, it brings in fresh alkaline water and removes any excess acidity from the system. Regular water exchanges can help maintain a stable alkalinity and pH in the system.

Finally, it is important to maintain good management practices to prevent the buildup of excess acidity in the system. This can include regular cleaning of filters and other equipment, careful monitoring of feeding practices, and avoiding overstocking of the system.

Conclusion

Alkalinity is an important factor in the health and well-being of aquatic organisms in aquaculture. It helps to stabilize the pH of the water, maintain the availability of minerals, and prevent the buildup of excess acidity in the system. Monitoring and managing alkalinity in an aquaculture system is crucial to maintaining optimal water quality and ensuring the growth and survival of the aquatic organisms.

By maintaining a stable alkalinity, aquaculture professionals can create a healthy and stable environment for their aquatic organisms. This can lead to improved growth rates, better disease resistance, and overall improved performance of the system. With proper monitoring and management, alkalinity can be maintained at optimal levels, helping to ensure the long-term success of the aquaculture operation.

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What is pH?

Aquaculture is the practice of raising fish, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms in controlled environments. Maintaining optimal water quality is essential for the health and well-being of these aquatic animals. One important aspect of water quality is pH, which measures the acidity or basicity of the water.

What is pH in Aquaculture?

In aquaculture, pH refers to the measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in the water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being neutral. A pH below 7 is considered acidic, while a pH above 7 is considered basic or alkaline. Most aquatic organisms thrive in a narrow range of pH values, typically between 6.5 and 9.0.

Why is pH important in Aquaculture?

The pH of the water in an aquaculture system is important because it affects a variety of biological and chemical processes. For example, pH affects the solubility of minerals in the water, which can impact the growth and development of fish and other aquatic organisms. Changes in pH can also affect the availability of dissolved oxygen in the water, which is essential for the respiration of aquatic animals.

In addition to affecting the aquatic animals directly, pH can also impact the growth of beneficial bacteria in the water. These bacteria help break down waste products and other organic matter in the water, helping to maintain a healthy and stable environment for the aquatic organisms. However, if the pH is too high or too low, the bacteria may not be able to function effectively, which can lead to an accumulation of waste products and other harmful substances in the water.

Factors that Affect pH in Aquaculture

Several factors can affect the pH of the water in an aquaculture system. One of the most important factors is the buffering capacity of the water, which refers to the ability of the water to resist changes in pH. High buffering capacity means that the water can maintain a stable pH even in the face of changes in acidity or alkalinity.

Other factors that can impact pH in aquaculture include the presence of dissolved gases in the water, such as carbon dioxide, which can contribute to the acidity of the water. Changes in temperature, salinity, and other physical and chemical parameters can also impact pH.

Monitoring and Managing pH in Aquaculture

To maintain optimal water quality in an aquaculture system, it is important to monitor and manage the pH of the water. Regular monitoring of pH can help identify potential problems early and allow for corrective action to be taken before serious damage is done to the aquatic organisms.

There are several ways to manage pH in an aquaculture system. One common approach is to add buffering agents to the water, such as calcium carbonate or bicarbonate. These agents can help maintain a stable pH by neutralizing any excess acidity or alkalinity in the water.

Another approach is to manage the sources of acidity or alkalinity in the water. For example, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the water can help lower the acidity, while reducing the use of chemical fertilizers or other sources of alkalinity can help lower the pH.

In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the pH of the water directly using acid or alkaline solutions. However, this should only be done under the guidance of a qualified professional, as incorrect pH adjustment can be harmful or even lethal to aquatic organisms.

Conclusion

Maintaining optimal water quality is essential for the health and well-being of aquatic organisms in an aquaculture system. pH is an important parameter to monitor, as it affects a variety of biological and chemical processes in the water. By monitoring and managing pH levels in an aquaculture system, it is possible to maintain a healthy and stable environment for the aquatic organisms, helping to ensure their growth and survival.

In summary, pH is an essential parameter in aquaculture that affects the growth, health, and survival of aquatic organisms. By monitoring and managing pH levels in the water, aquaculture professionals can ensure optimal water quality, which is crucial for the success of their operations. Regular water quality testing, along with good management practices, can help to maintain optimal pH levels and ensure the health and well-being of the aquatic organisms in the system.

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pH Vs Alkalinity – A Detail Explanation

pH and alkalinity are both important measures of water quality, but they are distinct parameters that measure different aspects of water chemistry.

pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution, and it is defined as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) in a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH value below 7 is acidic, and a pH value above 7 is basic. The pH of natural water sources can vary widely depending on factors such as the geology of the surrounding area, the presence of dissolved gases, and the activity of aquatic organisms.

Alkalinity is a measure of the water’s ability to

resist changes in pH, and it is determined by the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3-), carbonate (CO32-), and hydroxide (OH-) ions in the water. Alkalinity is expressed as the equivalent amount of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in milligrams per liter (mg/L). Alkalinity is an important parameter for maintaining stable pH levels in aquatic environments, as it acts as a buffer to prevent large changes in pH due to the addition of acids or bases.

While pH and alkalinity are related, they are not the same thing. A solution can have high alkalinity but a low pH, or vice versa. For example, a solution with a high concentration of bicarbonate ions can have high alkalinity, but if it is exposed to an acid, the pH can still drop significantly. Similarly, a solution with a low alkalinity but a high concentration of hydroxide ions (a strong base) can have a high pH.

In natural aquatic systems, pH and alkalinity are often closely linked. In general, surface waters tend to have a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, with alkalinity levels that vary depending on the local geology and the amount of dissolved minerals in the water. In some areas, particularly in regions with limestone or other carbonate rock formations, the alkalinity of the water can be very high. This is because the carbonates in the rock dissolve in the water and increase the concentration of bicarbonate and carbonate ions, which in turn increases the alkalinity.

In summary, pH and alkalinity are both important parameters for understanding water quality. pH measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, while alkalinity measures the water’s ability to resist changes in pH. Both pH and alkalinity can be affected by a wide range of factors, including geology, climate, and human activities such as pollution and land use changes. By monitoring pH and alkalinity levels in natural water systems, researchers and resource managers can better understand the health of these ecosystems and take steps to protect them.

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Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule

Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule Management in Biofloc System

Vannamei shrimp feeding schedule management in the Biofloc System plays a vital role. Vannamei shrimp farming is a short-duration culture as the animals became marketable size within 90 days of culture. This is a highly profitable business due to high demand in domestic as well as international markets and the same way it carries lots of challenges. The culture is simple but not easy.

Whether it’s traditional shrimp farming or Biofloc shrimp farming, the major challenge is to maintain the required water parameters though out the entire culture period. The shrimp feed is one of the key influential factors to the imbalance the water parameters of the shrimp pond. The shrimp feed contains high protein which helps to promote the growth of the animals and the wastage of the shrimp feed in water pollutes the water and the consequence of which animals die.

High protein feed when it remains in the water for a long period of time, slowly it starts decomposing resulting in highly toxic gas formation in the culture water, known as Ammonia. Ammonia is highly dangerous to animals, it can kill all the animals just in a few hours if it’s not get neutralized.

So in shrimp farming, it’s very essential to follow proper Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule Management to avoid feed wastage. There are no certain guidelines for shrimp feeding schedules that can help to stop excess feed wastage.

When you buy shrimp feed from the market, the standard feeding guidelines can be found in the shrimp feed packet. Different shrimp companies have different feeding guidelines but these are the generic ones, which cannot be followed exactly by whatever they have mentioned otherwise you will end up with a big problem.

Shrimp Feed Packet

The guidelines that are mentioned in the shrimp feed packet is only meant for traditional shrimp farming but not for Biofloc Shrimp Farming. Because in traditional shrimp farming the wastage of feed is more that’s the reason the FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) is high i.e. 1.5 to 2. This means on average 1.5kg to 2kg of shrimp feed is needed to grow 1 kg of shrimp.

But in Biofloc Shrimp Farming, the FCR is very low i.e. under 1, which means only 1kg of shrimp feed is needed to grow 1kg of shrimp. Because in the Biofloc System shrimp feeds never get wasted but rather reutilized in a different form, which we called as FLOC.

So if you follow the instructions which are mentioned in the feeding packet in Biofloc System, the feed wastage will be very high and it will be very difficult to manage water parameters.

So in Biofloc System, Vannamei shrimp feeding schedule management is completely different than traditional shrimp farming. In shrimp farming, one must master feeding management to get good results as it’s the key influential factor that has the potential to disturb culture water parameters.

In shrimp farming, the feed demand and supply are calculated based on the shrimp check trays. Shrimp check trays are the best way to monitor and manage the feeding schedule. Let’s say if you are doing shrimp farming in a 1-acre pond, then you should have at least 2 numbers of shrimp check trays to understand the feed demand and supply.

Normally we add 4-5% of the given feed into the check tray and observe it for 1-2 hours to find out the demand for the feed and accordingly we either increase or decrease the amount of feed. So check trays are the best way to manage feeding in shrimp farming.

Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule in Biofloc System

Based on my experience doing shrimp farming in Biofloc System for more than 4 years, I have come up with this Vannamei Feeding Chart for Biofloc System that may help you. I have prepared it for 100,000 shrimps and starting from day one to day 100 how much you need to feed them.

Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule Management

Again this data is also not fixed, you may alter it based on the shrimp check tray management. All the information is written on the above shrimp feeding chart table in very simple and easy way so that anyone can understand it.

  • Stocking Density:              Number of shrimp PL’s stocked
  • Number of Days:               Every 10 days you need to change the feeding pattern
  • Feed Number::                  Shrimp feed has a number, accordingly, you need to feed them
  • Body Weight in Grams:   Need to check the current shrimp body weight
  • Percentage of Feed:          Based on their current  body weight, calculate the total biomass
  • Per Day Feed in KG::        Per day how much feed is supplied in Kilograms
  • Total Feed:                          Total feed consumed every 10 days

Conclusion

It takes some time to understand the Vannamei Shrimp Feeding Schedule and its management in Biofloc System. High protein shrimp feed may hamper the shrimp culture water if its not managed well. The recommendations that are given in the shrimp feed packet are only meant for the traditional shrimp farmers as the feed waste is more but not for the Biofloc Shrimp Farming. So never follow the company-recommended shrimp feed guidelines. I have created the above shrimp feeding chart based on my shrimp farming experience in Biofloc System. Follow this guideline and make the changes based on check tray data.

Thank you so much for your valuable time reading my content, please share it if you really like this content.

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Egg Custard Preparation Process For Shrimp Larvae

How to Prepare Egg Custard for Feeding Shrimp Larvae

Food is the most critical aspect of the breeding process of shrimps and fishes. In the natural breeding process, these animals know where a good amount of natural food will be available accordingly they migrate to those places during the breeding process. Because during the larvae stage these animals are very small and for survival, they need very tiny food which they can consume easily. In natural environments like rivers, streams, or sea those type of food is widely available i.e. phytoplanktons and zooplanktons.

But in the commercial breeding process in hatcheries, we need to prepare or create such type of food which these baby larvae can consume and digest easily. In this blog, I am going to share such type of food which we call “Egg Custard”. This feed can be used in Biofloc System.

Materials Required For Egg Custard Preparation

Custard Egg Feed Ingredients

The following materials are required for preparing Egg Custards;

Appliance Required

Appliance Required Egg Custard Preparation

Amount of Ingredients Required To Make 100 Grams Egg Custard

Here is the amount of ingredients required for preparing 100 grams of custard egg feed for feeding shrimp larvae. Depending upon how much quantity of larvae you have accordingly you can prepare the feed.

  1.      Egg (One)                                                   40 grams
  2.      Mussel/Prawn Meat                                 20 grams
  3.      Wheat Flour                                               15 grams
  4.      Skimmed Milk Powder                            20 grams
  5.      Multi-Vitamin Capsules                          1 gram
  6.      Calcium Phosphorus Suspension          2 ml
  7.      Cod Liver Oil                                              2 ml

Preparation Procedures of 100 grams of Egg Custard

Custard Egg Feeding Preparation Process

Follow the below preparation guidelines as mentioned to get the perfect results.

  1. Step:     Blend 25-30 grams of either Mussel Meat or Prawn Meat in a mixer
  2. Step:     Collect 20 grams of meat in a blender
  3. Step:     Add one whole egg with yolk and stir it thoroughly
  4. Step:     Add 15 grams of wheat flour
  5. Step:     Add 20 grams of milk powder
  6. Step:     Add 1 gram of Vitamin Capsule (soak the capsule in hot water for 5 minutes)
  7. Step:     Add 2 ml of Calcium Phosphorous Suspensions
  8. Step:     Add 2 ml of Cod Liver Oil
  9. Step:     Now mix it thoroughly in a mixer
  10. Step:     Collect the mixture in a steel container
  11. Step:     Put the steel container in the rice cooker containing water and cover it
  12. Step:     Allow it to cook in the rice cooker for 30 minutes until it solidifies into a custard
  13. Step:     Turn off the rice cooker and take out egg custard and cool it for 30 minutes
  14. Step:     Cut the cake into small cubes and store it in a refrigerator at 4 degrees centigrade
  15. Step:     The prepared egg custard can be used for a maximum period of 3 days

How to Feed Egg Custard to Shrimp Larvae

Custard Egg Feeding Process

Now the feed is prepared, it’s time to feed the animals. The custard cubes cannot be fed to the animals directly, they need to be broken down into very tiny chunks so that they can grab and consume them easily. Here are the steps you need to follow for feeding the prepared egg custards to the shrimp larvae.

Step 1:     Take the required amount of egg custard cubes and rub them in a steel or plastic sieve in running tap water along with a 100-micron filter mesh

Step 2:     Collect the fine particles that come from the sieve to filter mesh in a container or beaker

Step 3:     Using a dropper, feed the animals manually by dropping the egg custard particles nearer to them and observe if they are able to consume it. The amount of feed given is decided based on the feed demand.

Step 4:     Remove uneaten feed that is getting settled down in the bottom of the tank to avoid any toxic gas formation

Step 5:     Feed them 4-5 times per day for faster growth

Conclusion

Post shrimp breeding, feeding plays a vital role, so its very essential to understand and adopt the right feeding management for the shrimp larvae. Egg custard feeding is one of the best practices followed by most shrimp and fish hatcheries. While feeding the shrimp larvae you need to monitor closely to check if the given feed is getting consumed and observe the feed demand timelines based upon which you can control the feeding schedule.

Please share your thought on this egg custard preparation process and if you have any brilliant ideas you can also share them in the comment section of this blog.

Thank you so much for spending some of your valuable time reading my content, I hope you like it.

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