THE PROBLEMS FACING WATER QUALITY IN AQUACULTURE

Intensive Aquaculture produces a series of problems that need to be carefully managed to be able to achieve a successful long lasting operation.

The problems are:

• Remediates White Spot Syndrome “WSS” and many pathogens in the aquaculture industry WSS is reported to have rapid mortality rates of up to 80% within 3 to 10 days.
• Dissolved Oxygen can affect the pH. and Alkalinity, depleted oxygen will cause negative bacterial activity
• Relation between NH₃, NOx, N₂, P and the BOD
• Taking care of the Phytoplankton (Phytoplankton is desirable)
• Water turbidity (it is desirable to maintain a degree of turbidity in the water)
• Mineralization and degradation of the organic material especially waste which mineralizes aerobic nutrients, which are responsible for the accumulation of CO₂ nitrates, (unless they attach themselves to simple organisms like Phytoplankton) or complex organisms that will result in a solution such as phosphates
• Elimination of nutrients to avoid effluents with high level of N and P
• Algae growth and algae’s mucus control
• Formation of biofilm in the ponds
• Keeping all of the above in balance and harmony

ERGOFITO AQUACULTURE APPLICATION:

The first step in using Aquafito culture to decompose fish excrements and nutrients is to calculate the quantum required based on the BOD.

As a general rule, the production of 1 Kg of fish will produce 1 Kg of waste.

The important waste parameters are:

• Ammonia-N
• Nitrite-N
• Phosphate-P
• Suspended Solids
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

COD is directly proportional to the aeration system installed. It is important to note that Ergofito H²O is composed of aerobic bacteria and will require a minimum oxygen level to live.

The remainder can be managed by the application of Ergofito H²O culture.

BOD is generally 7,5% of the solids.

Ergofito H₂O culture facts:

• Applying Ergofito H₂O will decompose excrements and nutrients residues alike in the natural manner.
• Ergofito H₂O does so, by eliminating the causes, which alters water quality.
• Oxygen is used by the bacteria in Ergofito H₂O to decompose the excrements and food residues. Levels of Oxygen in the water need to be monitored (in mg/L). This is important in the event of excess of nutrients in the water, thus reducing oxygen levels for the fish.
• Ergofito H₂O helps maintaining the correct pH at optimal level.
• Ergofito H₂O bacteria transforms Ammonia and Nitrates into proteins which forms into mud flakes, thus removing same from the fish (the major threat for fish are Ammonia and Nitrates) Phosphorus end up in the mud and the BOD is rapidly reduced.
• Ergofito H₂O has no effect on Phytoplankton
• Slime, biofilm and mucus are eliminated with the use of Ergofito H₂O

Filtering & aquatic plants:

Obviously water management is a combination of the filter, beneficial bacterial activity (Ergofito H²O) and if possible the use of aquatic plants to absorb the N and P from the effluent.

Allowing floating plants (usually used in Aquaculture ponds) like Lemna Minor and Acquariofilia Consapevole, will reduce water turbidity, absorb all nutrients and create suffi-cient shade to curtail photosynthesis for algae growth. Ergofito H²O converts all excrements and nutrients residues in bottom mud, thus creating an active mud filter. The filter will act as a percolator and will ensure that no solids return to the pond.

The above combination calls for a simple and inexpensive percolator type filter. Water will never need to be replaced, only to top up the evaporation losse

For full description and application see brochures below.