Filter System Performance in a Tilapia Recirculating System

Abstract

It is known that recirculating aquaculture systems, although has some advantages, production costs resulting from these production systems are quite high and is mainly due to the filtration system of technological water. Tilapia is one of the most important species in world aquaculture, the second production after carp, because of the advantages it has being reared in any production system: ponds, net-pens, cages, raceways, recirculating systems. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a filter system in a tilapia recirculating system. Experiments were conducted during October – December 2011, during which feeding was done only with feed, Nutra category, age-appropriate granulation. Main physical – chemical parameters of technological water were monitored, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrite, ammonia and ammonium, both the water entry in the filter and the exit from the filter. Filtration efficiency varied from 2-3% and up to 50-60%, mainly due to rapid loading of the filter and its need for cleaning.

Keywords

• aquaculture
• filter system
• recirculating system
• tilapia