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Tilapia production using biofloc technology, saving water, waste recycling

improves economics

Article · January 2011

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Yoram Avnimelech
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innovation utilize the carbon as a building block for new cell material. How- obic sites in pond bottoms can lead to the production of toxic
ever, since microbial cells are made of protein, they need nitro- reduced compounds and eventually severely hamper fish growth.
gen and take up ammonium from the water. Both experience TSS levels can be controlled by drainage of sludge, proper
and theory demonstrate that when C:N is higher than 15, TAN water mixing and good pond bottom design.
concentrations are kept low.
The second microbial process is nitrification that converts Protein In Bioflocs
the toxic ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. It is important to note The amounts of protein stored in bioflocs are very signifi-
that both processes can take place only if the proper microbial cant. If only 50% of the TAN excreted by tilapia is assimilated
consortia are present in sufficient levels in the water. The het- and available as a fish feed, this process can add an amount of
erotrophic consortia develop rather quickly following the build-up protein equivalent to feeding with 30%-protein pellets at a daily
of organic matter in the water. The nitrifying community devel- ration of 150 g/m3. Moreover, unlike the applied feed, bioflocs
ops slowly and takes about four weeks to reach its capacity, can be utilized by the fish continuously.
unless a proper inoculum is applied. In comparing the feeding behavior of tilapia growing in a
Microbial assimilation of nitrogen is, as mentioned, a high- biofloc pond with tilapia in equivalent control ponds that
capacity mechanism that controls nitrogen and especially TAN lev- received feed twice a day, fish in the control ponds were very
els in water. Microbial protein produced concomitantly can serve as hungry and rushed wildly to the floating feed pellets, while tila-
a high-quality feed source for fish. In biofloc microbial systems, pia in the biofloc ponds ate quietly, showing they were not
where bacterial density can reach 1 billion cells/mL, the bacteria starved before feeding. It may be expected that the semi-contin-
stick together with other organisms and organic particles to form uous feeding available with bioflocs would help smaller fish
bioflocs whose particles range in size from 0.1 to a few millimeters. compete with larger fish for food and thus achieve higher unifor-
Such particles are easily harvested and assimilated by tilapia. mity in size.

Suspended Solids Feeding

These 0.1-ha intensive ponds contain tilapia in a biofloc environment at Pacific Aquaculture in California, USA. Total suspended solids (TSS) or biofloc volume quickly accu- Feeding is an important control in achieving the proper C:N
mulate in ponds when fish biomass is high. The desired micro- ratios that promote the uptake of ammonium from the water. In
bial community and reserves of feed should not be released care- addition, effective feed strategies enable fish to utilize the recy-
lessly, but excessive levels of TSS add to oxygen consumption cled microbial protein, reduce costs and minimize residues.
Tilapia Production Using Biofloc Technology and at very high levels can clog the gills of fish.
In addition, if water is not well mixed or TSS concentrations
There is a need for more research on optimized feed composi-
tion and ration.
Saving Water, Waste Recycling Improves Economics exceed the mixing capacity of the system, solid particles settle down-
ward and can accumulate in anaerobic soil layers or pockets. Anaer-
The recommended C:N ratio can be obtained by feeding
with pellets of low protein content or by augmenting the feed
Biofloc Technology
Dr. Yoram Avnimelech One of the systems that enable intensification at a relatively
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
reasonable investment and operating cost is biofloc technology.
Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Biofloc technology is based upon pond management using
Haifa, Israel 32000 minimal water exchange and subsequent development of dense
[email protected] microbial populations. The microbes are managed through the
adjustment of the carbon:niotrogen (C:N) ratio to control inor-
ganic nitrogen concentrations in the water.
The bacteria that form bioflocs assimilate total ammonia
Summary: nitrogen (TAN), produce microbial proteins and enable recy-
Biofloc systems enable more intensive tilapia produc- cling of unused feed protein. Biofloc systems are widely used for
tion. The fish adapt to the conditions within biofloc shrimp production.
systems and grow well by utilizing the bioflocs as a feed
source. The recycling of feed and minimization of water Tilapia And Bioflocs
exchange are important contributions to the economy Tilapia are ideally adapted to biofloc systems. The filter-feeding
of tilapia production. Understanding the biofloc system, herbivores adapt to the harvest of bioflocs suspended in the water,
monitoring and fast response to negative developments and the strong, stable fish grow and flourish in dense systems.
are essential for successful culture. An essential feature of biofloc tilapia production systems,
especially as compared to shrimp systems, is the very high bio-
mass. In the author’s experience, tilapia biomass can reach 200-
Production of tilapia has risen tremendously in the last few
300 mt/ha, as compared to shrimp biomass of about 20 mt/ha in
decades. At about 3 mmt in 2010, the volume of worldwide tila- well-managed ponds. This difference is a very significant feature
pia production was second only to carps among fish. Current for minimal water exchange. The high fish density, however,
trends indicate a continuous growth of production and expanded generates wastes at high rates.
penetration of tilapia in a variety of markets, from expensive res-
taurants to local households all around the world. TAN Control
Although higher production levels are needed, increased The daily TAN release, if untreated and left in the water, is
aquaculture production is limited globally by the availability of high enough to lead to fish mortality. Two microbial mediated
suitable water and land. The most feasible and environmentally processes act in biofloc systems to control TAN concentrations.
acceptable way to raise aquaculture production is by the use of The first process is the assimilation of TAN by heterotrophic
intensive production systems. bacteria into microbial protein. In systems with higher levels of
available carbon than nitrogen (C:N ratio above 15), bacteria
66 May/June 2011 global aquaculture advocate global aquaculture advocate May/June 2011 67
 innovation
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appropriate transfers.
Proper placement of aerators is very important. Most pond
aeration is deployed to obtain a circular movement of water that
concentrates settled particles as close as possible to the center
drain, usually using paddlewheel aerators. However, there are
International Coalition Breaks
conflicting demands in this matter.
We want to be able to effectively drain excess sludge, yet
keep bioflocs suspended in the water. To prevent overly effective
Cobia Fingerling Production Bottleneck
sedimentation of particles near the center drain, it is advisable to
position an aspirator aerator or airlifts to resuspend particles near
the pond center. By properly adjusting the location of these Michael H. Schwarz, Ph.D.
units, optimal resuspension of the less-dense bioflocs and sedi- Virginia Tech
mention of the heavier particles can be achieved. 102 S. King Street
A very important requirement is to have a sensitive and reli- Hampton, Virginia 23669 USA
able monitoring and backup system. Aeration failure at high fish [email protected]
biomass can be critical if backup is not activated within an hour. Brendan C. Delbos
High stocking density is a typical facet of biofloc systems. Virginia Tech
Monitoring
Although biofloc tilapia ponds are rather simple to operate,
they demand careful monitoring and fast response to any prob- international cobia summit held in the
pellets through the application of carbonaceous material such as
lems detected. Since the ponds are so highly loaded, any fault European Union.
molasses, cassava, wheat or other flours. The first option may
not responded to can become critical. Normal aquaculture moni- Since 2005, this coalition has focused
save labor. However, the author’s facility relies upon the passage
toring is certainly needed. Of special importance are the follow- primarily on the fingerling production bot-
and excretion of the added carbohydrates through the fish to be
ing parameters: tleneck for cobia, which was defined by an
used by the bacteria. This assumption may not hold.
sOxygen. If oxygen is high, you can reduce the number of inability to consistently produce an average
Feed rations can be lower than those used in conventional
applied aerators to save electricity. However, if oxygen lev- survival rate of 25% or greater, and a final
tilapia ponds. With shrimp in tanks, it was found that feed
els are less than 4 mg/L, add aerators. production of 5 fingerlings/L. While every
rations could be reduced 30% lower than the rates used in con-
sTotal ammonia nitrogen. TAN concentrations below 0.5 year since 2005 resulted in improved pro-
ventional systems. It was estimated, but not proven, that feed
mg/L mean the system is working well. You may consider Rotifers are produced in an automated generator comprised of two 500-L culture tanks, duction techniques, protocols, systems and
rations in biofloc tilapia systems can be lowered at least 20%
adding less carbon. If TAN increases, respond quickly with a fluidized-bed biofilter and a protein skimmer. biosecurity measures, this production bot-
from conventional system levels.
carbon supplementation. tleneck persisted until 2009.
Molasses is readily soluble and its addition to ponds is rather
sNitrite. Nitrite can negatively affect tilapia, although its In 2009 and again in 2010 with even
simple. Adding flour demands more effort in dispersal. Using a
effects are limited in salty water. However, an increase in a major bottleneck towards significant better results, this coalition validated
mixer in a container outside the pond to create a suspension,
nitrite can indicate the build-up of anaerobic sites. In the Summary: increases in production. intensive cobia larviculture production sys-
rather than the dry flour that tends to cake in the pond, can
case of an increase of nitrite, carefully check for sludge piles Fingerling production has long Since the 1990s, both academic and tems and protocols that finally broke the
assist the process.
and, if found, change aerator deployment. been a bottleneck in the advance- industrial entities have struggled with fingerling production bottleneck. With
sFloc volume. Determination of floc volume using Imhoff improving the survival rates of cobia fin- these refinements, survival rates of over
Oxygen Management ment of cobia culture. A coalition
gerlings. In the early ’90s, Asia adapted
cones is easy and cheap. Floc volume should be in the 5-50 that integrated the ongoing work 35% from stocking sac fry through wean-
Oxygen consumption in intensive biofloc tilapia culture is
mL/L range. If it is too low, add carbohydrates, and if it is of Virginia Tech with the Inter- extensive production techniques used ing, with an average production of 5.5
rather high due to the respiration of the high fish biomass as
higher than 50, increase sludge removal. national Initiative for Sustainable with other marine species and succeeded fingerlings/L in 25 days were achieved. In
well as the microbial community that metabolizes the organic
and Biosecure Aquafarming has in consistent, low-density production of addition, these were high-health juveniles
residues. Oxygen consumption has been estimated or modeled
validated intensive cobia larviculture cobia fingerlings. This initial success produced in biosecure systems, a require-
by several scientists. enabled further development and expan-
production systems and protocols ment for sustainable industrial expansion
Biofloc tilapia ponds tend to be rather small – 100 to 1,000 sion of cobia growout production tech-
that deliver 35% survival through of intensive cobia growout.
m2 – mostly due to difficulties in thoroughly mixing the water niques in Southeast Asia.
weaning with an average production These new production protocols and
within larger bodies. Most ponds are round or square with Around the turn of the century, sig-
of 5.5 fingerlings/L in 25 days. The procedures represent the combined inputs
rounded corners. The pond floors usually slope toward the center nificant interest in cobia culture expanded and efforts from numerous individuals, aca-
to facilitate concentration and daily removal via a drain. use of high-quality, biosecure live
feeds is critical. A probiotic additive to the Americas. Specifically in North demic institutions and industry partners, all
The range of required aeration is 10 to 20 hp for a pond of America, interest lay in more intensive aligned under the IISBA umbrella.
0.1 ha. However, the exact aeration rate needed for a given pond may further improve physiological
development. and biosecure controlled production of
should be adjusted following the daily determination of oxygen specific pathogen-free fingerlings. Live Feeds Production
levels in the pond, with a normal minimal level of 4 mg Critical to the larviculture production
oxygen/L. One should adjust aerator usage to the size of the fish Cobia Coalition procedures is the use of high-quality,
and pond biomass. Farm operators can usually use lower aeration As with all commercially produced Beginning in 2001, Virginia Tech highly nutritious and biosecure live feeds.
at the start of the production cycle, although it is recommended marine finfish species, a predictable and integrated cobia into its marine finfish To accomplish this, strict protocols have
to utilize the capacity of the pond by stocking large numbers of sustainable supply of high-quality juve- production program, focused at the Vir- been developed regarding the culture,
fingerlings and maintaining a relatively constant biomass by niles is critical for the expansion of com- ginia Seafood Agricultural Research and enrichment, harvest and storage of roti-
mercial production of cobia, Rachycentron Extension Center (VSAREC) in Hamp- fers and Artemia.
It was estimated that feed rations in Aeration is essential, as oxygen consumption in intensive canadum. While great strides have been ton, Virginia, USA. In 2005, Virginia Rotifers are produced in an auto-
biofloc tilapia systems can be lowered biofloc systems is high due to the respiration of the fish made over the last two decades, resulting Tech mariculture programming inte- mated generator comprised of two 500-L
as well as the microbial community that metabolizes their in global cobia production of approxi- grated with the International Initiative culture tanks, a fluidized-bed biofilter
at least 20% from conventional systems organic residues. mately 30,000 mt by 2008, fingerling for Sustainable and Biosecure Aquafarm- and a protein skimmer. The system is
levels. production had already been identified as ing (IISBA), which was formed after an operated with a single 0.1-h.p. magnetic
68 May/June 2011 global aquaculture advocate global aquaculture advocate May/June 2011 69