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Different aquaculture systems suit different needs. Pond and cage systems are suitable for small and large farms looking to supplement their income, while recirculating aquaculture systems are best for large-scale production looking to grow fish year-round. Water quality is critical in all systems.
Choosing the best aquaculture system for your needs depends on what you hope to get out of your system. Pond and cage systems are suitable for small and large farms looking to supplement their income. A large scale production looking to grow fish year round would benefit from a recirculating aquaculture system.
An aquaculture system is a technique for raising fish. Aquaculture has been around for thousands of years and is used all over the world. For much of its history, aquaculture was limited to the pond system, which allows fish to grow in small artificial or natural ponds. This system can be done on a small scale, where fingerlings are added and mature fish are removed on an ongoing basis. While there is no large harvest in this type of system, small numbers of fish can be harvested throughout the year, and this is an excellent system for a family looking to supplement their diet.
A large-scale pond aquaculture system is an option for farmers looking to add fish to an already established farm. You can use small natural ponds or create ponds. This is a relatively inexpensive type of system to boot, although it requires a large amount of land.
In pond systems, the water should be monitored daily for temperature and dissolved oxygen level. An aeration system can be used to add oxygen to a pond. Potential hydrogen (pH) and ammonia levels should also be checked weekly, and ponds should be drained every year or two to remove organic debris.
Cage farming is a good choice for a farmer looking for additional seasonal income, and maintenance is easy, provided there is ready access to an existing body of water. In the caged aquaculture system, cages are floated in lakes and stocked with fingerling fish. The bottom of the cage should rest at least 2 feet (2 m) above the lake bed, although deeper water provides better circulation.
Although lake water circulates through the cages, oxygen levels still need to be checked daily and caged fish benefit from an aerator. Algae and other debris should be cleaned out periodically and cages should be checked regularly to make sure they are in good repair. Wildlife can also be a problem in cage systems, so cages will need to be protected from birds or mammals that might try to eat the fish.
For an advanced farmer who wishes to grow fish year-round, an indoor or outdoor recirculating aquaculture system can be used. This system is by far the most technically advanced and is quite expensive to start up, but it produces a large amount of fish and gives farmers control over all aspects of the farming process. In a recirculating system, water quality is critical. The water must be cleaned of solid waste by the use of a settling tank, drum filter or other filtering device. Fish also produce liquid waste which must be removed from the system through the use of a biofilter.
The water has to move continuously in this type of aquaculture system and back-up systems are absolutely necessary because fish can start dying after as little as 30 minutes in standing water. All aspects of water quality should be checked daily and most systems also require water to be added due to evaporative loss. The fish in this system are easy to harvest and are produced year round, making it economical over time.
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