Ambak, Mohd Azmi

Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository

Agricultural SciencesThe Performance of Biofilters in a Close-Recirculating System for Fish CultureAml7ak. Mohd AzmlCollege University Science and Technology Malaysia (KUSTEM)Mengabang Telipot21030 KualaTerengganuTerengganu Darul ImanMalaysiaTelephone Number of Corresponding Author: 09-6683308-E-mail IIICorrespondingAuthorambak@kustem.edu.myKey words: biofilters; recirculating system, fish cultureIntroductionIn aquaculture, the source and quality of water is of utmost importance. In urban areas, one solution to lack of rearing space isgrowing fish in a recirculating system. For recycle system, in which reused water must be of an adequate quality to maintainthe culture organisms in a healthy and fast growing condition, it is especially important to remove waste products quickly andefficiently. Various studies have been conducted into the effects of tank hydrodynamics on suspended particle movement, selfcleaning and efficient use of available water (Watten and Beck,1987; Westers, I991; Cripps and Poxton, I992; Yoo et al.,1995),and periodic cleaning (Stabell, 1992). This information, combined with knowledge of the water quality requirements of variousfish species ( Alabaster And Lloyd, 1980; Wickins, 1981; Poxton and Allouse,I982), has led to the development of tank culturedesigns.Filtration, removes both particulate and dissolved materials from the water, including unwanted nutrients, debris, pollutants,etc. Biological filters are often considered to be the heart of a recirculating system, since toxic materials such as ammonia mustbe removed by microorganisms. Biological treatment units employed today are mainly submerged upflow and downflowfilters and/or trickling filters with well-structured substrates as support materials for bacterial growth. In view of the above,recycling technology with sand and trickling filters would be the prior emphasis to culture environment for aquaculture. In theaquaculture system, it is important to draw out the overall system design and specify the various system components andassociated improvements to maintain high density culture and suitable water quality.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted at KUSTEM, K.Tereangganu. The recirculating system is comprised of 9 ( 8 ton) rearing tanks;collector cum sedimentation tanks; secondary sedimentation units; down flow sand filter; trickling filter; denitrification filter;oxygenation unit and reservoir tank.Water samples were collected and analysed/measured on a daily basis from influent and effluent of each unit to assess theperformance such as removal rate of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), total dissolved solids (IDS) and total suspended solids(TSS). Instruments such as DRJ4000 UV-VIS Spectrophotometer ( TAN reading), Conductivity meter (WTW, LF 330 forTDS) were used, and TSS measured by standard laboratory procedure using GF/C 47 mm diam. Filter paper.The system was acclimatized by placing fish ( 50 indiv/m3) in each tank with TAN concentration at 1.04 mg/1. They werereared for 8 weeks to promote growth of nitrifying bacteria. The desired density of fish for experiment was introduced whenTAN concentration was reduced to 0.08 mg/1.Two freshwater species, Oreochromis niloticus and Tor tambroides were chosen for study. They were stocked at 3 differentstocking densities ( 200 to 250 individuals per cubic meter). Fishes were fed 3 times a day with Cargill tilapia grower pelletuntil satiation After a rearing period of 78 days their growth performance in terms of specific growth rate ,SGR, feedconversion ratio, FCR, and protein efficiency ratio, PER, were assessed.Results and DiscussionPerformance of Down Flow Sand Filter and Trickling Filter - The efficiency removal of TAN, IDS and TSS by down flowsand filter were 23%,5% and 53% respectively. The removal of TAN, TDS and TSS from the flow through system contributesto the efficiency of the whole rearing system. The sand filter also removes some bacteria from the water medium. The tricklingfilter was however, more efficient in removing Total Ammonia Nitrogen TAN, with the removal efficiency of 60.6%.Growth performance ofFish - The results are shown in tables 1& 1.As expected, highest fish growth was achieved at treatment 1, i.e. stocking density 200fishlrn3. SGR was 2.92% per day, FCRwas 0.66 and PER 4.78. Survival rate was 85%.ConclusionsResults of study indicates that endangered species like Tor tambroides and commercial species such as Oreochromis niloticuscan be cultured in closed recirculatory system at highdensities, However a modification of the system is required to increasethe performance. This need further studies.321UPM Research Report 1997-2000, Vol II,Section 2-Extended AbstractsBenefits from the studyCan be commercialized for fish productionPatent(s), if applicableTo be patented after second studyStage of Commercialization, if applicableA few entrepreneurs expressed interestProject Publications in Refereed Journals:I.Sent for publication in Aquaculture journalProject Publications in Conference ProceedingsI. Assaduzzaman, M, Ambak,M.A. and Jusoh,A (2003)The role of Sand Filter and Trickling Filter in a close-cycle Aquacultural system toimprove culture environment for Intensive culture. In Proceedings of KUSTEM'S second annual seminar on Sustainability Science andManagement2003,pp381-393Graduate ResearchNameGraduateof Research Topic Field of Expertise Degree Awarded Graduation YearMd Recirculating Aquaculture PhD (on going)Assaduzzaman systemAbol Hasanat Trickling Filter Aquaculture M Se (on going)Performance EngineeringIRPA Project nurnberOl-02-04-0479UPM Research Cluster:AFFProject Leader Prof. Dr Mohd Azmi Arnbak322

The performance of biofilters in a close-recirculating system for fish culture

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The performance of biofilters in a close-recirculating system for fish culture

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