ARS | Publication request: Design, loading, and water quality in recirculating systems for low salinity finfish species at the USDA /ARS Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Systems facility (Fort Pierce, FL)

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts World Aquaculture Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 28, 2009
Publication Date: March 1, 2010
Citation: Pfeiffer, T.J., Wills, P.S., Riche, M.A. 2010. Design, loading, and water quality in recirculating systems for low salinity finfish species at the USDA /ARS Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Systems facility (Fort Pierce, FL) [abstract]. Book of Abstracts World Aquaculture Society. p.777.

Technical Abstract: The USDA ARS Sustainable Marine Aquaculture System Facility was established by the USDA ARS in collaboration with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute / Florida Atlantic University to improve the efficiency and sustainability of inland warmwater marine fish culture in recirculating aquaculture systems. The model species of the project is the Florida pompano and an integrated research approach is utilized that focuses on the engineering, nutrition, production, and larviculture aspects of this species to successfully assure the objectives of the project. The water treatment and recirculating aquaculture systems used for juvenile and production studies of the project include: (1) the incoming saltwater and freshwater primary treatment system and 10 m3 storage capacity; (2) the 10 tank (1 m3 volume each) low-head fingerling production system design that utilizes a 0.7 m3 polygeyser and low-space moving bed bioreactor for solids removal and nitrification; (3) the 9-tank (1 m3 volume each) hybrid low-head fingerling production unit that utilizes Mazzei (c) venture air injection foam fractionation, paired tank moving bed torrus filters (0.11 m3 each), and microscreen rotary drum filtration (40 micrometer); (4) a 43 m3 low-head production system with four replicated systems each with 4 tanks (7.8 m3), a microscreen rotary drum filter (40 micrometer) for primary solids removal, 0.28 m3 paired tank static filters for additional solids and biofiltration, a 3.5 m3 long-flow pathway moving bed biofilter, in-tank submerged ultra-fine bubble diffusers for supplemental oxygenation, and an 8-bulb, 1200 watt UV sterilizer for microorganism control and; (5) a 45 m3 system with four replicated systems of 4 tanks each (7.8 m3), microscreen rotary drum filtration (40 micrometer), two propeller-wash floating bead filters (0.7 m3 each), cone for oxygen supplementation, degassing towers, and similar UV sterilizers. Additional information regarding water usage, electrical consumption, filter nitrification rates, and general system water quality, stocking densities and capacities is presented.