Comparative analysis of flow patterns in aquaculture rectangular tanks with different water inlet characteristics

The objective of the work is to improve the design rules of rectangular aquaculture tanks in order to achieve better culture conditions and improve water use efficiency. Particle tracking velocimetry techniques (PTV) are used to evaluate the flow pattern in the tanks. PTV is a non-intrusive experimental method for investigating fluid flows using tracer particles and measuring a full velocity field in a slice of flow. It is useful for analysing the effect of tank geometries and water inlet and outlet emplacements. Different water entry configurations were compared, including single and multiple waterfalls and centred and tangential submerged entries.

The appearance of dead volumes is especially important in configurations with a single entry. Configuration with a single waterfall entry shows a zone of intense mixing around the inlet occupying a semicircular area with a radius around 2.5 times the water depth. A centred submerged entry generates a poor mixing of entering and remaining water, promoting the existence of short-circuiting streams. When multiple waterfalls are used, the distance between them is shown to have a strong influence on the uniformity of the velocity field, increasing noticeably when the distance between inlets is reduced from 3.8 to 2.5 times the water depth. The average velocities in configurations with multiple waterfalls are very low outside the entrance area, facilitating the sedimentation of biosolids (faeces and non-ingested feed) on the tank bottom. The horizontal tangential inlet allows the achievement of higher and more uniform velocities in the tank, making it easy to prevent the sedimentation of biosolids.     

Water velocity in commercial RAS culture tanks for Atlantic salmon smolt production

An optimal flow domain in culture tanks is vital for fish growth and welfare. This paper presents empirical data on rotational velocity and water quality in circular and octagonal tanks at two large commercial smolt production sites, with an approximate production rate of 1000 and 1300 ton smolt/yr, respectively. When fish were present, fish density in the two circular tanks under study at Site 1 were 35 and 48 kg/m³, and that in four octagonal tanks at Site 2 were 54, 74, 58 and 64 kg/m³, respectively. The objective of the study was twofold. First, the effect of biomass on the velocity distribution was examined, which was accomplished by repeating the measurements in empty tanks under same flow conditions. Second, the effect of operating conditions on the water quality was studied by collecting and analysing the water samples at the tank’s inlet and outlet. All tanks exhibited a relatively uniform water velocity field in the vertical water column at each radial location sampled. When fish were present, maximum (40 cm/s) and minimum (25–26 cm/s) water rotational velocities were quite similar in all tanks sampled, and close to optimum swimming speeds, recommended for Atlantic salmon-smolt, i.e., 1–1.5 body lengths per second. The fish were found to decrease water velocity by 25% compared to the tank operated without fish. Flow pattern was largely affected by the presence of fish, compared to the empty tanks. Inference reveals that the fish swimming in the tanks is a major source of turbulence, and nonlinearity. Facility operators and culture tank designers were able to optimize flow inlet conditions to achieve appropriate tank rotational velocities despite a wide range of culture tank sizes, HRT’s, and outlet structure locations. In addition, the dissolved oxygen profile was also collected along the diametrical plane through the octagonal tank’s centre, which exhibits a close correlation between the velocity and oxygen measurements. All tanks were operated under rather intensive conditions with an oxygen demand across the tank (inlet minus outlet) of 7.4–10.4 mg/L. Estimates of the oxygen respiration rate in the tank appears to double as the TSS concentration measured in the tank increases from 3.0 mg/L (0.3 kg O₂/kg feed) up to 10–12 mg/L (0.7 kg O₂/kg feed). Improving suspended solids control in such systems may thus dramatically reduce the oxygen consumption and CO₂ production.     

Performance of single-drain and dual-drain tanks in terms of water velocity profile and solids flushing for in vivo digestibility studies in juvenile shrimp

In vivo digestibility determination in shrimp is a challenge because these animals are coprophagous, benthic and slow feeders and the small amount of feces that they produce is difficult to collect. The objective of this study was to evaluate an efficient tank design for the purpose of studying shrimp digestibility. Different tank designs were evaluated considering drain system (dual-drain and single-drain), water inlet flow rate (8, 12, and 16 L min⁻¹) and bottom drain diameter (6, 13, 19, 25 and 50 mm) and their effects on tank hydraulics, water velocity and solids flushing. A circular and slightly conical 500 L tank was adapted with a clarifier for the two dual-drain designs (Cornell-type and central-type) and settling columns for the two single-drain designs (Guelph-F and Guelph-L). Results showed that: (1) water rotational velocity profile was more homogeneous in tanks with larger bottom drain outlets, and water velocity increased with water inlet flow rate from almost zero up to 14.5 ± 0.7 cm s⁻¹; (2) solids flushing, measured as the percentage of feed pellets retained at both the bottom drain and in the settling devices, was positively correlated with the surface loading rate (L min⁻¹ flow per m²) and was more effective at the Guelph-L design fitted with a 150 mm diameter settling column. In this system 100% of the solids were removed at the inflow rate of 16 L min⁻¹. It can be concluded that among the systems evaluated, the Guelph-L at an inflow-rate of 12 L min⁻¹ was most efficient for both solids removal and water velocity profile and thus seemed more suitable for shrimp digestibility studies in high performance conditions. Technologies involving hydrodynamic must be intensively applied to solids removal for aquatic species production as well as research purposes like digestibility, which is highlighted in this study.     

鱼类增殖放流站亲鱼池数值模拟研究

增殖放流是目前普遍采用的减缓水利水电工程对鱼类影响的措施之一。亲鱼培育是增殖放流的关键环节,亲鱼培育池是增殖放流站中的关键设施。鱼池不同流速流场区域的形成与亲鱼池的结构型式、工艺尺寸、进出水流量等多种因素有关,特别是针对国内山区急流河段水电工程鱼类增殖放流站亲鱼池的数值模拟研究还处于空白。采用计算流体力学(CFD)方法对亲鱼培育池流场进行了模拟,从亲鱼适宜流速区间最大化的角度,通过标准k-ε模型对最常用圆形和矩形两种不同结构型式的鱼池进行三维建模,分析比较了不同结构尺寸圆形池与矩形池的水力学条件,建议优先采用圆形池作为亲鱼培育池的型式,最适宜径深比为6∶1～3∶1;场地紧张而采用矩形池时,适宜长宽比为4∶1～2∶1。除流场外,温度、溶氧、排污分布等其他环境因子对鱼类繁殖也有一定的影响。对于特定鱼类,应该根据其生物学特性,适时调整鱼池的流速,满足相关需求。研究结果丰富了国内鱼类增殖放流站亲鱼池结构设计内容,推荐的亲鱼池结构型式可为鱼类增殖放流站设计提供参考。     

基于流态的方形圆弧角养殖池进水系统优化数值研究

为研究进水系统优化对方形圆弧角养殖池内流场特性的影响,实验运用计算流体动力学仿真技术(CFD)构建方形圆弧角养殖池的三维数值湍流模型,单管进水系统设置在养殖池弧壁的中间位置(以下称弧壁单管),并主要对不同进径比(参数C/B,射流管中心位置到养殖池壁的水平距离C与养殖池短边边长B之比)和不同射流角度对养殖池系统内的流场特性开展研究。结果显示,不同进径比条件下,随射流角度增加养殖池水体平均速度均呈现先增大后减小的趋势,且最优射流角度不同。进径比为0.01且射流角度为45°时,养殖池内部流场平均流速最高。进径比为0.03时,最优射流角度为30°。当C/B=0.05～0.13时且射流角度为25°时,水体平均速度最高且流场均匀性较好。进径比C/B=0.07～0.09、射流角度为25°时,养殖池内部流态总体上优于其他工况。研究表明,养殖池流场特性与进水系统进径比和射流角度密切相关。研究结果可为工厂化循环水养殖进水系统设计和优化养殖池系统的流场特性提供理论依据。     

进径比对矩形圆弧角养殖池水动力特性影响

为研究单管入流模式下,进径比(参数C/B,C为射流孔位置到养殖池壁的水平距离,B为养殖池短边边长)对单通道矩形圆弧角养殖池系统水动力特性的影响,实验运用计算流体动力学仿真技术构建单通道矩形圆弧角养殖池三维数值计算模型,应用平均流速、阻力系数和速度分布均匀系数等流体动力学特征量分析养殖池内(尤其是池底)的流场形态,并修正能量有效利用系数以评估养殖池系统的能量有效利用率。结果显示,将进径比参数C/B从0.00增大到0.05可有效改善养殖池内流场特性,进径比参数C/B设置在0.02～0.04之间有利于单通道矩形圆弧角养殖池系统获得最佳的流场条件。研究表明,进径比参数的较小优化可显著提高养殖池内平均流速与能量有效利用率,利于形成均匀稳定的流场。     

Undulated flooring in the rearing tank decreases hypermelanosis in Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis>

In the aquaculture of the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, hypermelanosis, a malpigmentation condition in which the scales of a significant area on the blind side express the characteristics of those on the ocular side, remains a major concern. Since introducing sand into the rearing tank effectively suppresses hypermelanosis, the inhibitory effects of various characteristics of the surface of the tank floor were investigated. Although an inhibitory effect was observed in both tanks with a sand-image floor and a sand-pasted floor, the strongest effect was found in tanks with a dimpled floor. In addition, covering the inner surface of the tank with net also inhibited hypermelanosis. Using a commercially available corrugated plate, the inhibition of hypermelanosis was confirmed with a noted increase in this effect when combined with light coloration. Juveniles tended to situate themselves in the valley portions of the corrugated plate, suggesting that floor contact with the blind side may contribute to hypermelanosis inhibition. Further observations on the floor contact area with various floor configurations suggested that hypermelanosis is locally suppressed in the areas with floor contact. Therefore, suppression by an undulated (both dimpled and corrugated) floor is likely due to an increase in floor contact area with the blind side.     

Influence of California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) on the vertical distribution of dissolved oxygen in a raceway and a circular tank at two depths

The design and operation of aquaculture tanks should minimize stagnant areas especially in the immediate vicinity of the fish. In tanks with pelagic fish, mixing caused by the water flow and by fish swimming is sufficient to maintain dissolved oxygen and metabolite concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the fish that are similar to those in the main water body. Given the behavior of sedentary benthic species, such as the California halibut (Paralichthys californicus), and their tendency to remain motionless on the bottom of aquaculture tanks, often in layers that are several fish deep, water quality may stratify with the worse conditions occurring in the area where they fish are lying. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence that California halibut (450 g average weight) may have on the vertical profile of oxygen concentration in a raceway (239 cm long, 28 cm wide) and a circular tank (92 cm diameter) operated at two water depths (10 and 20 cm). Oxygen was measured at each centimeter of the vertical profile both in an area with fish and without fish to assess their influence.

Results showed a lower oxygen concentration in the near-bottom region of the raceway and circular tanks. The phenomenon was most pronounced in the raceway operated at a 20 cm depth, but was also observed in the circular tank operated at 20 cm and in the raceway at 10 cm.

Measurements were also taken in samples collected just in front of or directly from a fish's mouth. A zone of depressed oxygen concentration in the immediate vicinity of the fish was documented, with oxygen concentrations as low as 50% of the measured tank effluent concentration. The magnitude of the depression was greater in raceways than in circular tanks and in 20 cm water depth than in 10 cm depth. The fish remained sedentary in these zones of depressed oxygen concentration for extended periods of time and frequently exhibited hyperventilation. The oxygen concentrations in the vicinity of the fish were consistently lower than the concentrations measured in the tank effluent. Therefore, effluent measurements did not provide an accurate representation of conditions to which the fish were exposed.     

工厂化对虾养殖池管式射流集污水力特性

工厂化养殖池内水体的流场分布特性直接决定了其对残饵、粪便等的排污性能。本实验研究了管式射流驱动模式下,射流角度与射流流速对养殖池内水体流场与污物聚集特性的影响。养殖池流场特性采用点式流速仪进行布点测量,利用MATLAB软件对流场特性进行分析。采用相机采集的养殖池集污效果图像,并利用Photoshop软件与自行开发的不规则图形面积分析软件对图像进行分析。研究表明,流速从池心向外呈"V"型变化,在射流角度固定的情况下,射流速度越大,池心低流速区域越小,污物向池心的聚集效果越好;在流速固定的情况下,存在一个最佳的射流角度,本实验在24 cm/s流速条件下,射流角度为40°时,池内污物聚集效果最优。结论认为在保证养殖对象生长的前提下,可尽量提高射流流速;在24 cm/s流速条件下,最佳射流角度在40°左右。本研究成果可为工厂化养鱼池、养虾池等管式射流水力驱动系统的优化设计提供参考依据。     

两种双通道圆形养殖池水动力特性的数值模拟与研究

为给养殖池的池型选择与设计提供理论依据,在相同的池体尺寸、进水速度和池底出水比例条件下,针对Cornell和Waterline两种经典双通道圆形养殖池,对其速度流场进行了计算流体动力学(CFD)仿真分析。仿真应用Ansys 15.0软件中的Fluent模块,采用RNG k-ε湍流模型对两种池型的内部速度流场进行了数值模拟,分析其流场特性并进行对比。结果显示:两种池型的水流速度向池中心方向在很短距离内随着径向距离的减少而急速增大,当达到某一径向距离时,速度达到最大值,然后速度随着径向距离的减小而减小,在池子中心轴线或附近处速度降到最小;在纵向上,与池心相同水平距离处的水体流转速度则随着高度增加而减小;在池底出水分流比小于10%时,Cornell池池底自清洁能力、池子整体流场均匀性均比Waterline池差。仿真结果从理论上验证了两种池型底流比例的经验设计值在10%以上。     

Controlled hatchery production of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): an investigation of tank design and water flow rate appropriate for Clarias gariepinus in hatcheries

Circular tanks are appropriate for Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) culture. Wide/shallow tanks (with a diameter to depth ration of about 10) are preferable to narrow/deeper tanks. The optimal flow rate for larvae will be one which provides sufficient oxygen yet does not generate a current velocity fast enough to cause them to swim against it. However, current velocity, for a given type and orientation of inflow, will depend particularly upon tank diameter to depth ratio and flow rate and will be related to position within the tank. Therefore for a given circular tank design a theoretical maximum flow rate and concomitant biomass can be estimated for a given mean fish size. Once airbreathing begins the optimal flow rate for fry is simply that which does not elicit swimming.     

Computational fluid dynamics characterization of a novel mixed cell raceway design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed on a new type of mixed cell raceway (MCR) that incorporates longitudinal plug flow using inlet and outlet weirs for the primary fraction of the total flow. As opposed to conventional MCR’s wherein vortices are entirely characterized by the boundary conditions at inlet nozzles and outlet center drains in the center of each cell, the new MCR design can develop a wider variety of fluid behaviors due to the additional boundary conditions at the inlet and outlet walls where the weirs are placed. In this study, we investigated how the primary longitudinal flow would affect vortex formations in the cells by designing three different MCR models and simulating three major cases for each model. Through this process, performances of two numerical CFD models (transition k-kl-ω vs. k-ε) were compared, along with two vortex quantification methods (Q-criterion vs. a proposed method). We found that the k-kl-ω CFD model more accurately predicted vortex formation than the k-ε model. The three MCR models differed only by weir geometry or drain size, in order to see their individual influence on cell vortex formation. Each case had its own unique weir flow rate and center drain loading rate values that combined to a total flow rate resulting in 15-min hydraulic retention time (HRT) for the MCR. The ratio of (expressed as percentage) of center drain loading rate to total flow rate (R = 7.5%, 12.5%, and 20.1%.) was defined to establish a relationship between R and vortex strength or size. Simulations demonstrated that inlet weir aspect ratio impacted cell vortex formation and strength. Unlike weir geometry effects, the drain size had non-significant impacts on fluid behavior other than the velocity very near the drains. While R did have positive correlations with vortex strength, vortex size, and self-cleaning performance, an R of 20.1% was sufficient to create uninterrupted vortex formations. Too low of a center drain rate or R value can result in lack of any meaningful cell vortex formation which then obviates any self-cleaning action in an MCR. Our key finding through extensive computational analysis was that an R value of 20% was required in order to maintain effective vortex formation. Expressed more explicitly, this can be described as maintaining a center drain loading rate of 0.010094 m³/s per cell (160 gpm), which correspond to unit loading rates of 16.3 lpm/m² per cell (0.40 gpm/ft² per cell).     

The effects of tank system,water velocity and water movement on survival,somatic and gonad growth of juvenile and adult green sea urchin,Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

The effects of water velocity and tipping frequency (water movement) on survival, somatic and gonad growth of juvenile and adult green sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis were investigated. Juvenile and adult urchins were held in ‘laminar’ or ‘tipper’ tanks. Both were supplied with three inlet water flows (1.5, 3.0 and 7.5 L min^?1) which converted to water velocities of 0.28, 0.57 and 1.43 cm s^?1 in the ‘laminar’ tanks and tipping frequencies of 30, 10 and 5 s in the ‘tipper’ tanks. Juvenile sea urchins had significantly lower mortality and greater somatic growth when held in ‘laminar’ flow tanks compared with ‘tipper’ tanks. The varying water velocities tested in the ‘laminar’ flow treatment had no effect on the growth of juvenile sea urchins. The juvenile sea urchins in the ‘tipping’ treatment held at high tipping frequency had significantly slower growth than those in the medium and low tipping frequency treatments. There were no differences in mortality or gonad growth in the adult sea urchins regardless of treatment. The ‘laminar’ flow tanks retained significantly more organic material compared with the ‘tipper’ tanks. The authors discuss the effects of water velocity and tipping frequencies in system design for aquaculture of sea urchins.     

Survey of large circular and octagonal tanks operated at Norwegian commercial smolt and post-smolt sites

A survey was conducted to determine the geometry, operating parameters, and other key features of large circular or octagonal culture tanks used to produce Atlantic salmon smolt and post-smolt at six major Norwegian Atlantic salmon production companies. A total of 55 large tanks were reported at seven land-based hatchery locations, i.e., averaging 7.9 (range of 4–12) large tanks per land-based site. In addition, one 21,000 m³ floating fiberglass tank in sea was reported. Culture volume ranged from 500 to 1300 m³ for each land-based tank. Most tanks were circular, but one site used octagonal tanks. Land-based tank diameters ranged from 14.5 to 20 m diameter, whereas the floating tank was 40 m diameter. Maximum tank depths ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 m at land-based facilities, which produced diameter-to-average-depth ratios of 3.6:1 to 5.5:1 m:m. The floating tank was much deeper at 20 m, with a diameter-to-average-depth ratio of only 2.4:1 m:m. All land-based tanks had floors sloping at 4.0–6.5% toward the tank center and various pipe configurations that penetrated the culture tank water volume at tank center. These pipes and sloping floors were used to reduce labor when removing dead fish and harvesting fish.Maximum flow ranged from 3 to 19 m³/min per land-based tank, with 400 m³/min at the floating tank, but tank flow was adjustable at most facilities. Land-based tanks were flushed at a mean hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 35–170 min. Maximum feed load on each land-based tank ranged from 525 to 850 kg/day, but the floating tank reached 3700 kg/day. Almost half of the large tanks reported in this survey were installed or renovated since 2013, including the three tank systems with the highest flow rate per tank (greater than 17.6 m³/min). These more recent tanks were operated at more rapid tank HRT’s, i.e., from 34.8 to 52.5 min, than the 67–170 min HRT typical of the large tanks built before 2013. In addition, flow per unit of feed load in land-based tanks that began operating before 2010 were lower (19–30 m³ flow/kg feed) than in tanks that began operating later (33–40 m³ flow/kg feed). In comparison, the floating tank operates at a maximum daily tank flow to feed load of 160 m³ flow/kg feed, which is the least intensive of all tanks surveyed. Survey results suggest that the recently built tanks have been designed to operate at a reduced metabolic loading per unit of flow, a tendency that would improve water quality throughout the culture tank, all else equal. This trend is possible due to the ever increasing application of water recirculating systems.     

Effects of Tank Wall Color and Up-welling Water Flow on Growth and Survival of Eurasian Perch Larvae (Perca fluviatilis)

The influence of tank wall color and up‐welling water flow on growth and survival of Eurasian perch larvae (Perca fluviatilis) was tested in an intensive culture system. Newly hatched larvae were fed Artemia nauplii, later combined with dry feed, and reared for 5 wk in either black tanks with up‐welling water flow or in gray tanks with or without up‐welling water flow. The perch larvae grew significantly faster in black tanks than in gray tanks regardless of water flow. Two weeks after hatching, a significantly higher mean weight was shown in larvae reared in black tanks compared to larvae reared in gray tanks with up‐welling water flow, and after 4 wk, the mean weight was significantly higher than in both of the other treatments. The difference in growth was further enhanced during the last week of the experiment, and the final mean weights were 51.1 ± 1.9 mg in black tanks with up‐welling water flow, 23.8 ± 2.1 mg in gray tanks with up‐welling water flow, and 23.7 ± 2.2 mg in gray tanks without up‐welling water flow. The cumulative mortality at the end of the experiment averaged 75% in all treatment groups. Taken together, the enhanced growth of Eurasian perch larvae in black tanks could be explained by high prey contrast and increased prey consumption. Up‐welling water flow had no impact on growth and survival of the perch larvae in gray tanks, indicating that the availability and consumption of the prey were independent of water movement.     

Improvement of the survival in the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus larvae by optimizing aeration and water inlet in the mass-scale rearing tank

The water flow in larval rearing tanks has been indicated to cause mass mortality of the seven-band grouper Epinephelus septemfasciatus larvae. Therefore, a new aerating method was tested in an actual scale intensive rearing tank (8.0 m in diameter, 1.87 m of water depth, 100 m³ of volume), in which an aerator was positioned at the center of the rearing tank surrounding cylindrical drain (1.2 m in diameter) to generate the flow field, and seven larval rearing trials were performed. The survival rate with the former aeration methods were compared, in which several aerators were located in the rearing tank. The survival rate at 10 days after hatching with the new aeration method (61.5±5.1%, n=7) was approximately three times higher than the former methods (21.2±13.7%, n=6). The flow environment of rearing tanks was also examined by quantifying the flow field, and the relationship between the flow field in the rearing tank, behavior of larvae and survival discussed. It was confirmed that the vertical circulating flow was observed in rearing tanks, and determined effectively the survival and the behavior of grouper larvae in patchiness.     

Investigation in Reuse of Decommissioned Wastewater Facility and Reclaimed Water for Culturing Paddlefish Fingerlings

Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that has received at least secondary treatment and basic disinfection and is reused for beneficial purposes. The goal of this study was to develop a safe and reliable sustainable aquaculture system for producing stocker fish using reclaimed water in decommissioned wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in Kentucky. The specific objectives were (1) to monitor paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, growth and survival and water quality in experimental tanks with static or flow‐through reclaimed water, (2) to evaluate the use of decommissioned tanks for large‐scale production of phase II paddlefish, and (3) to biomonitor paddlefish grown in reclaimed water for contaminants. Phase I paddlefish (11 ± 2.6 g) were produced by feeding live Daphnia collected daily from the clarifier tanks with hand‐pulled nets for 27 d. Phase II paddlefish were produced in four replicated 5600‐L experimental tanks with static and flow‐through reclaimed water. Paddlefish from the flow‐through system were significantly larger (199.2 ± 61 g) and had better feed conversion ratios (2.8 ± 2.1) than those from the static system (135.5 ± 51 g; 4.1 ± 1.6). For the large‐scale trial, two 1125 m³ decommissioned digester tanks were stocked with 50,000 paddlefish larvae per tank. One tank was treated as a flow‐through system with reclaimed water flowing at a rate of 280 L/min, while the other tank was treated as a static system where water was just added to replace that lost by evaporation. Survival rate (40%) and weight (194.1 ± 25.4 g) from the flow‐through system were significantly different from those of the static system (31%; 147.1 ± 6.5 g). This difference could be linked to better water quality in the flow‐through systems. Analyses for 38 contaminants were conducted on Daphnia, prepared diets, and paddlefish. All the concentration levels detected were at levels well below the FDA action limits and their permissible limits in edible food. The result from this project showed that paddlefish can be successfully produced in large-scale as stocker fish using reclaimed water in decommissioned tanks at WWTP.     

A method for the quantification and optimization of hydrodynamics in culture tanks

A method was developed to quantify hydrodynamic mixing parameters, and to optimize the physical environmental conditions, in culture tanks. Improved mixing will result in better tank water quality, more efficient use of available volume by the culture animals (leading to optimal stocking densities and better feed management) and possibly reduced water pumping requirements. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of a range of flow rates, residence times, water depths and stocking densities on hydrodynamics in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus (L.)) tanks. Decreases in water depth resulted in significant improvements in mixing and the efficiency with which the water was used, as indicated by reductions in dead volumes. A depth of less than 9.4 cm at a flow rate of 2 l min^–1 was expected to minimize dead volumes in the tank. This indicated that mixing was better in shallower tanks. Within the range 0–13 l min^–1, increased flow rate improved mixing at a constant depth of 9 cm (and water volume of 18.54 l) though increased flow rates greater than about 2.5 l min^–1 produced only small improvements in mixing. Within the range 0–50 fish per tank (equivalent to a mean stocking density of 0–1.84 kg m^–2), stocking density did not significantly influence mixing in tanks with a depth of 9 cm and flow rate of 2 l min^–1. Such depth reductions, for demersal species, may be a useful means to either decrease water use without reducing residence time, or alternatively to increase the flushing rate without increasing water use, at a given stocking density. The large changes in the efficiency with which the tanks were used, which were achieved with ease, indicates that attention to water mixing can give positive benefits to a wide range of land-based farm operators. Care must be taken when adjusting tank hydrodynamics, that water quality is maintained and that biological parameters such as stress levels, sunlight effects and feed management are optimal.     

Nutrient budgets in tanks with different stocking densities of hybrid tilapia

Nitrogen and phosphorus budgets were estimated in 12 indoor fiberglass tanks stocked with hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×O. aureus) at densities of 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg and 15 kg/m³ and reared for 14 days. Each density was replicated three times, and the experiment was repeated five times. The water in each tank was changed daily. Fish were fed a 34% protein tilapia feed to satiation twice daily. Feed consumption rate significantly decreased (P<0.05) with increasing density, but the FCR did not vary significantly (P>0.05) among the treatments. The production of one kilogram of fish required 2.0–2.2 kg of feed in different stocking density treatments, while 87.1–95.6 g nitrogen and 12.6–13.8 g phosphorus were released into the water, as metabolic waste. Of the feed input, 21.4% of the nitrogen and 18.8% of the phosphorus were incorporated in the fish harvested.     

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTENSIVE SHRIMP CULTURE SYSTEM IN KUWAIT1

Development of an intensive culture system is presently being conducted in Kuwait as a means of farming penaeid shrimp in arid lands. Efficiency of commercial-scale hatchery production of Penaeus semisulcatus and P. japonicus showed significant improvement in 1981 over previous years. Three one-month hatchery rearing cycles in three 15 m³ concrete tanks yielded a total of 9.1 million post-larval shrimp with an average density of 160 PL/liter being obtained for one of these trials. Four other trials were discontinued due to low spawning rates and disease. Installation of a heat exchange system made it possible to begin larviculture in February, two months earlier than in previous years. Research in nursery and grow-out phases of intensive shrimp culture is being directed towards raceways, although Shigueno culture systems are also being investigated. Experimental work with six 18 m × 1.5 m raceways demonstrated that low water exchange rates (1 tank volume/day), combined with high aeration (9.5 liter/min) yielded the highest shrimp biomass. Unheated greenhouse structures constructed over the raceways showed that a single layer of 0.25 mm clear plastic sheeting could maintain water temperatures up to 2.7°C above those in unenclosed tanks. Rearing trials in two Shigueno tank systems demonstrated the importance of high water flow rates (3 tank volumes/day minimum) and adequate aeration. Due to sub-optimal conditions, survival was reduced to 7.5%, however, growth rates up to 6 g/month were obtained for P. semisulcatus.