Crystal Bio as a Floating Medium Filter for
Recirculation System in Aquaculture
Normala Wahap, Annita Yong, Abentin Estim,
Senoo Shigeharu, Saleem Mustafa
Borneo Marine Research Institute,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Introduction
Tank based
recirculation system
Controlled
environment
Low water
exchange system
Close to
large cities
Biosecurity
More stable
water quality
Indoor system
Reduce
contaminated
water
Less fluctuation
Recirculation System
Treating water (filter)
Remove toxic waste products
Reuse
Nitrogen
Nitrite –
converted into
Nitrate
Nitrate –
absorbed by
plants /
diluted
Ammonia
converted to
Nitrite
Ammonia –
produced by
fish (excrement
& breathing)
Management of waste
Originates from feed
Rapid build up
Decline in
water quality
Induced stress
Smothering of gills
Increased in
BOD
Decomposition
UMS Hatchery
Corals
• Unstable DO & pH
• Frequent backwash
• Backwash is not easy
Medium filters
Polyethylene (P.E) beads
Ceramic media
Biocell media
Crystal bio
Excellent
nitrification
Large amount
of surface area
Alkaline
character
Crystal bio
Selected Species
Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Experimental
fish
Widely
used
Recirculation
system
Objectives
To compare and evaluate the efficiency of crystal
bio and corals under the same recirculation
conditions
- Measuring the growth and survival of cultured fish
- Measuring the concentration of ammonia, nitrite,
nitrate & phosphorus
Materials & Methods
Experimental Design
Side A
Sampling
point
9L
25L plastic aquarium
(Fish tank)
11L plastic aquarium
(Filter tank)
Side B
23L
Experimental Design
Corals (CR)
Crystal Bio +
Corals (CRCB)
Crystal Bio (CB)
Corals + Nitrifying
Bacteria (CRNB)
Crystal Bio +
Nitrifying Bacteria
(CBNB)
• Fish size : ½ inch (35 tails)
• Feeding : 20% of total BW
• Water parameter : pH, DO, Temp
• Water sampling: intervals of 4 days
• Water nutrient analysis
• Measurements: every 7 days
Water Nutrient Analysis
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphorus
* Reagents preparations
(Robert & Gene, 1969)
Nitrifying bacteria preparation
Powder form
Mesh using mortar
Add with water
0.01g / L
Results & Discussion
Initial BW = 0.38g
Body Weight (g)
1.4
1.0
CR
CB
CRCB
0.6
CRNB
CBNB
0.2
0
7
14
21
Days of experiment
Growth Changes of Tilapia Reared in Five Different Treatments
28
Initial TL = 1.8cm
Total Length (cm)
4.6
3.6
Slowly decreasing
CR
CB
1.0 – 2.1 mg/L
2.6
CRCB
0.7 – 1.9 mg/L
CRNB
CBNB
1.6
0
7
14
21
28
Days of experiment
Growth Changes of Tilapia Reared in Five Different Treatments
Survival rate (%)
Treatments
Survival Rate of Tilapia Reared in Five Different Treatments
Levels of Water Nutrients in Fish Culture Tank on Day 28
Treatments /
Water Nutrients
CR
CB
CRCB
CRNB
CBNB
Ammonia (mg/L)
0.230
0.117
0.138
0.125
0.140
Nitrite (mg/L)
0.214
0.115
0.211
0.101
0.014
Nitrate (mg/L)
4.693
2.576
3.535
3.707
3.117
Phosphorus (mg/L)
0.639
0.531
0.625
0.526
0.684
Levels of Water Nutrients in Filter Tank on Day 28
Treatments / Water
Nutrients
CR
CB
CRCB
CRNB
CBNB
Ammonia (mg/L)
0.167
0.117
0.119
0.147
0.380
Nitrite (mg/L)
0.154
0.122
0.174
0.070
0.012
Nitrate (mg/L)
4.277
3.244
4.481
4.656
3.921
Phosphorus (mg/L)
0.645
0.733
0.610
0.637
0.727
Conclusion
Crystal Bio
- Has potential to replace corals
- Higher survival & growth
- Lower contents of ammonia
Recommendation
Get more accurate result :
-
Providing with mechanical filter
Bacteria counting
Water sampling
Other types of fish
THANK YOU
VERY MUCH
FOR YOUR ATTENTION…
Crystal Bio as a Floating Medium Filter for
Recirculation System in Aquaculture
Normala Wahap, Annita Yong, Abentin Estim,
Senoo Shigeharu, Saleem Mustafa
Borneo Marine Research Institute,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Ammonia concentration (ppm)
Ammonia
Days of experiment
Ammonia concentration (ppm)
Nitrite
Days of experiment
Ammonia concentration (ppm)
Nitrate
Days of experiment
Ammonia concentration (ppm)
Phosphorus
Days of experiment