Technical and economical feasibility of a rotifer recirculation system
Suantika, G.; Dhert, P.; Sweetman, E.; O'Brien, E.; Sorgeloos, P. (2003). Technical and economical feasibility of a rotifer recirculation system. Aquaculture 227(1-4): 173-189. dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0044-8486(03)00502-7
In: Aquaculture. Elsevier: Amsterdam; London; New York; Oxford; Tokyo. ISSN 0044-8486; e-ISSN 1873-5622, more
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| Keywords |
Fluids > Gases > Atmospheric gases > Ozone
Recirculation
Rotifers
Brachionus plicatilis Müller, 1786 [WoRMS]; Rotifera [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Brachionus plicatilis; recirculation; rotifers; ozone; protein skimmer; operational cost |
| Authors | | Top |
- Suantika, G., more
- Dhert, P., more
- Sweetman, E.
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- O'Brien, E.
- Sorgeloos, P., more
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| Abstract |
A feasibility study was performed on the use of a recirculation system for the mass culturing of rotifers at industrial level. Rotifer culture systems with a culture volume of 750 l were operated at three different stocking densities (3000, 5000 and 7000 individuals ml-1) in a completely closed recirculation system. At all operating rotifer densities, a reliable production of 2.2 billion rotifers could be obtained on a daily basis during 3 weeks. Excellent water quality was maintained by the use of protein skimmers, the use of ozone and a submerged biofilter. The microbial counts remained stable during the whole culture period (106 CFU ml-1 on marine agar and 104 CFU ml-1 on TCBS after 15 and 23 days, respectively). No difference in HUFA and protein content were obtained between rotifers harvested from the recirculation system or from a conventional batch culture system. Compared to a commercial batch culture system, the use of a recirculation system can contribute to a 43% saving on the capital investment and the annual operation cost. By using this system, capital investment cost is considerably reduced by 46%. Savings are also made on labour cost (65%) and feed cost (21%) during a 1-year production. In general terms, it can be stated that by using a simple recirculation system, a cost-effective technology and a reliable rotifer culture can be obtained. |
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