ORBIT

Indoor Recirculating Aquaculture Systems represent a method of cultivating fish in tank-based environments, characterised by the high-density growth of fish under meticulously controlled environmental conditions. Typically, farmers in this field employ a more intensive approach, characterised by elevated stock densities and a heightened level of precision in management, setting them apart from other aquaculture production methods.

The technology utilises mechanical and biological filters to reuse the water, passing it through treatment processes to remove organic and inorganic wastes, to maintain optimal water quality.

Water treatment processes in a recirculating aquaculture system involve the utilisation of, among others, a biofilter and a CO₂ degasser within an outdoor setup designed for the cultivation of fish & shrimp. These treatment processes are crucial for preserving water quality in intensive fish & shrimp farming operations.

Preserving a suitable alkalinity level (ranging from 50-400 mg/L) can be achieved by incorporating sodium bicarbonate or calcium hydroxide into the system. This helps to prevent a decline in pH resulting from an excess of carbon dioxide. By maintaining proper alkalinity and managing carbon dioxide levels, the pH typically falls within the acceptable range of 7 to 8.4 for most aquaculture species. 

The global interest in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) has surged at an astonishing pace. Despite the substantial expenses and technical prerequisites linked to running land-based RAS systems, there remains a fervent enthusiasm for this demanding technology, with the current trend pointing towards its further expansion. A significant number of industry analysts anticipate that the future of aquaculture will predominantly reside within the realm of land-based technologies, which also involves other technologies than RAS, such as flow-through systems. 

As these cutting-edge farming technologies progress and mature, the intricacy of RAS operations grows, necessitating advanced aquaculture feeds tailored to meet their unique demands. 

BioMar’s RAS feed - ORBIT – was developed over 20 years ago as the world’s first feed solution specially designed for recirculating aquaculture systems. The products primarily focus on solid performance, water quality, stable and easily collected faeces and robust fish health – all with one ultimate purpose: Significant increase of fish production on a given biofilter capacity.