How does the RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) work ?

Aquaculture Tribe

9 Sept 202004:45

Summary

TLDRThe video explores the workings of a RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture System) fish farming operation, which differs from traditional sea or cage farming. Fish are raised indoors in controlled environments, similar to modern chicken farming. The RAS process involves recirculating water multiple times through various technologies, including mechanical and biofiltration systems. These systems filter out waste, remove harmful ammonia, and add oxygen back into the water. Although RAS offers a sustainable approach to fish farming, it requires mastery of complex technologies, high costs, and risks. The video emphasizes understanding these challenges before investing in land-based fish farming.

Takeaways

🐟 Rust farming involves raising fish in indoor tanks under controlled environments, unlike traditional sea or cold-water cage farming.
♻️ The key concept of rust farming is recirculating water, allowing the fish to grow in the same water multiple times with gradual addition of new water.
🧪 Water from the fish tanks goes through mechanical filters to remove solid particles like uneaten feed and fish waste.
🦠 Biofiltration is a crucial step where biofilters remove ammonia from the water, converting it into nitrogen with the help of beneficial bacteria.
💨 Harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrites are removed using degassing technology to ensure water quality is maintained.
🌬️ Oxygenation technologies reintroduce oxygen into the water before sending it back to the fish tanks.
🔄 This recirculation process happens multiple times, with new water being gradually added to maintain water quality.
💡 Rust farming requires mastering various technologies and processes before one can confidently pursue it due to high costs and risks.
💧 The process ensures that the water is continuously cleaned and filtered to support healthy fish farming.
⚠️ While rust farming is efficient, it involves significant complexities, making it not an easy or guaranteed method for all farmers.

Q & A

What is the main difference between rust fish farming and traditional fish farming methods?
-Rust fish farming is conducted in indoor tanks under a controlled environment, while traditional methods like sea cage farming involve fish being raised in open water or cages placed in seas or lakes.
How does water circulation work in rust fish farming?
-The water in rust fish farming is recirculated multiple times with the gradual addition of new water to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the fish.
Why is biofiltration necessary in rust fish farming?
-Biofiltration is necessary to remove harmful ammonia from the water, which is produced by fish waste. Good bacteria convert the ammonia into nitrogen, which is released into the air.
What role does the mechanical filter play in the rust fish farming process?
-The mechanical filter removes solid particles like leftover feed and fish waste from the water, ensuring that the water is clean for the next stages of filtration.
What are the harmful gases removed in the degassing step of rust fish farming?
-Harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrite are removed during the degassing process to ensure the water is safe for the fish.
How is oxygen added back into the water after the filtration process?
-Oxygen is reintroduced into the water using oxygenation technology, which ensures that the water is suitable for the fish before it is recirculated into the tanks.
Why is rust fish farming considered a high-risk and costly operation?
-Rust fish farming requires advanced technology, high levels of control, and expensive equipment, making it a costly and high-risk endeavor compared to traditional fish farming methods.
How do fish interact with their water environment in rust fish farming?
-In rust fish farming, fish live, eat, and release waste in the same water, which is why water filtration and recirculation are critical to maintaining water quality.
What is the purpose of adding new water to the recirculated system?
-Adding new water to the recirculated system ensures that the water quality is maintained by diluting contaminants and maintaining the overall balance of the system.
What technologies are involved in rust fish farming to maintain water quality?
-Rust fish farming utilizes several technologies, including mechanical filters, biofilters, degassing systems, and oxygenation technologies to maintain optimal water quality for fish.

Outlines

00:00

🐟 Introduction to Rust Fish Farming

This paragraph introduces the topic of the video, which focuses on the operation of rust (recirculating aquaculture systems) fish farming. It briefly compares traditional fish farming with this method, highlighting that rust fish farming occurs in indoor tanks under controlled environments, similar to modern chicken farming practices.

🔄 What is Rust Farming?

Here, the concept of rust farming is explained. It involves water recirculating within a system, allowing fish to live in the same water for extended periods. The water is gradually replenished with new water, while various technologies are utilized to maintain the water quality.

🚰 Water Filtration and Fish Tank Setup

This paragraph describes the process where fish are placed in water tanks and how the water goes through different filtration systems. After the water is discharged from the tanks, it contains leftover feed, fish waste, and other particles, which are removed by a mechanical filter.

💩 Mechanical Filtration of Solids

Here, the focus is on mechanical filtration. Fish waste and uneaten feed are filtered out, cleaning the water for further steps. The paragraph emphasizes how fish live, eat, and excrete in the same water, making the filtration process crucial for maintaining cleanliness.

🦠 Biofiltration and Ammonia Removal

This section explains the biofiltration step, where harmful ammonia is removed from the water using biofilters. The ammonia is consumed by beneficial bacteria and converted into nitrogen, which is then safely released into the air, ensuring a healthy environment for the fish.

🌬 Degassing and Oxygenation

In this paragraph, the degassing process is covered, where harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrite are removed from the water using degassing technologies. Afterward, oxygen is reintroduced to the water, making it safe for the fish when it is cycled back into the tanks.

🔄 Reintroducing Water and Continuation of the Cycle

This paragraph summarizes the final steps in the rust farming process. After filtration and oxygenation, the water is reintroduced to the fish tanks. The process repeats with the addition of some new water to maintain quality. The paragraph concludes by reiterating the cyclic nature of the system.

⚠️ Challenges and Risks of Rust Farming

The video wraps up by discussing the complexities and risks associated with rust and land-based fish farming. It emphasizes that while the technology is promising, it requires significant expertise and involves high costs and risks. The video encourages further learning before pursuing this method.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Rust System

The Rust System refers to a type of fish farming operation that is conducted indoors under controlled conditions. It is similar to modern poultry farming but for fish. In the video, this term is used to introduce the concept of recirculating water systems in fish farming, where water is reused and filtered multiple times to maintain a healthy environment for fish.

💡Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)

A RAS is a closed-loop system that continuously reuses water by filtering and treating it before returning it to the fish tanks. The video explains how RAS works by showing the various steps involved in water recirculation, making it a central concept in the discussion of Rust farming.

💡Fish Farming

Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the process of raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures. The video script discusses fish farming in the context of Rust farming, emphasizing the indoor, controlled environment as opposed to traditional sea cage farming.

💡Indoor Tanks

Indoor tanks are used in Rust farming to house the fish. These tanks are part of the controlled environment where the water quality and other conditions can be managed to optimize fish growth. The script mentions indoor tanks as the primary location where fish are raised in Rust farming.

💡Controlled Environment

A controlled environment in fish farming refers to the management of factors such as water quality, temperature, and feeding to create optimal living conditions for fish. The video highlights the importance of a controlled environment in Rust farming for maintaining water quality and the health of the fish.

💡Mechanical Filter

A mechanical filter is a device used in RAS to remove solid particles such as uneaten feed and fish waste from the water. The script describes how the water from the fish tanks goes through a mechanical filter to remove these particles before moving to the next stage of filtration.

💡Biofiltration

Biofiltration is a process that uses beneficial bacteria to break down harmful substances like ammonia into less harmful compounds. In the context of the video, biofiltration is a critical step in the RAS where the biofilters remove ammonia, which is harmful to fish.

💡Ammonia

Ammonia is a toxic byproduct of fish metabolism that can accumulate in water and harm fish if not managed properly. The video explains how ammonia is removed through biofiltration, which is essential for maintaining a healthy environment in Rust farming systems.

💡Degassing Technology

Degassing technology is used to remove harmful gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrite from the water. The script mentions this as a step in the RAS process where gases are removed to ensure the water is safe and healthy for the fish.

💡Oxygenation

Oxygenation is the process of adding oxygen to the water to ensure that it remains well-oxygenated for the fish. After degassing, the video describes how oxygen is reintroduced to the water, which is crucial for the fish's survival and health.

💡Land-based Fish Farming

Land-based fish farming refers to the practice of raising fish on land, typically in controlled environments like those used in Rust farming. The video discusses the considerations and challenges of land-based fish farming, emphasizing the high costs and risks associated with this method.

Highlights

The rust system involves recirculating water to raise fish in the same water through multiple cycles.

Rust farming operates in indoor tanks under controlled environments, unlike traditional sea cages.

Rust farming is similar to modern chicken farming in environmentally controlled facilities.

The water in the system is gradually replenished with new water while being recirculated multiple times.

The water from the fish tanks passes through mechanical filters to remove solid particles, including uneaten feed and fish waste.

Biofiltration removes harmful ammonia from the water, converting it into nitrogen with the help of beneficial bacteria.

Ammonia, if left in the water, negatively impacts the fish's environment but is safely released into the air after biofiltration.

Degassing technology is used to remove harmful gases like carbon dioxide and nitrite from the water.

Oxygen is reintroduced to the water before it is sent back to the fish tanks to ensure proper oxygen levels for the fish.

The recirculation process allows water to be reused several times, minimizing water waste.

New water is gradually added to the system, maintaining a balance between recirculation and fresh water input.

Rust farming relies on advanced technologies for filtration, biofiltration, degassing, and oxygenation to maintain optimal water conditions.

The video emphasizes the high costs and risks involved in rust farming, cautioning potential adopters.

Before entering rust farming, mastering the required technologies and processes is crucial due to its complexity.

Rust farming offers a sustainable approach to fish farming, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution and requires tailored approaches.