Anyone do mass balance equations and loading rate calculations to see what their flow rates, pumps sizes, ammonia removal rates, and oxygen input should be in a projected RAS?
I'm reading a text where they do this. I''m going to give it a shot. Not too complex but I'll have to get my rusty gray matter back in shape as it's been a while since I've done equations.
DailyOriginally Posted by Cecil
Hi Cecil,
Earthan Group has that info and much more on his website. You should register there also, it is becoming a valuable, publicly accessible base of quality data, from a hands on industry professional.
Kudos to EG.
Cheers
Toga
Good deal gentlemen! I'll have to check out the website. I will probably hire a consultant I know to expand my operation but would like to be as knowledgeable as possible. I feel like I'm pretty knowledgeable but there is nothing like learning what works from someone that has been in the trenches and knows what works and what doesn't.
My main focus will be trout culture at lower than typical densities to maintain outstanding fin quality and appearance. I also want to keep the system as small as possible to run it economically. It appears I can still use my RBC's or moving bed media, and I'm shying away from an upflow sand filter for biological filtration due to the flow rates required to keep it in suspension. I still would like to use an RDF for mechanical filtration.
Thanks for the kudos Toga. You need some kudos for standing up over there mate.
Cecil.
How much are you adding to your sytem?
EG,
It will actually be a separate system in a new building with some different species vs. the ad hock system I have presently in the basement, that is just for bringing in fish for the winter for bluegills and yellow perch, soon to be smallmouth bass.
I need to produce about 500 lbs. each annually of primarily male 3.5 to 5 lb. brook and brown trout for a small lucrative taxidermy market. (1 percent feeding rate). I can produce these fish sizes in only one year as I will purchase yearling 10 to 12 inch fish from a supplier, and can get them to above size in only a year. In fact, I do so to some extent presently with an outdoor flow through pond that is too cold for growth (ices over) several months of that year.
It's more cost effect to purchase them at this size vs. producing my own fish from eggs for the few fish I need to produce annually (a few hundred). However I will need a back up plan to hatch and produce smaller trout if I can't get fish from my supplier. There are only three suppliers of these species in the entire country that do the health testing required by my state, and there have been times when they either didn't have the supply I needed or had a false postive for a pathogen.
It's imperative that the trout (all the species I raise for taxidermy purposes)have no flaws such as bad fins or any defects so I've been instructed by experienced RAS producers of trout that very clean water is imperative with lower than typical densities. It seems the fin quality can be lacking on systems that are pushing the limit, which isn't an issue with fish destined for the food market.
I will also bring in annually for the winter about 200 lbs. each of bluegill, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass. I will use the same tanks for holding tanks in the spring for fish sales. Any feed training I do will probably be flow through tanks adjacent to my outdoor ponds.
500lbs will be simple enough. With your experience, you will be able to whip that up in no time. The other 200 lbs will only be on a holding diet through winter?
Here is our next 100 tonne one. Finalising the production and cash flows today. It may give you some ideas.
Well unless that system is the same size as the tanks on the page at about in inch in diameter that's a might big system! LOL
Impressive!
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