Technical
and economical feasibility of a rotifer recirculation system
G.
Suantika, P. Dhert, E. Sweetman, E. O'Brien, P. Sorgeloos
Aquaculture, 227(1-4): 173-189
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.
(Laboratory of Aquaculture and Artemia Reference
Center, Ghent University, Rozier 44, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium, e-mail of G.
Suantika: gsuantika@yahoo.com, gsuantika@bi.itb.ac.id,
e-mail of P. Sorgeloos: Patrick.sorgeloos@Ugent.be)