MSP Issue 24

Spotlight
RAS technology
is a high technology system for
hydrobiont farming in water pools
based on water circulation between
its different elements, each of which
provides and maintains the life
sustaining parameters within the
specified limits. RAS includes fish
pools, mechanical and biological
filters, heat exchange system,
decontamination system, feeding
system and emergency power
system.
System Parameter Biofloc RAS
Equipment Purchase Price No Yes
Water Disposal No No
System Stability No Yes
Transparency No Yes
Stocking Density, pcs/m3 500 500
Feeding Ratio 1.3 1.5
Growth Rate 1.4 g/week 1.3 g/week
Survival Rate < 50% > 80%
Risk of Diseases max min
Taste Properties very bad excellent
The evidence presented suggests that future belongs to RAS.
It is worth noting that the main
advantage of RAS is high biological
safety which directly influences not
only the stability of water quality
parameters, but the performance
of the RAS system as a whole. The
system’s disadvantages include
high initial installation cost and the
need for higher level of technical
knowledge and experience in the
system management. The RAS
technology has higher potential
than Biofloc system, and despite the
mentioned disadvantages, it can help
improving the shrimp farming not
only in the regions with poor water
quality and high risk of diseases,
but in the urban areas of large
megapolises as well. The number
of RAS technology supporters for
shrimp farming grows steadily.
This was confirmed by the report of
Fernando Huerta, an international
consultant from Ecuador. Speaking
at the conference on aquaculture
development, he provided the results
of the comparative analysis of both
technologies, and highlighted the
significant difference between the
taste properties of the farmed shrimp
which were clearly not in favour of
Biofloc technology.
 Source: www.sfera.fm
36 | MSP Magazine • February/March 2017