How to Balance Gas Exchange in Closed-Loop RAS Facilities

In closed-loop RAS systems gas exchange is paramount. Do you know why? Well let me explain that to you

Importance of Gas Exchange in Closed-loop RAS Systems: Understanding

As with us, fish in closed-loop RAS facilities burn oxygen to breathe. These gills expel carbon dioxide, and it must be removed from the water. Fish can get sick or die from not enough oxygen, or too much carbon dioxide in the water. We need to balance this gas exchange in turn to keep our fishy friends all healthy and a bit more happy looking than that guy

Getting The Most Out Of Oxygen In Closed System RAS Concepts

To facilitate a wealth of oxygen in the water, aeration equipment can also be utilized. The equipment provides oxygen into the water by creating miniscule bubbles — in a way, like when a fish exhales bubbles as it moves through its environment. The right aeration equipment coupled with routine monitoring of oxygen levels will make certain enough oxygen is being delivered into the water so fish are able to breath and flourish

Stabilizing Carbon Dioxide Levels in Glass Fish Aquaria for healthy fish are as follows

But on the other hand we also need to ensure that there isn't too large a concentration of carbon dioxide in the water. Fish take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide while breathing. Where the water is rich in carbon dioxide it brings a dowdy sort of sickness and stresses fish. In order to prevent our fishy mates from becoming lethargic we need to remove surplus carbon dioxide from the water

Selecting appropriate aeration equipment to facilitate gas exchange in RAS accompy

And the type of aeration equipment we use can greatly impact gas exchange in our RAS facilities. There are fine bubble devices that produce lots of bubbles but smaller, while there are those which will create less big and fat bubbles. We can optimize gas exchange in our systems and create a more healthy, fish environment by selecting the proper equipment for our application and then keeping this equipment properly maintained to provide optimum performance

Operation of closed-loop RAS — monitoring and gas exchange maintenance to make it work

But even with the best aeration equipment, monitoring of oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the water is essential. When the early warning is in place, and we get started on monitoring results, we can keep our eye on water chemistry and right a skew before there are casualties. There are several ways to do this and it could be as simple as modifying aeration equipment, altering water flow rates or even incorporating more plants which could help oxygenate the water naturally. So Both closed loop RAS gas exchange efficiency success and fishy friends all in the lagoon can be had by taking care of business on top of water

This ends my post on Gas Exchange in a recirculating aquaculture system. An understanding of the role of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, selecting appropriate aeration equipment and regular monitoring will also help ensure your fish environment is optimal. In other words, just keep the bubble s flowing and our pet fish swimming fantastically in there eWater