Tilapia Aquaculture with Waterwheel System and Recirculation Aquaculture System
One way to increase the production of aquaculture is by applying aquaculture technology. One example of the application of technology in aquaculture is the use of waterwheels and the application of fish farming with the Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS).
Fish generally require oxygen for breathing and metabolism. Lack of oxygen can cause fish to become stressed, sick, or even die.
The oxygen content required by fish varies depending on the type of fish and its life stage:
2. Freshwater farmed fish: Requires DO (Dissolved Oxygen) 4-6 mg/L.
3. Shrimp: Requires DO 4-8 mg/L.
4. Tilapia: Requires 7 ppm dissolved oxygen.
To increase fisheries production, the amount of harvest must be increased. One way to increase the amount of fish farming production is by applying intensive fish farming techniques with high stocking densities. Intensive fish farming with high stocking density will automatically increase the high oxygen demand for fish to breathe and for metabolism. The use of mills in fish farming is one application of technology with the aim of increasing the dissolved oxygen content in fish pond water.
Fish cultivated in ponds must be healthy so that fish growth is not disturbed. Fish cultivation with high stocking density will affect the level of water quality. The water quality in the aquaculture pond will decrease due to the amount of fish waste released. The method of cultivation with the Recirculation Aquaculture System is in principle the same as the use of a circulation filter in an ornamental fish aquarium which functions to convert fish waste into ammonia, then ammonia is converted into nitrite, and further converts nitrite into nitrate. The nitrate produced by this filter is not harmful to fish.
The tilapia farming method with the Waterwheel system and the Recirculation Aquaculture System is a combination of two cultivation technologies that each complement each other. The waterwheel serves to increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water and the Recirculation Aquaculture System serves to maintain water quality so that the water in the cultivation pond remains optimal.