Application of automated paddlewheel aerator in shrimp culture pond; Effect on water quality, energy cost and biomass

Abstract

Aeration plays a pivotal role in an intensive shrimp pond regarding shrimp growth and energy costs. The purpose of this study was to find a way to reduce energy costs while maintaining shrimp performance. The study was carried out in about 0.3 hectares of outdoor ponds for 80 days with stocking density being set to 80 shrimp/m2 in two types of treatment an Automatic (AP) and a Manual paddlewheel (MP). Parameters observed were dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, temperature of water and pH, energy cost, and shrimp biomass. Resulting study found that mean DO concentrations in both treatments were not significantly different, which were 4.99 ± 1.45 ppm and 4.94 ± 1.54 ppm for AP and MP respectively. Temperature and pH were also found to be in same range of 26.81-34.08 oC and 7.8-8.3. Differences in paddlewheels had no effect on final biomass; AP produced 2249.56 ± 300.67 kg, while MP resulted in 1547.43 ± 359.04 kg. However, the treatments reduced total energy costs significantly, from $657.84 ± 6.13 for MP to $409.76 ± 3.52 for AP. Using of an automated paddlewheel based on real-time DO concentration can contribute significantly to lowering production costs and energy consumption without interfering with shrimp performance.