Aquatic Equipment & Design, Inc.

Geotextile technology is one method to manage and repurpose aquaculture effluent for sustainable farming. The technology can successfully separate solids and liquid in the fish effluent, reducing suspended solids by nearly 99%. This process generates a clear liquid filtrate suitable for drip irrigation while capturing nutrient-rich sludge that serves as an effective organic fertilizer. These reclaimed materials offer a way to recycle nitrogen and phosphorus back into crop production.  

Maintaining optimal water quality is a fundamental requirement for any aquaculture facility. This episode identifies dissolved oxygen as the most critical priority. Temperature acts as a primary driver for fish metabolism and growth. Managers must consistently track pH level and manage the nitrogen cycle to prevent ammonia and nitrite toxicity. Effective management involves utilizing various tools, ranging from affordable manual test kits to sophisticated handheld meters and benchtop technology.

This episode briefly discusses demand feeders and automatic feeders within the context of modern aquaculture management. Demand feeders rely on fish biology to dispense food based on the real-time hunger; automatic feeders rely on pre-set schedules or environmental data. Each technology requires financial investment and regular maintenance to function correctly. But both technologies can help farm operators improve cost-effective solutions for their logistical needs and farm management practices.

This episode provides a brief overview of how dissolved oxygen probes function by converting chemical or optical reactions into electrical data. These devices do not measure concentration directly; instead, they utilize electrochemical cells or fluorescent dyes to generate signals proportional to the amount of oxygen present. Oxygen probes are categorized as polarographic, galvanic, and fiber optic sensors. This brief podcast illustrates specific mechanical differences for each type of probe. 

Regenerative blowers are essential tools for maintaining oxygen levels in aquatic environments. They must be correctly sized to overcome resistance from water depth and plumbing friction. Operators should prioritize placing blowers in cool, dry, and elevated locations with adequate ventilation to prevent motor overheating. It is also critical to manage back pressure by using appropriately sized pipes and installing heat-dissipating metal outlets to protect downstream PVC components. 

This episode provides an overview of fish feeding practices in aquaculture and how various factors influence feeding choices, such as fish life stage, water temperature, and the characteristics of the culture system. The discussion covers different feeding techniques, including relying on empirically developed feeding schedules, the subjective method of feeding to "apparent satiation," and the use of automatic and demand feeders to manage feed quantity and frequency.

This episode details the essential process of calibrating a one-gallon hand pump sprayer to ensure the accurate application of pesticides, fertilizers, and cleaners at your facility. It emphasizes the importance of safety and equipment maintenance, instructing users to wear protective gear and perform initial tests using only water. The resource provides a simple mathematical formula to help small-scale farmers scale their spray requirements to any size growing area.

This episode emphasizes the role of finfish quarantine as a crucial step to protect established aquatic systems from external threats. Beyond disease prevention, quarantine provides a vital acclimation period, allowing new fish to adjust to different food and water conditions while minimizing stress associated with immediate competition or aggression. Ultimately, the systems have been found to be cost-effective and offer the added logistical benefit of serving as a hospital tank for future needs.

This episode discusses the application of Ultraviolet (UV) Light Technology in aquaculture as a non-chemical method for disease control. It details operational considerations for effective use, such as UV dose, UV intensity, flow rate, and UV Transmittance (UVT). The episode concludes by advising operators on proper maintenance, including lamp replacement and quartz sleeve cleaning, and lists the necessary parameters needed when sizing a UV unit for an aquatic system.

INFLOW: Aquatic Animal Life Support Systems and Habitats, hosts Joe Arlotto and Dr. Jeff Keaffaber talk with Amy Stone, a designer whose career bridges aquaculture, aquaponics, and life support system design. Amy shares her journey from raising fish to leading Aquatic Equipment & Design.