The trend in shrimp farming is the Biofloc method. It is a farming method that uses a microbial population to purify water and use the microbial population as food for shrimp, thereby reducing water use required for farming and increasing feed efficiency.  With the Biofloc method, shrimp can be farmed from start to finish without almost any discharge of farmed water.  However, there are many variables that occur in the middle of shrimp farming. Water quality can change drastically depending on changes in weather, sudden changes in external environments such as the rainy season, and increases in feed quantities.

When the water quality in the farm deteriorates rapidly, the most realistic method is 'water exchange', that is, changing the water. The most desirable method is to remove the contaminated water and replace it with clean water. If a situation arises where water needs to be exchanged urgently, there is no choice but to use the method of directly drawing seawater and putting it in, but there is a high risk of exposure to viruses.

The way to reduce this risk is to secure a reserve reservoir. By securing a reserve reservoir and taking in seawater in advance and disinfecting it, you can avoid the risk of viruses when needed. At this time, depending on the conditions around the farm, it is also possible to use seawater that has been allowed to settle without disinfection.

Our farm has also decided to use a reservoir that has been abandoned as a reserve reservoir. We divided the large reservoir in half, and planned to cover half of the embankment with HDPE film to raise shrimp and use the other half as a reserve reservoir. However, this year, the economy is not good, and the sales of shrimp are expected to decrease, so we decided to use this entire area as a reserve reservoir this year.

First, we decided to use the place with the 300mm intake pipe as the 1st reserve reservoir and the place with the film covering the embankment as the 2nd reserve reservoir. The plan is to take in seawater into the 1st reserve reservoir, let it settle, and then transfer the water to the 2nd reserve reservoir for disinfection, and use the disinfected water in the mid-growth house and the open farm. Once the open farm is filled with water, the water taken from the 2nd reserve reservoir will be used as a supplementary water supply during the farming period.

Many shrimp farmers have suffered losses due to the false belief that Biofloc farming does not require any water exchange. The most important thing to consider in shrimp farming is what is the best way to maintain a water quality environment where shrimp can thrive. A good environment for shrimp is one where clean water is maintained at all times, not one where water exchange is not performed by sticking to the Biofloc method. Therefore, in preparation for exchanging water when necessary, it is essential to create a reserve reservoir.

Of course, it is the wish of all shrimp farmers to raise more shrimp in a larger area and generate more profits. However, if the water quality deteriorates and all the shrimp die of disease before harvest, it will all be in vain. We need to let go of our greed and create an environment where shrimp can grow healthy and produce high-quality shrimp, which will bring greater benefits.

Source: https://saeunara.tistory.com/150 [새우나라:티스토리]