The drum filter can be found in many specific fields including aquaculture. It is mandatory for an open fish farm or in a recirculating system. A drum filter prevents the formation of algae or bacteria that can affect the living conditions of fish.
Drum filters for aquaculture
has. Why filter recirculated water (RAS)?
The aim of the RAS is to carry out fish farming in places where water is present in limited quantities. We will also have a better performance with :
- reduced energy consumption,
- a reduction in the risk of pathogen dissemination,
- direct control over water quality and consequently better yield.
The filter action eliminates Traps the sludge extracted from the system. This elimination will cause the system to lose water and an addition of water will therefore have to compensate it .
The biological filter placed just after the aquaculture drum filter will remove theOther toxic wastes such as nitrogen. A system with only an MBBR type biological filter will not be viable. Without mechanical filtration and particle removal, the particles will settle on the cheaps. Heterotrophic bacteria (carbon consumers) will grow faster than autotrophic bacteria (nitrogen purifiers)
-
Aquaculture channel drum filter
Filtering -
Stainless steel aquaculture drum filter
Filtering
b. Drum filter at the inlet and outlet of a fish farm
The notion of entry and exit is found in an open network. Water is pumped from an external environment to supply the pond and ensure the well-being of the fish.
- The advantage of an inlet drum filter is to ensure mechanical filtration of the water entering the pool. The water that enters the pond is “clean” and free of macronutrients that can harm fish.
- This equipment provides a high level of hygiene and avoids geosmines (muddy taste) in the fish flesh.
- Putting a filtering system at the exit of a fish farm is as essential as the one at the entrance. Indeed, if absent from the network, the pollutants produced by the fish (organic matter, nitrogen, etc.) risk contaminating the environment. They would result in eutrophication of the environment, which would lead to anoxia and an ecological disaster.
- For total effectiveness, it is recommended to add a biological filtration to the aquaculture drum filter to avoid contamination.
Drum Filters for Ponds
In nature, water points are subject to natural filtration. This occurs through many phenomena including infiltration into the soil, runoff along a river, evaporation and even infiltration. However, they are almost inexistent in an artificial pond. Moreover, we need to set up an artificial phenomenon to compensate for this.
There are many factors involved in choosing aquaculture drum filters for ponds. This can vary depending on the size of the ponds, the number of individuals but also the type of farming.
It is important to plan a pond size adapted to the number of individuals you have. Indeed, in order to provide quality and well-being, fish, mollusks and crustaceans need a sufficient living space. It is therefore important to define the species that you will integrate, in order to define the design of your pond.
Filters water from Koi carp
Koi are rather fragile fish that require special care. We believes that a fish requires around two cubic meters to grow quickly. To design your pool and avoid wasting energy, it is necessary to take this parameter into account. The shape of your pond is also important for your drum filtration system. This prevents the formation of stagnant water that is not subject to mechanical filtration. It is preferable that the pond is not too deep, to easily observe your fish. However, it is important that the level does not exceed the height of the filter discharge chute in the gravity version.
In order to ensure the best mechanical filtration, the drum filter must have a capacity corresponding to your pond. To ensure its effectiveness, half the volume of the pond must pass through the filter every hour. For a 30 m³ pond < we recommend a filter capable of ensuring a flow of 15 m³ per hour.
- A 50 m³ pond requires a flow rate of 25 m³ per hour;
- For 80 m³, a flow rate of 40 m³ per hour is recommended;
- A flow rate of 60 m³ per hour is required for 120 m³;
- Finally, for a 160 m³ pond, we recommend a flow rate higher than 60 m³ per hour.
Drum filter for aquaponics
Aquaponics is a cultivation method that combines three types of living beings: bacteria, fish and plants. This mutual benefit relationship is expressed in the following way:
- Aerobic bacteria converts nitrogen waste such as ammonia produced by fish (urea)
- plants’ roots in suspension will then absorb them
- This way, they will be provided with access to the necessary nutrients while eliminating the waste products emitted by the fish.
However, although this system may appear self-sufficient, adding a drum filter can be beneficial. Indeed, the substrate and roots will tend to become clogged because of the impurities present in the water. This will require additional and regular maintenance.
To prevent clogging, a suitable filtration method must be chosen to avoid :
- Any risk of water heating in summer, the filtration system must be buried.
- Energy consumption, it would be better if it worked by gravity.
- Its clogging must be slow enough to limit maintenance and easy to clean, while producing clear water.
- Although it allows the recovery of mud, it can also be used as fertilizer.
FAQ
Why is a drum filter essential in a recirculating fish farm (RAS)?
In a RAS system, water is constantly reused. A drum filter is there essential for the removal of suspended solids (droppings, uneaten food) that could affect water quality and fish welfare. Without mechanical filtration, the particles would attach themselves to the biological supports, preventing the proper development of purifying bacteria (autotrophs) and unbalancing the entire system.
Should water be filtered at the entrance and exit of a fish farm?
Yes, filtering water at the inlet prevents the introduction of impurities and pathogens into the ponds, while filtering at the outlet avoids pollution of the natural environment by organic and nitrogen discharges. This double filtration is essential for the quality of fish flesh (no muddy taste) and protection of aquatic environments.
How to choose a drum filter for a Koi pond?
For clear water and healthy Koi carp, the drum filter must have a capacity that is adapted to the volume of the pond. The rule: Filter half of the pond volume every hour. For example, for an 80 m³ pool, a flow rate of at least 40 m³/h is required. The filter should also be installed at the correct level to work by gravity and avoid areas of standing water.
Is a drum filter useful in aquaponics?
Yes. Even though aquaponics relies on a self-contained ecosystem, a drum filter avoids the Sealing of plant substrate and roots removing fine impurities. It improves the water clarity, reduces manual maintenance and can even be used to recover sludge as fertilizer for crops. An underground gravity model is recommended to limit energy consumption and water heating.
Which drum filter to choose for a fish pond?
The choice depends on the volume of the pond, the type of culture (fish, molluscs, crustaceans) and the number of individuals. The filter must be able to manage the organic load produced, while adapting to the configuration of the pool (depth, shape, location). The objective is to maintain a Oxygenated and clear water, replacing the natural filtration phenomena absent in artificial basins.
Let's start today!
Our experts are ready to assist you in choosing the right drum filter for your project! You can make a free design online. You can also contact us by phone or email to discuss your project!
