The ultimate guide

5 essentials of succesful RAS farming

1. Filtration
After the fish have used the water, it goes through a series of filters to be reconditioned.
Removal of organic matter in the form of settleable solids originating from faeces,
bacterial matter from the biofilter and uneaten feed is the first cleaning step in
RAS. This is a vital step, as the suspended particles directly impact fish health by
compromising the function of the gills. Biological filtration breaks down the ammonia
produced by the fish, as it is very toxic, even in small concentrations. This process is

2. Monitoring parameters
termed nitrification, whereby ammonia is converted into nitrate (NO₃-) in two steps
by two groups of nitrifying bacteria. Denitrification is the breakdown of nitrate into
molecular nitrogen (N₂) gas.

In all types of fish farming, and in RAS especially, the water quality is the basis for healthy fish Request your
and optimal performance. Water quality, to a great extent, determines the success or failure ultimate guide for
of an aquaculture operation, as all important processes, including feed uptake, digestion, RAS farming!
growth and waste excretion, happen in water. A RAS farmer, therefore, has to make sure
that all the important water quality parameters are kept optimal at all times. This requires an
understanding of fish behaviour and the dynamics of the filters.

5. Health management
In an increasingly competitive
environment, there are now far greater
demands on trout farms to operate
more efficiently and to conform
to higher standards. Health
management is a critical factor in

3. Feeding strategy
the profitability of trout farming
business, where both experience and

Feeds for use in RAS have to meet much stricter criteria than feeds for
4. Off flavour control expertise are vital. RAS is a much more
dynamic system, with potential deviations
in water quality that may lead to stress and
any other type of farming. A trout RAS feed needs to precisely meet Off flavour is common in RAS, as with many other types of farming
health challenges. Furthermore, if continuous
the nutritional requirements for optimal and efficient growth. RAS feed also. The responsible components are geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol
production strategies are used, carrier fish may
needs to be highly digestible, as this will promote a high feed utilisation (MIB) produced by microbes, like cyanobacteria and actinomycetes,
reside for a long time in the system after recovery
and also helps to minimise the amount of faeces that the fish living in the system. These organisms like to attach to surfaces and are
from an epizootic.
will produce. Besides using a first-class RAS feed, a proper common to trickling filters. Geosmin and MIB cause a muddy or earthy
feeding strategy is necessary for the best results. taste that spoils the succulent flavour of trout for most consumers.