CARBON SOURCES AND C:N RATIOS ON WATER QUALITY FOR NILE TILAPIA FARMING IN BIOFLOC SYSTEM

Authors

  • Ugo Lima Silva Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
  • Dario Rocha Falcon Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
  • Maurício Nogueira da Cruz Pessôa Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
  • Eudes de Souza Correia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n423rc

Keywords:

Oreochromis niloticus. Fish farming. Microbial flocs. Fingerling stage.

Abstract

The use of biofloc technology (BFT) can improve fish production in regions with low water availability. Therefore, information on dynamics of water quality is essential for success in fish rearing. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the water quality for Nile tilapia farming in a system without water exchange, during the fingerling stage, using different sources of carbon and C:N ratios. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratios (10:1 and 20:1) and three carbon sources (sugar, molasses and cassava starch). The C:N ratio and carbon source affected the variables alkalinity, settleable solids (SS), turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS), showing significantly higher values at C:N ratio of 20:1 (P < 0.05). The best carbon source for microbial floc formation were the molasses and sugar, under C:N ratios of 10:1 and 20:1. The stability of the monitored water quality parameters occurred from 6 to 7 weeks of rearing. The growth performance of Nile tilapia in BFT system fertilized with different organic carbon sources was not significantly different (P < 0.05) between treatments. The use of molasses to fertilize BFT systems can reduce costs of production in regions where this product is available.

Author Biographies

  • Ugo Lima Silva, Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
    Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada
  • Dario Rocha Falcon, Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
    Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada
  • Maurício Nogueira da Cruz Pessôa, Academic unit of Serra Talhada, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE
    Unidade Acadêmica de Serra Talhada
  • Eudes de Souza Correia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE
    Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura

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Published

14-06-2017

Issue

Section

Fishery Engineering