Water quality remediation in a fish hatchery using biological and mechanical filters

Water quality is a major factor in fish hatchery operations and management. Deterioration in the quality of water increases stress on the captive animals, reduces their growth, makes them vulnerable to disease and can cause heavy mortality. Managing water quality is important but expensive. In this study, an innovative method was developed to collectively use coral rubble, aquamats, synthetic polymers and seaweeds for maintaining the quality of water in a recirculation aquaculture system. The chemicals such as NH3-N, NO2-N and NO3-N, which originate from fish metabolic waste and unconsumed feed, were monitored to determine the effectiveness of the method used. The method was cost-effective and efficiently purged the water of the toxic wastes, resulting in remediation of water quality for the recirculating aquaculture system.


Presented in the Research and Innovation Competition of UMS 19 - 24 August 2008 (PEREKA 2008). Won Bronze Medal

Tidal effects on the seawater quality of a fish hatchery water intake

The seawater temperature, DO, pH, salinity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity, total carbon dioxide, turbidity, total suspended solids, NH3-N, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4-P, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Pb concentrations in a fish hatchery were determined. The study was conducted at the seawater intake point of the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia from May to December 2006. Seawater samples were collected during ebb and flood tides at two different depths namely, 0.1 m from surface and bottom. The objectives of the study were to determine the seawater quality during ebb tide and flood tide and to compare the values obtained with the seawater quality standards for marine fish culture activity. An independent t-test showed that only the seawater DO, total alkalinity, turbidity, NO3-N and Cr concentrations were affected by the tides (p<0.05). The concentrations of total alkalinity, turbidity and Cr were higher during ebb tide compared to the flood tide but lower DO and NO3-N were recorded. However, all the parameters measured (except DO) were within the range of seawater quality guidelines for marine fish culture activity. The maximum DO detected during flood tide was 12.2 mg/L, which is two times higher than normal condition. Solubility of DO in the water at 30oC and 30 ppt was 6.39 mg/L only. This high DO may be due to the algal bloom occurring during the time of sampling in the area of the seawater intake point. TSS was also found to be higher than the standards for marine fish culture activity and there was no significant different (p<0.05) during ebb tide and flood tide. The standard TSS for marine fish activity is not more than 10 mg/L and the study recorded maximum concentrations during ebb tide and flood tide of 27.1 mg/L and 26.8 mg/L, respectively. This study suggests that based on the guidelines for marine fish culture, TSS is the main parameter contributing to poor water quality at the seawater intake point of BMRI fish hatchery. The study forms the basis for water management strategies required for aquaculture activities.

This paper was presented in the 7th International Scientific Symposium IOC/WESTPAC "Natural Hazards and Changing Marine Environment In The Western Pacific". May 2008

Temperature, DO, pH and Salinity of Seawater in a Fish Hatchery System

Quality of water is a major factor in management of a hatchery. Seawater of sub-optimum quality is known to affect spawning and cause high larval mortality. This study was undertaken to assess the water quality in the hatchery at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Attention was given to parameters including temperature, DO, pH and salinity. Samplings were done at six stations from March to December 2006. Results showed that the maximum seawater DO at the seawater intake point (Sepanggar Bay) was 12.2 mg/L, which is higher than what is generally seen in marine hatcheries. Solubility of oxygen in the water at 30oC and 30 ppt was 6.39 mg/L. Minimum seawater DO, pH and salinity recorded in the settling tank were 0.5 mg/L, 5.5 and 6.4 ppt, respectively, which was beyond the optimal values for marine fish culture. Although the maximum seawater DO at the intake point and minimum seawater DO, pH and salinity in the settling tank were detected out of the optimal ranges but it did not affect water quality at other stations, particularly the culture tanks. This study suggested that the seawater temperature, DO, pH and salinity in the hatchery were still suitable for the on-going aquaculture activity, but at certain stages along the water supply route, quality improvement may be necessary to conform to optimum requirements for still better results from the hatchery operation.


This paper was presented in the Seminar on Marine Science and Aquaculture, Sabah. March 2008