Have you ever wondered what fish farming can look like when a traditional pond is replaced by a high-tech shed where every drop of water is precious? That's exactly how our Senica fish farm works, specializing in breeding the delicious African catfish. At the heart of our success is the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS).
In this article, we'll walk you through the entire process and show you why RAS is a revolutionary step in the sustainable production of quality food.
What is RAS? More than just "water circulation"
A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is a closed, controlled production system. Simply put, we create a perfect artificial lake under the roof for the fish, where we control everything from water temperature to water chemistry. The goal is not just to recirculate the water, but to keep it constantly at parameters that are ideal for the fish.
RAS Building Blocks: the water path through our farm
Let's take a step-by-step look at what happens to the water our catfish swim in.
1. Starting point: Fish tanks
Our fish live in special tanks that ensure an even flow of water. This flow carries impurities (faeces or food debris) out of the tank and into the filter circuit. The fish are thus always in a clean environment.
2. The first cleansing: Mechanical filtration
The polluted water first goes to mechanical filters. Here, it flows through fine screens or rollers that catch any solid particles. Think of it as a giant sieve. This step results in crystal clear water and the captured impurities can be further processed in an environmentally friendly way, e.g. for fertiliser.
3. The heart of the system: Biological filtration
This is the most important and ingenious part of the whole system. Even if the water is clear after mechanical filtration, it still contains invisible but toxic substances for fish - mainly ammonia, which fish excrete through their gills.
- How does it work? The water is fed into a biological filter, which is filled with a special material with a huge surface (this can be plastic balls, for example!).
- Role of bacteria: colonies of beneficial nitrifying bacteria live on this material. These bacteria gradually convert the ammonia first into nitrite and then into the much less dangerous nitrate.
- Why is this crucial? This natural process removes poisons from the water and makes it safe to use. It's like having a giant, super-powerful cleaning lung.
4. Nitrate and gas removal
Excess nitrate also needs to be removed. This can be done by using special filters or by regularly draining a certain amount of water. At the same time, the water gets rid of the carbon dioxide that the fish breathe out in a degasser.
5. Oxygenation: give the fish energy
The clean water must be richly saturated with oxygen before returning to the fish. For this purpose, an oxygen generator and fans are used to inject pure oxygen directly into the water. This ensures that the fish always have enough "air" for healthy growth.
6. Return to the fish
Now the water is clean again, free of toxins and enriched with oxygen. It goes back into the production tanks and the cycle repeats itself. The system replenishes only the minimum amount of water that has evaporated or been removed with the sludge.
Specific benefits for us and for you on the Senica farm
This sophisticated process delivers tangible benefits that set our catfish apart from others on the market.
- Full quality control: temperature, pH, oxygen - everything is stable. The fish do not experience temperature shocks or other stress that would deteriorate the quality of the meat.
- Stop the antibiotics: In this stable and clean environment, fish are naturally healthy and resilient. We don't need preventive antibiotics.
- Maximum freshness and taste: fish from RAS have no access to algae or mud, which can give the meat an "earthy" aftertaste. The meat of our catfish is therefore tender, with a clean, delicious taste.
- Eco-friendliness: Our system uses up to 95% less water than conventional farming. We capture and reuse all waste, protecting the surrounding ecosystems.
DiamondFish: Quality based on technology and care
Our farm is not just about technology. It's about using that technology to create the best possible product for our customers. Every step, from feeding to packaging, is under our watch.
Taste the difference that quality and care makes in Senica!
DiamondFish - We behave with respect for fish and nature.
