Jamaica Tilapia Trial Proposal

AquaCulture Treatment Review

Tilapia Farm Data….

Size of Ponds Vary from 0.25ac to 2ac

Number of Ponds 100

Density of Production 3 fish/m2

O2 Levels 1.5 to 5 ppm (pre dawn)

pH 8.5

BOD 3 to 4 mg/l

Water Exchange Rate 5% to 10% /day

Grow Out Period 150 days

Feeding Rate 6% to 1.8%/ day

Sludge Level 2ft to 4.5ft

Ponds are sloped so depth varies from 4ft to 6ft for 2 acre ponds and 4ft to 8ft for 1 acre ponds.

Length and width are 615x131 ft for the 2 acre ponds; and 242x157 for the 1acre ponds.

Based on the above information, we can make certain assumptions about the ponds in general, and provide a range for treating the various ponds based on these assumptions.

Assumptions:

First…if the Sludge ranges from 2ft to 4.5 ft…we will use 2 feet in calculating the volume of the large (2 acre) ponds and 3 feet in the small (1 acre) ponds. AquaClean will reduce the sludge over time, approximately 5 to 7 CM (1 to 1.5 inches) per month. In fact, as the bottom sludge is solubilized over time, we may even see some of the sludge rise to the surface and exit the ponds during water exchange, which will speed up the process.

All ponds are sloped, with our estimated bottom sludge; the volumes are calculated as follows:

Large Ponds – 2 Acre – with the depth between 4 to 6 feet, the average effective depth is 5 feet less 2 feet of sludge, or 3 feet at present.

Small Ponds – 1 Acre – with the depth between 4 to 8 feet, the average effective depth is 6 feet less 3 feet of sludge, or 3 feet at present.

Therefore, volumes are as follows:

Large Ponds – 615 x 131 x 3 = 241,695 cubic.ft = 6,844 m3

Small Ponds - 242 x 157 x 3 = 113,982 cubic.ft = 3,227 m3

Treatment Plans are based on volume and retention time, and therefore these calculations become important in determining the amount of AquaClean that would be required. Based on the above assumptions, we would recommend the following:

ACF-32 in Gallons Week 1 Week 2-3-4 Thereafter

Large Pond (2 Acre) 2 per Day 1 per Day 1 Liter every 2nd Day

Small Pond (1 Acre) 1 per day ½ per day ½ Liter every 2^nd Day

Based on 150 Day Grow-Out Period, this would be 80 Gallons for the Large Pond and 40 for the Small Pond. If the ponds are in continuous use, then we will not need to re-inoculated, and the second Grow-Out Period would only require 21 to 25 Gallons for the Large Ponds and 11 to 13 Gallons for the Small Ponds. Based on that assumption, the long-term Cost-Benefits should be evaluated against this later Maintenance Dosage of 12 Gallons for the Small ponds and 24 Gallons for the Large.