RAS-500- small scale RAS laboratory facility for shrimps cultivation - the unit is able to treat ca. 500-1000 l. and the shrimp tank volume is ca. 500 l. RAS-500 consists of 3 separate tanks: water preparation tank, main unit (containing: electric cabinet, electronic cabinet, mechanical filtration, protein skimmer, UV and ozone sterilization, biological chamber, heating, filter sump, aeration) and a shrimp tank. There are two sets of the equipment specified and the sets differ in the biological filtration systems. Biological filtration in RAS 1 is typical wet/dry filtration (trickle filter). Biological filtration in RAS 2 is based on fluidized media fully submerged in the water column. Both systems are used simultaneously. The two sets work independently. It allows us check both filtration systems. The middle chamber in the RAS sump is designed to install, if needed, various chemical media. In the first RAS, equipped with trickle filter, the outlet from the biological chamber is located in the bottom of the chamber, so that filtration media is not submerged. In the second RAS, equipped with fluidized moving filtration media, the outlet from the biological chamber is located is the top, so that filtration media remains all the time submerged. The RAS has been designed in such a way, that evaporation of water is limited to minimum. The whole system has been designed and manufactured from corrosion and sea-water resistant materials. Gravity is used for water flow. Filter sump is located at the bottom of the RAS and the main two return pumps pump the water to the top of the unit. The rest of the flow has been designed is such a way, that no other pumps are needed. This helps to save on electricity cost for pumping of the water. Treated water flows into the shrimp tank. From the tank water flows back to the RAS sump through surface and bottom outflows. From the shrimp tank, water flows to the main unit. After mechanical cleaning of the water, the water flows to the skimmer chamber. After skimming, the water flows through the middle sump chamber. The last chamber is the main pump chamber. The pumps pump the water back to the biological chamber. For continuous control and monitoring of basic water parameters the system uses Aqua Medic AT-Control. The system is able to monitor and control through its programmable sockets temperature, pH, redox, and density.
Experiments in the following areas:
• Growth and nutritional value of Litopenaeus vannamei - experiments focused on the challenge to develop the potential of crustacean aquaculture focusing on combination of Litopenaeus vannamei and recirculating aquaculture technology (RAS)
• Nutritional value of the native and non-native shrimps from the Baltic Sea and their importance as a food source for humans or in future fish farms
• Aquaponic experiments with Litopenaeus vannamei and macroalgae - Algae scrubber experiments based on Baltic Sea water, and Litopenaeus vannamei culturing water, and selected strains of Ulva sp.
• Aquaponic experiment with Litopenaeus vannamei and microalgae - experiments focused on the selection of local strains that will grow efficiently using Litopenaeus vannamei culturing water as a medium
Academic education including undergraduate and graduate students trainings, summer schools for international students, study visits and students panels
Professional training including consultations with professionals, online training based on experimental work, seminars, webinars, and networking.