How to Maintain Water Quality in Farmed Whiteleg Shrimp in Ponds
Are you planning to farm whiteleg shrimp in a pond? Make sure you know the ways to maintain the water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp.
Doing maintenance of water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp in a pond is a must. As the water in a pond is not merely H20, you need to make sure whether the content of the water in a pond is qualified and suitable enough for the shrimps. To make sure of the quality and suitability of the water, you can apply the following ways.
1. Check on the Nitrogen Intake
Water used for farming whiteleg shrimp should fulfill nitrogen intake. Checking the nitrogen intake in a pond is one of the requirements for having water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp.
The increase in nitrogen content may bring the disrupted quality and growth of whiteleg shrimp. The concentration of total ammonia nitrogen in water will limit the production of the shrimps. Therefore, you need to reduce the water renewal rate to minimize nutrients loss.
2. Limit Water Exchange
Changing the water in a pond frequently will result in a lack of whiteleg shrimp quality. To reduce the disadvantage of poor water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp, you need to limit the water exchange.
Water in a pond should contain a variety of microbial communities that will form bioforms or biofloc. Bioforms and biofloc are the natural diets for the shrimps. The limitation of water exchange enables you to minimize the pathogens as well as reduce the whiteleg shrimps’ disease outbreaks.
3. Have a Proper Bottom Environment Cleaning
The next step to maintain water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp in a pond is by having a proper bottom environmental cleaning. The changes in water parameters, like temperature, hardness, global oxygen delivery, and heavy rain, may affect the quality of water in a pond. Therefore, you need to have a proper bottom cleaning to prevent the shrimps from stress and eliminate virus carriers.
4. Maintain the Adequate Level of Dissolved Oxygen
Another way to keep the quality of water in a pond is by maintaining the adequate level of dissolved oxygen. Keeping the level of dissolved oxygen (DO2) is essential for shrimp survival and growth. Therefore, do the water exchange with fresh water by pumping it. Besides, you can utilize the wind action on the pond to facilitate oxygen diffusion and water movement.
5. Set the adequate pH
The pH and temperature in the water are essential for shrimp growth. Adequate pH and temperature indicate the potential productivity and shrimp fertility. The pond should contain water with the pH ranging from 7.5 to 9 and the temperature 25–30 degrees Celsius to optimize the shrimp production.
If the water in the pond has a lower pH, you can add limes. The purpose is to neutralize the acidity of the water. On the other hand, excessive pH (above 9) may cause harm to the growth and survival of the shrimps. When the condition occurs, exchange the water to minimize excessive plankton growth.
In conclusion, try these ways to maintain water quality in farmed whiteleg shrimp in a pond. Keep the quality of the water to avoid the shrimps from stress, disease, and death.
Sources:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284696070_Water_quality_requirements_and_management
http://www.fao.org/3/ac210e/AC210E09.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257519765_Water_quality_and_growth_of_Pacific_white_shrimp_Litopenaeus_vannamei_Boone_in_co-culture_with_green_seaweed_Ulva_lactuca_Linaeus_in_intensive_system
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jwas.12093
https://thefishsite.com/articles/cultured-aquatic-species-whiteleg-shrimp