Recent advances in super-intensive, limited-discharge, bioflocs systems for the culture of Litopenaeus vannamei, suggest that these systems can be profitable in farming. These systems offer improved biosecurity with reduced risk of crop losses to viral disease outbreaks. Furthermore, operating these systems with no water exchange minimizes the negative effluent impact on receiving waters.

Implementing bioflocs technology to culture shrimp in ponds and reticulating systems could offer several advantages, including improvement of water quality and animal nutrition. There are two primary bioflocs technology systems that can be considered for shrimp culture. The first are in-situ bioflocs systems, where bioflocs form in the culture pond/tank along with the shrimp. The second are ex-situ bioflocs systems, in which effluent waters are diverted into a suspended-growth biological reactor where bioflocs are generated and subsequently can be used as an ingredient in shrimp feed. In-situ systems are currently in use, and ex-situ systems are in the developmental stage.

Each option (in-situ versus ex-situ) has unique benefits and limitations. For example, in-situ bioflocs systems, under proper conditions, can assimilate ammonia directly into microbial proteins, thereby preventing the accumulation of nitrate (from nitrification). Additional benefits are that the bioflocs provide nutrition directly to the shrimp. However, the downside is lack of control regarding manipulation of bioflocs nutritional profiles. Furthermore, in-situ bioflocs systems exert a high oxygen demand because oxygen is being used by both bioflocs and shrimp. With ex situ bioflocs systems, one has better control of flocs nutritional profiles and can manage the demand for oxygen by flocs and shrimp in separate tanks.

Bioflocs are a consortium of microorganisms, micro/macro invertebrates, filamentous organisms, exocellular polymers, and uneaten feed. This nutritious mixture has often proven to be beneficial for shrimp production. When bioflocs are included in shrimp diets, either directly from the water column or in a processed feed, shrimp often exhibit positive responses such as improved health and growth rates. Bioflocs might also reduce the amount of feed required and/or replace a particular ingredient (e.g., some bioflocs are rich in proteins and can be used to replace expensive marine meals). Bioflocs nutritional composition varies greatly depending on many variables, including sunlight, temperature, salinity, nutrient loading, carbon supplementation, residence times, oxygen levels, etc. In some cases, these variables can be controlled and can influence the nutritional profiles of bioflocs.

To conclude it is a must that the aeration in the ponds should be at a higher level as oxygen is required byboth by the animal and the bioflocs .Geekay hatcheries provide knowhow to provide bioflocs system more efficiently with introduction of aero grids and rout blowers.