RAS experts build feed research centre
MALTESE company AquaBioTech Group has completed a research facility in the Netherlands for the feed company Alltech Coppens.
The Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre, sited in Valkenswaard, comprises a number of state of the art recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) designed to run simultaneous nutrition trials for a variety of species.
Each RAS unit has been custom designed so feed trials can be carried out in both saltwater and freshwater conditions for species such as salmon, trout and catfish, with temperatures ranging from six to 28 deg C.
The facility consists of 60 tanks in four separate systems, with the option to pair these, making two larger systems for increased replication purposes.
The systems are designed to operate at commercial level stocking densities and include several additional features for ease of husbandry practices.
For example, a partial tank drainage system is incorporated into the small systems to allow for some tanks to drain and run at 50 per cent capacity, while retaining the water in the systems to increase water utilisation and energy consumption efficiencies.
The AquaBioTech Group, which has designed and built RAS systems for customers across the world, will provide remote technical support for the centre.