schooling fish swim in circles in the ocean in search of prey

Aquaculture

Your partner in sustainable land-based systems.

The Future of Sustainable Aquaculture

Aquaculture is rapidly evolving to meet the growing demand for sustainable food production, especially as more than 35% of the world's marine stocks are already overfished. Traditional net-pen farms face rising costs and regulatory challenges, making alternatives essential. There is a need for a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced aquaculture.

Controlled environment farming is rapidly becoming the industry standard. Key technologies like recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and hybrid flow-through methods reduce water usage and waste, allowing for flexible land-based farming near market locations. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on animal wellbeing, with advanced sensors and automation maintaining optimal water quality and environment health monitoring.

Best Practices for Reliable Performance

Ultrasonic Technology

Ultrasonic sensors with Doppler technology are non-invasive and ideal for measuring flow in corrosive and abrasive water with high particulate content, such as life support systems.

Wet-Tap Installation

Using wet-tap installation allows for maintenance without disrupting operations, making upkeep simple and convenient.

Hastelloy-C Electrodes

For sea water applications with higher dissolved oxygen levels, we recommend using Hastelloy-C electrodes instead of 316L stainless steel electrodes in sensors.

Diaphragm Valves

Diaphragm valves, with their low-turbulence geometry, are preferred for lines with oxygen oversaturated water. They are used to provide controlled, consistent flow rate.

Valve with Position Indicator

Using a valve with position indicator offers clear visual feedback of the true valve position, enhancing security with minimal effort and cost.

System Design

Optimizing a system involves more than just choosing the right components. Poor design choices, such as excessive 90° turns or fittings, can create backpressure, forcing pumps to operate at higher rates. Our skilled technical design team specializes in creating systems with optimized energy efficiency. among many other considerations.

What Our Customers Say

Fabio Brambilla

Nutrizionista ittico, NaturAlleva

"In recirculating aquaculture systems, continuous monitoring of water parameters is crucial. It is important to use advanced sensors that transmit real-time data to our central system. This level of control not only ensures an optimal environment for the fish but also represents a true innovation in the industry. GF Solutions for Process Automation represented the best choice for our specific needs." 

schooling fish swim in circles in the ocean in search of prey

Success Stories

Revolutionating Italian Fishery

NaturAlleva SpA, Italy

NaturAlleva, part of the VRM Group, is transforming the Italian fishery supply chain through innovative recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). These cutting-edge systems enable sustainable freshwater and saltwater fish farming with minimal environmental impact, utilizing advanced filtration and monitoring technologies. Through strategic material selection and expert support from the Center of Excellence in Agrate Brianza, NaturAlleva integrates valves and instruments that comply with Industry 4.0 standards, significantly reducing energy and water consumption at their facilities.

Fish Farming with the Smallest Possible Footprint

Andfjord Salmon AS, Norway 

Andfjord Salmon AS, a Norwegian fish farming company, has the ambition to create a sustainable, environmentally and fish-friendly onshore facility – with the smallest possible footprint. This patented facility combines the best from both traditional ocean net-pens and land-based salmon farming. The intake and outfall lines are built with highly durable Weholite PE pipes and panels with a 100-year life span.

 

Applications

Media Filtration

In aquaculture, fertigation involves the precise integration of nutrients into water systems to enhance the growth of aquatic plants and organisms. GF Piping Systems offers advanced fertigation solutions that minimize water waste and nutrient runoff, promoting healthy and sustainable aquaculture practices in both open-water and controlled greenhouse environments.

Transport Lines

Media filtration and ultrafiltration systems are essential for ensuring high water quality in aquaculture. GF Piping Systems delivers advanced solutions designed to remove impurities and contaminants from water, ensuring a clean and healthy environment for aquatic life, reducing maintenance, and meeting stringent environmental standards.

Process Cooling

Media filtration and ultrafiltration systems are essential for maintaining high water quality in aquaculture. GF Piping Systems offers advanced solutions designed to remove impurities and contaminants from water, ensuring a clean and healthy aquatic life environment. Our systems support sustainable aquaculture practices by reducing maintenance needs and meeting stringent environmental standards.

FAQs

What piping systems should be used for Aquaculture ?

In harsh aquatic environments, piping systems must withstand extreme conditions such as high humidity, salinity, and temperature fluctuations. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) piping is a preferred choice due to its corrosion resistance, flexibility, and durability in these environments. Additionally, pre-insulated piping systems like COOL-FIT are ideal for transporting heated or cooled fluids, offering superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency. These pre-insulated systems do not require additional working steps and feature a robust outer jacket that resists wear and tear, ensuring longevity in tough conditions. Also, as the insulation does not absorb moisture if can handle humid conditions.  PVC and polypropylene pipes are also suitable for aquaculture. They provide excellent chemical resistance and low maintenance requirements.

GF Piping system, with his superior material expertise, offer a wide range of solutions in various materials to meet specific process needs. Georg Fischer Piping is experienced in plastic systems since 1965. Our plastic systems, including piping, valves and  measurement solutions, are light in weight, corrosion free and designed to work long-term.  

Discover here more about our piping systems.

What actuators are better for Life Support Systems installations?

For Life Support System (LSS) installations in aquaculture, the best actuators are typically pneumatic and electric actuators, each offering distinct advantages depending on system requirements:
Pneumatic Actuators are robust and reliable in harsh environments, such as aquaculture systems exposed to moisture and corrosive elements. They are ideal for fast, repetitive movements and can function in extreme conditions where electric actuators may be compromised. Pneumatic actuators are mainly used for open/close applications where the valves have normally many open/close cycles. The operating speed can be regulated using throttle valves on the exhaust air.

Electric Actuators are ideal for precise control, easy automation, and integration with centralized control systems. They are energy-efficient, reliable, and suited for applications requiring frequent adjustments, like regulating water flow and oxygen levels in LSS systems. You are not required to have a compressor system, and for cold systems, they are preferred over pneumatic actuation that could cause damage to the piping system if the PPA torque is too fast or hard.

It is recommended to speak to the GF LSS experts to discuss your specific application.

Read more here on our actuation possibilities.

Which valves are to be preferred for flow control in Aquaculture ?

Right valve selection for Life Support System (LSS) depends on your requirements. Butterfly valves are typical in large dimensions up to 1200 mm in diameter. Ball valves are also common for open- and close function.

Diaphragm valves are the preferred choice for flow requlation since they provide better flow control than ball valves. This precision is critical in LSS, where maintaining stable flow and water quality is essential for fish health. Diaphragm valves have a sealed design that isolates the valve mechanism from the fluid, reducing the risk of contamination. They are also a preferred choice for handling slurries and fluids with solids, which can clog or damage ball valves. The diaphragm valves from GF Piping Systems have a linear flow characteristic. This property allows the diaphragm valves to be regulated very precisely. Furthermore, diaphragm valves from GF Piping Systems have a significantly lower pressure loss, which means that pump energy is saved significantly.

Read here more about GF Piping system diaphragm valve offering. 

Can Dissolved Oxygen (DO) be measured in line in LSS?

GF Dissolved Oxygen (DO)  sensor can be mounted submersed or in line with our installation fittings. The sensor can be connected to the building automation system or to a local transmitter.

Download the GF M&C catalog to learn more

Can all the sensors of one system be connected to a local component to set a local alarm if a central BMS system is unavailable?

The GF 9950 six-channel transmitter allows for 6 relays for each sensor. This is a nice solution for the LSS that helps to save costs on the readouts while increasing the aquatic life safety. The set-up can serve as local back-up for the central system or as a stand-alone in smaller set-ups. 

Read more here about the GF 9950 six channel transmitter.

Which are the top 5 methods to monitor water quality in an RAS?

Monitoring water quality in RAS (recirculating aquaculture system)  is essential. Key methods include:

  1. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Monitoring
  2. pH Monitoring
  3. Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, CO2 Monitoring
  4. Temperature Monitoring
  5. Salinity Monitoring
  6. Flow Monitoring
  7. Tank level sensing
  8. Pressure Monitoring

These methods ensure optimal water conditions, promoting fish health, efficient biofiltration, and stable system performance.

GF piping Systems has over 30 years of experience in liquid analysis solutions for aquaculture. Read more here.

 

How to save energy in land based fish farming?

Aquaculture can be sustainable if it is practiced responsibly. This includes using sustainable feed, minimizing pollution, protecting habitats, and promoting biodiversity.

Especially land-based aquaculture, such as RAS (recirculating aquaculture system) technology is promoted for its sustainability. Compared to net-pen farming the emissions to natural waters are controlled. On the other hand, controlled system increases the energy demand.

Pumps and temperature controllers are among the biggest energy consumers in land-based aquaculture. Selection of piping systems can contribute to the energy efficiency. GF piping systems excel having smooth inner surfaces with low friction losses. Reduced flow resistance results in energy saving in long-term pumping operations. Additionally, pre-insulated piping systems like COOL-FIT are ideal for transporting heated or cooled fluids, offering superior thermal insulation and energy efficiency. These pre-insulated systems do not require additional working steps and feature a robust outer jacket that resists wear and tear, ensuring longevity in tough conditions. Also, the insulation does not absorb moisture if can handle humid conditions. Speak to our experts to learn more. 

Georg Fischer Piping Systems Ltd

Ebnatstrasse 111

8201 Schaffhausen

Switzerland

GF logo on the headquarters building